Joel Gallegos

Joel Gallegos is the Greenwich Professor of Practice in the School of Individualized Study at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). His academic work centers on experiential education, particularly through courses that examine civic engagement, social movements, and cultural resistance. He leads interdisciplinary studies that connect theoretical frameworks with real-world applications, including international fieldwork components.

Key teaching and research areas include:

• Civic resistance movements with Brazilian case studies
• Individualism's societal role and ethical responsibilities
• Place-space relationships in social contexts
• Experiential learning methodologies
• Interdisciplinary curriculum design

His signature course features a 2-week Brazil immersion where students analyze social movements, drawing parallels between Brazilian and American civic engagement models. Professor Gallegos also teaches foundational seminars on place-space theory and mentors students in capstone projects for individualized degree programs.