Locating ourselves in Queens

Dr. Johnathan Thayer is Assistant Professor at the Graduate School of Library and Information Studies, Queens College, CUNY, where he is Coordinator of the MLS/MA Dual Degree in Library Science and History. He is the former Coordinator of the Advanced Certificate in Archives and currently teaches courses in Archival Studies, Public History, and Community-Engaged Local History. His current book project is titled Preserving Maritime New York City: Engaging Public History in the Port of New York and New Jersey (under contract with SUNY Press).

 

Caitlin Colban-Waldron (she/her) is a Queens College archivist and teaches courses about archives as an adjunct instructor in the Queens College Graduate School of Library and Information Studies.

 

 

 

Norka Blackman-Richards has dedicated decades to higher education, focusing on creating anti-racist, equity-focused spaces and movements. She has spent over twenty years at Queens College of the City University of New York, supporting student success. Currently, she serves as the Director of the Percy Ellis Sutton SEEK program at Queens College, one of the oldest opportunity programs in the United States, and she also lectures in English Composition. Her commitment to ensuring academic success for students from challenging backgrounds is a hallmark of her work. 

Her work as an advocate, curator, and leader has been recognized with multiple awards, including the 2025 New York City & State’s Trailblazers in Higher Education, the Queens College 2023 Inaugural Presidential Award for Diversity and Inclusion (Dr. Frank H. Wu), the 2019 Presidential Award for Excellence in Service (Dr. Felix O. Matos Rodriguez) , and The Jewel of Queens College Award in 2014 (Dr. Evangelos J. Gizis). 

Blackman-Richards is a published writer and speaker on Black Women, Justice, Equity, and first-generation low-income student success in higher education. She holds degrees in Nonfiction Writing (M.F.A), English Language Teaching Education (M. Ed), Business Administration with a minor in Personnel Administration (B. Sc), and is currently completing a degree in Trauma-informed Pedagogies in Higher Ed (EdD). 

 

Lizandra Friedland is the Associate Director for Survey Research, where she leads the design, implementation, and analysis of campus surveys and the collection of key student and alumni data. In this role, she aims to promote a deeper understanding of our community’s experiences and development through cohort studies, impact evaluation studies, needs assessment, and other projects.  

A first-generation graduate and QC alum, collaborating with fellow faculty and staff on student-centered initiatives is the highlight of her work. Lizandra has been with Queens College since 2011 and holds master’s degrees in Data Analytics and Applied Social Research, and in Philosophy. Outside the OIE, Lizandra teaches in the Philosophy department where she guides her students through the fascinating world of formal logic. 

 

Dean Savage, Queens College Department of Sociology, 1971-2019. After initially working on organizations and entrepreneurs,  my interests shifted to problems related to higher education, particularly at the City University of New York; I have conducted research projects and campaigns on PhD placements, student employment patterns, teaching evaluations, starting salaries of new faculty at CUNY colleges, outcomes in terms of further education, salaries, and placements of baccalaureate and master’s graduates of Queens College, among others.   These interests blended naturally with my involvement with teaching and service:   departmental chair five times (1979-1982, 1985, 1997, 2001-2003, 2003-2006), Chair of the Academic Senate 2006-2010, and an active member of the Queens College Academic Senate and the CUNY Faculty senate for several decades. In 1993, I was one of the first winners of the Teacher of the Year Award. In retirement, I have continued to work on projects related to student outcomes and also on the Queens College Oral History collection.