Fulbright Scholar Stany Thomas in residence
Fall term 2011 Political Science Professor Visits PCC
During Fall term 2011, Dr. Stany Thomas will spend the term at PCC. Check this web page for announcements of a reception for Professor Thomas, as well as classroom lectures, presentations, etc. that he will be doing throughout the district.
- What:
- Welcome Reception for Stany Thomas
- Date:
- October 7th, 2011
- Time:
- 3pm - 4:30pm
- Location:
- SE Campus, The Great Hall. Refreshments will be provided
Dr. Stany Thomas is the first Fulbright Scholar to be assigned to Portland Community College in the 50-year history of PCC. He earned his Ph.D. from Mahatma Gandhi University (in Kottayam, Kerala, India) with a thesis entitled: The Politics of Higher Education in Kerala, A Study of the Politics of Reform: 1957-1987
Dr. Thomas is the published author of numerous papers ranging in focus from Education Reforms to Human Rights in India, including issues relating to Intellectual Property, the Impact of the British Raj on Indian Education, and many other policy concerns. He has participated in over 20 seminars and workshops reflecting a wide variety of research interests. These areas of interest include: Women`s Studies, Globalization, Human Rights in India & Beyond, Marxism in Indian Politics, and more general teaching areas like: Comparative Politics, Indian Government & Politics, American Government & Politics, Comparative Federalism, Public Policy Analysis, and The Politics of Higher Education.
Dr, Thomas currently serves on the Political Science faculty of St. Thomas College (Pala), a Syrian Christian/Catholic institution (that is affiliated with Mahatma Gandhi University) which has an enrollment of over 2,000 students reflecting a wide diversity of religious and economic backgrounds. He has over 15 years of full-time teaching experience at Pre Degree (pre-college), Degree (undergraduate B.A.) and Postgraduate (M.A.) levels. Dr. Thomas also serves on many committees which help set course and syllabus requirements for curriculum affecting tens of thousands of students throughout the Mahatma Gandhi University system. He will be contributing to the expansion of American Studies Programs throughout India upon his return.
In his life beyond academia, Stany has many extended family responsibilities, including being a devoted husband, father to a teenage son and two daughters, and caretaker of a family estate which includes rubber trees and a great variety of fruit trees (produce from which are shared with neighbors including those without land). Stany is active in Syrian Church affairs, and also devotes time to community activities associated with alternative education programs, national volunteer service, and treatment centers relating to drug and alcohol abuse. Although not a vegetarian, the sensitivity Stany shows towards those who are Hindu or Muslim has him generally avoiding pork and makes him quite satisfied with vegetarian meals.