Alfred Frederick

Dr. Alfred (Al) Frederick was a Distinguished Service Professor at SUNY Oswego, specializing in cross-cultural pedagogy and multicultural education. He joined the university in 1985 and pioneered its multicultural education programs, emphasizing culturally relevant teaching methods rooted in Edward Austin Sheldon’s object learning philosophy. Fluent in English, French, and Portuguese, he held six Fulbright scholarships and significantly impacted education in Benin and Brazil. His legacy includes developing SUNY Oswego’s first Africa-focused study abroad program (2008) and earning Brazil’s 'Citizen of Piauí' title (2017).

Education:

• Bachelor’s Degree: Northern Illinois University
• Master’s Degree: Columbia University
• Doctorate: University of Brussels
• Postdoctoral Work: Harvard University

Research Focus: Culturally responsive education, intercultural communication, and bridging cultural divides in school systems. His work emphasized leveraging students’ cultural backgrounds to enhance academic engagement and self-esteem.

Awards & Recognition:

• 2015 Outstanding International Educator Award (Syracuse International Center)
• 2009 Syracuse Post-Standard Achievement Award
• Benin’s National Honor (2020)

Grants & Initiatives: Led SUNY Oswego’s Benin educational partnerships, establishing transnational academic collaborations. Promoted immersive cultural experiences for students through guest lectures and community activities.

Labs/Teams: Core member of the College of Education’s multicultural curriculum development team, influencing teacher training programs globally.