Ryan Alan Smith

Ryan Alan Smith is a Professor in the Department of Public Affairs at the Marxe School of Public and International Affairs, Baruch College, City University of New York (CUNY), teaching courses including Public Personnel & HRM and Managing Cultural Diversity through Spring 2025.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Sociology (Social Stratification and Race/Ethnic Relations), University of California, Los Angeles
• M.S. in Sociology (African American Studies minor), University of Wisconsin-Madison
• B.A. in Sociology (Psychology minor), University of Pennsylvania

Dr. Smith's research centers on race/ethnic/gender workplace stratification, American racial attitudes, and religion's functional role during existential crises. His interdisciplinary work bridges sociology, public policy, and organizational behavior, with empirical analyses published in top journals like American Sociological Review and Social Problems, directly informing diversity initiatives across sectors.

His publication trajectory shows sustained focus on workplace inequality, expanding to examine religious coping in extreme contexts (e.g., death row inmates) and global phenomena like Latin American colorism, reflecting both depth in structural inequality and adaptability to emerging social challenges.

Major recognitions include:

• Nomination for Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Teaching (2019)
• Lillie and Nathan Ackerman Chair of Social Justice (2015)
• Presidential Excellence Award for Distinguished Scholarship (2005)
• W.E.B. Du Bois Institute Fellowship, Harvard University (2002)
• National Science Foundation Graduate Fellowship (1989)

Research funding includes multiple PSC-CUNY grants for projects like 'Racioethnic Differences in Religion During Imminent Death' (2017-2018) and 'Managing For Diversity' (2009-2012). University service spans the Research Committee and DEI/Social Justice Search Committee (Chair, 2022-present), while external impact includes diversity workshops for AT&T, Prudential, and the NYPD on evidence-based inclusion strategies.

He leads collaborative initiatives including the 'Corporate Environmental Scan: Best Practices in Diversity' and develops training programs for public/nonprofit sectors, with ongoing book projects examining workplace power structures and forgiveness sociology.