Spoken Word, Bespoke Music is the culmination of an innovative class sponsored by the Teaching and Learning Center. It was designed and taught by spoken word poet Dr. Crystal Endsley (2016 and 2021 Distinguished Teaching Prize winner) and NY-Emmy award-winning composer Joseph Neidorf. John Jay Honors students Rae Ross (Forensic Psychology) and Brian Wade (Law and Anthropological Psychology) used the creative process as a research method to investigate the multilayered impacts of art as a form of resistance. Their poems are influenced by the interviews they conducted, published literature they found and their lived experiences. Throughout the writing process, they developed original music to accompany their poems, which will intricately inform listeners’ experiences. Special thanks to Dr. Gina Foster (director of the Teaching and Learning Center), who provided the educational vision and tireless advocacy that made this endeavor possible.

by Tomasita Ortiz, PhD

June 2025

I was at a bodega at the soda bottle fridge. It had a self-pushing dispenser; when you pull out one bottle, the rest in line shimmy forward. The customer in front of me had pulled out one, changed their mind, and shoved that bottle back in, pushing the rest of those bottles back. They selected one bottle from another brand of drinks and one bottle from yet another lane. 

I realized that’s what I tended to do with my writing. How often did I start on a writing task and then dismiss it or push it back in order to tend to other, more pressing, duties?

As faculty, carving out time to write during the academic year can be a challenge.

Faculty workload and/or research schedules are demanding and must be balanced with teaching requirements. Collecting data for research studies; reading the literature; attending conferences; facilitating or participating in workshops; program management and assessment; weekly lesson planning; student consultations; addressing student issues; student mentorship; meetings; emails and emails (it’s crazy how long it can take to respond to just one!); grading…. There are more I did not name. And, there’s also family life and self-care. These bottles need to be grabbed with frequency during fall and spring semesters, making it more likely to postpone writing projects. 

So, while managing faculty responsibilities, how do we make the time to write as is our duty – our profession and our calling? We write – sounds that form memories or ideas – to effect change.  And now, as ever, we should use the power of words to raise empathy, to advance knowledge, and to challenge inequities. Make the time to write.

I proposed The Write Space, a virtual writing community for John Jay faculty to convene in an informal space and commit to writing for an hour and a half each week, without interruptions. Thankfully, Deputy Chair Tim McCormack and the then Chair Jean Mills of the Department of English supported the idea of collaborating with the Teaching and Learning Center (TLC) in order to encourage faculty from across disciplines to join. Angela Crossman, Dean of Faculty, and Gina Rae Foster, Director of the TLC, saw the utility of the program and swiftly helped implement it. 

Gina and I collaborated on all aspects to pilot The Write Space and co-host the writing sessions. This past spring 2025 saw the launch of the program with 17 registrants from across departments, 11 of which remained as participants for the entire semester. (Those who couldn’t attend indicated that ultimately they had scheduling conflicts.) Together with Gina and me, we formed a virtual writing community of 13.

And we each set individual writing goals on scholarly and creative projects: journal articles, essay writing, grant or conference proposals, monograph or dissertation chapters, fiction writing, journaling, and more. Topics ranged from research on “the wheelchair as a magnet for bullying” and research on “culturally responsive teaching strategies in library instruction” to a short story set during the Cold War and daily journaling.

After briefly sharing objectives, we started writing with mics muted and cameras cut. A parallel write of sorts.

Even now, I feel that intense energy that radiates from my core out through my chest and arms and fingertips as I sit to write. Sometimes it’s a nervous energy, one that fills me with doubt, hesitation, and stills my fingers. Sometimes it’s lighter, brighter, an excitement that pumps me up to tickle the keyboard. Both are welcome when I sit to write because they are part of the process. And to be able to share this with others who are writing at the same time is exhilarating.

From the Department of Modern Languages and Literatures, Associate Professor of Legal Translation and Interpreting Aída Martínez-Gómez stated that “writing can be very isolating, but being in this virtual writing community helped diminish that isolation and made me feel that I wasn’t alone.” In fact, the post-survey administered to participants revealed that 90% of respondents valued writing in community. 

Everyone’s mere presence inspired us toward our writing goals. At the end of each session, the opportunity to briefly share one’s experience – to share a struggle or success – is cathartic, just as writing itself. It is also a moment for faculty to reflect on their writing needs while getting emotional support from the team. And what a great spring ‘25 team it was, from the peppy applauders to the silent supporters. The quiet team members were as much a comfort as the more voluble ones, each becoming a necessary support.

“I was intimidated with the idea of joining a writing group in general,” expressed Jocelyn Castillo, Assistant Professor and Information Literacy Librarian, “but listening to others share their experiences with writing helped me reflect and not only see a support system, but also understand that writing is a process. I was able to strategize and to move forward in my writing journey while holding myself accountable.”

Jodie G. Roure, JD, PhD, is Associate Professor in the Department of Latin American & Latinx Studies and Founding Director of the CUNY BMI Rising Scholars of Justice Program. Jodie stated, “The Write Space reminded me that writing does not have to happen alone. We need a place to cheer. We need a place to be cheered. In that space, I found clarity, compassion, and structured time.” Although the writing tasks (brainstorming, organizing, drafting, revising, reading for writing, online and library research) were still individual and within our own physical spaces, being part of this virtual space helped us commit and connect.

Toward the end of the semester, some faculty also provided motivational words on writing. Like our colleagues from the Department of Political Science: Associate Professor Jim Cauthen shared, “Just start writing, even if it is incoherent;” and Associate Professor Susan Kang wrote, “The best way to start writing is to make it an obligation in your calendar, same as a meeting or an appointment you can’t miss, make it ‘busy’ on your calendar, and treat it like a non-negotiable commitment.”

Ultimately, we made the commitment to “show up.” We created the space and the time to write.

What’s more, half of the faculty indicated they had scheduled an additional day to write or had dedicated additional hours later in the day to fulfill their writing commitments during the business week. One faculty member indicated going “from never writing to writing weekly.” As such, The Write Space helps establish healthy and productive writing habits.

And significant accomplishments were made with writing projects that were workshopped during the spring ‘25 sessions. Faculty revised and submitted book chapters by deadline; faculty proposed book chapters that were accepted; faculty revised journal articles from editorial comments; faculty wrote and submitted conference proposals that were accepted; faculty wrote pitch letters and submitted short stories for consideration; and faculty advanced research studies.

We grabbed the bottle and felt sated, our palates hooked.

So we’re looking forward to the fall 2025 sessions! The Write Space will increase to 2-hour sessions per week. We welcome John Jay faculty to join The Write Space and write in community. Look out for registration info in August.

_______________

Dr. Tomasita Ortiz, Department of English, teaches first-year writing. She created and is co-host of JJC’s The Write Space.

Talks

Update on our ongoing 2025-2030 strategic planning process

Thurs Mar 27, 1:40-2:50pm,

Location: L.63 or Zoom (ID: 893 8708 7501; Passcode: 250622).

Hear about work that has been completed so far, opportunities to provide input, upcoming important dates, and recent accomplishments associated with our 2020-2025 strategic plan.

Questions? Contact Christopher Shults at cshults@jjay.cuny.edu.

 

Workshops

Workshop on Academic Freedom

The University Faculty Senate Academic Freedom Committee

Fri, Mar 28, 2-3 p.m.

Topics will include: what Academic Freedom is, its history, how it plays out at CUNY and how to protect it. A 25-minute presentation, followed by Q&A.

Register in advance: https://bmcc-cuny.zoom.us/meeting/register/98VtZLY0QYm11NlpzY_XBw.

Questions to Prof. Hollis Glaser (HGlaser@bmcc.cuny.edu) or Prof. Beth Evans (Bevans@brooklyn.cuny.edu), Co-Chairs, UFS Academic Freedom Committee.

 

Credit for Prior Learning Professional Development Series

Friday, March 21 & Friday, March 28, 9 am – 1 pm

Virtual

Faculty across CUNY are invited to participate in a 2-part professional development workshop by the Council on Adult and Experiential Learning.

See eligibility criteria and apply via this online form

Deadline: Friday, March 7

 

Faculty Leadership and Innovation Fellows Program

The Faculty Leadership and Innovation Fellows Program aims to increase the pipeline of faculty who are prepared to thrive in academic leadership roles at CUNY.

Deadline: Mon, Apr 7, 11:59pm.

Applications must be submitted here by 11:59pm on April 7, 2025.

The application and more details can be found at https://www.cuny.edu/academics/faculty-affairs/faculty-fellows/2025-2026/

 

Conference

2025 CUNY Teaching & Learning Conference

April 3 (virtual) and April 4 (in person at the Graduate Center)

Click here for Registration.

Please see the Website for more information.

Contact:  CUNYTLConference@cuny.edu

 

Events & Opportunities 2025 CUNY Teaching & Learning Conference (registration open) Thursday, April 3 (virtual) Friday, April 4 (in person at the Graduate Center) Please see the Website for more information and for Registration. Email questions to CUNYTLConference@cuny.edu.   The Write Space Facilitators: Tomasita Ortíz and Gina Rae Foster Zoom Thursdays, 9:30am – 11am (2/27, 3/13, 3/20, 3/27, 4/3, 4/10, 4/24 & 5/1)  All interested faculty members are invited to join The Write Space – an informal, virtual writing community. Commit to writing for 90 minutes online every week, without interruptions! Initial session to include virtual introductions. Subsequent writing sessions will end with 5 to 10 minutes to share progress. Sign up here: https://forms.gle/dyHzDxr9o8nLLrJu7.  Deadline: Monday, February 24   Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards Call for Applications! Each year, the Office of Student Research & Creativity awards 3 or 4 Outstanding Faculty Mentor Awards to recognize faculty providing exceptional mentoring of students in scholarly research or creative work. Application deadline: April 15th. Awards are: Junior Mentor Award (within first 6 years as a mentor; $1200), Senior Mentor Award ($1500) and Lifetime Mentor Achievement Award (biennially; $2000). Faculty formally self-nominate and submit all materials, but students (including graduate students) and colleagues should encourage role models and peers to apply. For more information, go to jjay.cuny.edu/faculty-mentor-award and/or see flier below.

Workshops & Webinars Exploring Generative AI Visual Literacy and Creativity in Pedagogical Environments Presenters: Michael Mandiberg (CSI) & Ximena Gallardo (LGCC).   Virtual Friday, Feb 21, 11am-noon Explore how to develop digital literacy and visual literacy skills (ours and our students’) in light of the availability of generative artificial intelligence tools capable of producing text and image-based content. Register here.   IMSSC Listening Session A session to share any concerns your department may be facing in supporting immigrant students and to explore how the Immigrant Student Success Center can help.  Presenter: Denise Vivar, Manager, Immigrant Student Success Center Fri, Feb 21, 1:40-3pm Zoom: Register here   The Fourteenth Amendment: A History of Birthright Citizenship and Current Challenges Presenters: Dean Ringel (History; Humanities & Justice) and Jodi Ziesemer (New York Legal Assistance Group) Co-sponsors: History and Humanities & Justice Thursday, Feb 27, 3:05-4:20pm 630 Haaren Hall   Leaders of Justice: Celebrating Black History Month President Mason in conversation with The Honorable Andrea Stewart-Cousins Thurs, Feb 27, 4:30pm.  Zoom Register here Questions to externalaffairs@jjay.cuny.edu.   35th Malcom/King Awards Breakfast Fri, Feb 28, 8:45am, 4th Floor Gym, Haaren Hall To register and/or donate, Click Here

Brightspace Open Q & A (webinar) DOES LMS How to Webinar Wednesday, February 19, 2pm-3pm. Zoom Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/86250000369?pwd=RbVwpUZhiz4XKLjsIZHBy208MGFAza.1 Meeting ID: 862 5000 0369;  Passcode: 104045 Advance registration not required, but please use your John Jay Zoom account for security (for help with Zoom, contact DOIT Help Desk at helpdesk@jjay.cuny.edu or 212.238.8200).

 

 

Events Campus-wide “Know Your Rights” Session Monday, February 24, 1:40-3pm Zoom Register here.     College Faculty/Staff Meeting Monday, Feb 10, 1:40-2:55pm New Building, L.61     Pop-Up Library Tuesday, February 11, 1:40-2:55pm New Building Atrium Snacks and books and librarians will be there – all free! Details in the Library calendar     Town Hall Tuesday, February 11, 1:40-2:55pm L.61NB (also Zoom: ID 829 1018 3891; code 693739)

Workshops & Webinars Human Rights Law, Anti-Black Racism and Other Forms of Discrimination Based on Race and Color (workshop) NYC Commission on Human Rights Tuesday, February 11, 10am-12pm Zoom Register here or email Henry Cruz, hecruz@jjay.cuny.edu.

Brightspace Open Q & A (webinar) DOES LMS How to Webinar Wednesday, February 19, 2pm-3pm.Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/86250000369?pwd=RbVwpUZhiz4XKLjsIZHBy208MGFAza.1 Meeting ID: 862 5000 0369;  Passcode: 104045 Advance registration not required, but please use your John Jay Zoom account for security (for help with zoom, contact DOIT Help Desk at helpdesk@jjay.cuny.edu or 212.238.8200).

 

Food for Thought lunch.

Monday, Feb 3, 1:30-2:45pm, Faculty/Staff Dining Room (2^nd floor NB).

Join us for lunch with colleagues, hosted by Law & Police Science speakers Peter Moskos & Gloria Browne-Marshall. 

Lunch is on us.

RSVP here by Thurs, Jan 30. 

 

Panel Discussion & Opera

Tuesday, Feb 4, 1:45pm, Moot Court (6.68NB).

Join us for a discussion with four exonerees portrayed in BLIND INJUSTICE, a book and new opera that follows the Ohio Innocence Project’s efforts to overturn wrongful convictions.

Opening remarks by Distinguished Professor Saul Kassin (PSY). The opera will be performed in the Rose Theater (Columbus Circle) on Feb 3 & 4 – discounted tickets are available.

After the Feb 4th performance, Saul Kassin will be part of a talk back with Barry Scheck. 

RSVP by January 31: externalaffairs@jjay.cuny.edu

 

Brotherhood University: Black Men’s Friendships and the Transition to Adulthood

Library Author Series, Spring 2025

Brandon Jackson (Sociology)

Wednesday, Feb. 5, 1:40-3pm, 2^nd floor Library classroom

RSVP: https://BrotherhoodUniversity.eventbrite.com

 

Resources for Scholarship & Creative Activity

Faculty FIRST FRIDAY

Friday, Feb 7, 1:30-3pm,

with OAR and Library colleagues in the TLC (335 HH).

Angela will order pizza so please let her know if you are coming (apfaculty@jjay.cuny.edu).

 

College Faculty/Staff Meeting

Monday, Feb 10, 1:40-2:55pm, L.61.

 

Upcoming Workshops

Latinx Pedagogies: Teaching & Learning with Latinx Students at John Jay Faculty-led DEI Workshop with Belinda Rincon & Justino Rodriguez Monday, Feb 3, 1:30-3:30PM.  Zoom: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/87092610636?pwd=FLHEZuHO6U4WQ5aCb8UwGmSppB03ZM.1 Meeting ID: 870 9261 0636;  Passcode: 364732.

Funded Opportunities

a.      Request for Proposals!  From BRES Collaboration Hub:  Seed Grant Program for CUNY faculty who have not received BRES funding & Doctoral Fellowship Awards for first-year PhD students (AY 2024-25). Questions to Allen Hillery ALLEN.HILLERY23@login.cuny.edu

– BRES Research Seed Grant Awards: Deadline: Fri, Feb 14, 5pm. Application Form. 
Info Sessions:  Mon, Feb 3, 12-1 pm. Register here. Fri, Feb 7, 10-11 am. Register here.

– BRES Doctoral Fellowship Awards: Deadline: Fri, Feb 14, 5 pm. Application Form.
Info Session: Mon, Feb. 3, 12-1 pm. Register to attend here.

 

b.      Call for Nominations! The John Jay Distinguished Faculty Service to the College Award. Nominations may be submitted by faculty or staff. Deadline – Feb 15: Nomination Form. Questions to Angela Crossman at apfaculty@jjay.cuny.edu.

 

c.       Call for Award Applications! OAR invites full-time faculty to apply for The Faculty Scholarly Excellence Award and The Donal E.J. MacNamara Junior Faculty Award. The linked document details eligibility criteria and application guidelines. Please contact OAR at oar@jjay.cuny.edu with questions. Applications due by Thurs, Feb 20.  

 

d.      Call for Nominations!  The Faculty Service to Students Award. Nominations due on or before Feb 21. Submit a one-page nomination letter outlining reasons a faculty member deserves the award to Michael Lee, milee@jjay.cuny.edu.

 

e.      Funding is available for full-time faculty to engage in professional development, such as through the NCFDD Faculty Success Program (Summer 2025; apply for funds by Feb 15), research trainings or pedagogical development opportunities. Application form here:  Faculty Opportunity Fund.  Questions to Angela Crossman (apfaculty@jjay.cuny.edu).  

CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy (CITA)

click here for CITA professional development opportunities

Events

Faculty Development Day (1/24/25): How, When and Where Do We Realize the Work of Justice?  RSVP here:  https://forms.gle/anWgEJ8vtT1otJdH9. Full program here: https://jjayfdd.commons.gc.cuny.edu/spring-2025-faculty-development-day-program-overview/

Upcoming Workshops

Harassing vs. Hurtful Speech: Classroom Conflict Management Tuesday, January 14, 10am-11:30am. With Gabriela Leal (Compliance & Diversity) and Maria Volpe (Sociology).   Meeting ID: 851 5903 4816; Passcode: 529180. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/85159034816?pwd=AYyXW4OJjfDKQh8GWvHeJh6Sx8PLh7.1    Accessibility & Brightspace Wednesday, January 15, 11:30am-1pm. With Helen Keier (DOES LMS).   Meeting ID: 821 8070 5579; Passcode: 252097. Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/82180705579?pwd=zWrEraSbSc6aCkLujpitaknhczqprr.1 Overview of the City Human Rights Law Thursday, January 16, 10am-11:30am. NYC Commission on Human Rights.   Meeting ID: 856 6443 3559; Passcode: 276509.  Link: https://jjay-cuny.zoom.us/j/85664433559?pwd=6rupcLQfdxS3blSo91ZhB2ZrRQL2qA.1

Funded Opportunities

Call for Proposals!  Future-Ready Gen Z: Closing Gaps with Pro-skills Workshops. First Year Programs at SASP invite JJ faculty to design and lead hands-on workshops to equip first- and second-year students with practical, widely applicable, career-ready skills in spring 2025. See details at this link.  Participants receive 15 paid, non-teaching adjunct hours for workshop design and delivery.  To Apply. Submit proposals by Mon, Jan 13 through this LINK. Questions to Nancy Yang, nyang@jjay.cuny.edu.   Call for Participants!  Landmark Cases Faculty Lab, Spring 2025. JJ’s Office of Academic Programs invites interdisciplinary faculty to develop syllabi and assignments for 300-level Landmark Cases courses. To participate, email Wynne Ferdinand (wferdinand@jjay.cuny.edu) by Fri, Jan 17 with course preference and confirmation of your ability to attend meetings and complete deliverables. Compensation: $2000.   Call for Applications!  TLC Spring Funded Faculty Seminar applications  There are two seminar options (described below). Approximately $600 compensation for seminar completion (subject to funding policies).   Universal Design for Learning (UDL) Seminar Claudia Zuluaga Investigate how to create learning environments that are accessible to all students, regardless of ability and/or learning style. Faculty will be introduced to UDL with an emphasis on how to create equity in classrooms, remove barriers to success, empathize with our students, understand common obstacles to learning, and empower everyone to work from their strengths. During class sessions and via asynchronous assignments, we will work collaboratively to improve our learning environments so that all students can succeed.  Dates & times (in person ONLY):  Thurs, Feb 27; Tues, Mar 25; and Thurs, Apr 24: all @ 1:40-2:55pm.  Application link: https://forms.gle/ZyUDFXwkCeHR4yPa7.  Deadline: Fri, Jan 31, 11:59pm ET.   Navigating Challenging Conversations in the Classroom Seminar Alessandra Early and Nicole McKenna.  As criminal justice professors, we often cover controversial topics while navigating challenging macro-dynamics (e.g., global pandemic, warfare, police brutality). Our students are learning in these environments and many of us are asking, “how do I talk about this with my students?” Over three seminar sessions, we will identify materials or issues that are challenging to teach, improve our discussion-based facilitation skills, and increase confidence in navigating challenging conversations. Developed for faculty interested in developing resources to guide students, and themselves, through challenging conversations.  Dates & times (in person ONLY):  Tuesdays, 2/25, 3/25, 4/22; all @ 1:40-2:55 pm.  Application link: https://forms.gle/nqUZenDBaJw1un8W7.  Deadline: Fri, Jan 31, 11:59pm ET    Call for Proposals:  Next-Gen Learning: Integrate AI, Civic Engagement, or Sustainability into Pathways initiative. Information and proposal form here. Deadline: Feb 4. Consult with your provost for approval of your submission.  Questions: Michael.Guy@cuny.edu.

CUNY Innovative Teaching Academy (CITA)

click here for CITA professional development opportunities

We maintain files and recordings for past seminars and workshops!

Please click here to explore recent workshop resources.

Please click here to explore recent seminar resources.