All

Pronouns: he | him | his

Douglas Cantor holds a Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Chicago with specializations in Urban Politics, American Politics, and Public Law. He also holds a M.A. in Legal Studies from the University of Baltimore, a B.A. from Rutgers University in Political Science, and an A.A. in Journalism from Brookdale University. He has taught at Northern Illinois University, California State University – Long Beach, and Loyola Marymount University. Within the Public Law and Urban Politics realms, his research interests include municipal reform, water politics, privatization, and Constitutional law. At Rutgers, Dr. Cantor’s course offerings include Law and Politics, Urban Politics, Law and Society, Constitutional Law, Courts and Public Policy, as well as seminars on topics such as Water Politics and Housing Segregation.

His book, Term Limits and the Modern Era of Municipal Reform published with Routledge Publishing in the Spring of 2024. His next book, Pipe Dreams: The Politics of Lead and Water in U.S. Cities, is set to publish in 2026.

Pronouns: she | her | hers

Kristen W. Springer is Associate Professor of Sociology at Rutgers University (PhD, University of Wisconsin-Madison, 2006; MA, Yale University, 2000; MPH, Emory University, 1997; BS, University of California at Santa Cruz). Professor Springer’s scholarship focuses broadly on gender and health, prioritizing the intersection of social and biological influences. Her current research explores how the anti-transgender legislative climate harms health access for transgender youth, with a particular focus on how youth of color are affected. Other recent areas of research include: 1) experimental studies of biosocial reactions to masculinity threats; 2) conceptual and methodological interventions for how to best research gender and health using biosocial and intersectional frameworks; and 3) quantitative analyses on masculinity ideals, socioeconomic status, marriage, and men’s health. She has published in journals including American Journal of Sociology, American Journal of Public Health, Gender & Society, Journal of Health and Social Behavior, Journal of Marriage and Family, Social Science & Medicine, and Social Science Research. Professor Springer’s research has also been featured in national and international news sources including ABC News, LA Times, The New York Times, US News & World Report, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today. She teaches classes on research methods, family, gender, and biosociology.

Ashley Polselli assists current students in academic and career planning. Before joining the Honors College team, Ashley worked in a variety of positions focused on academic coaching, advising, and undergraduate admissions. Previously, Ashley served in the role of a Navigation Coach at Rider University, an Associate Director of Undergraduate Admissions at Immaculata University, and an Admissions Counselor at Manor College. She earned both her M.S. in Management and Leadership and B.A. in Psychology from Immaculata University. Ashley is dedicated to supporting students to reach their full potential as they achieve their academic and career goals.  

Pronouns: she / her / hers

Marline Souffrant is dedicated to guiding Douglass-Honors College students as they pursue various academic and career opportunities through event programming and one-on-one advisement. As the program coordinator, Marline serves the Douglass-Honors College Community and students participating in the Douglass Faculty Fellows cohort for DRC-HC students. Before taking on this role, Marline devoted herself to serving the local community by working at a non-profit organization that promoted positive lifestyle choices. She earned her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from Rutgers University in 2023. Additionally, she is a Douglass alumna.

Pronouns: she | her | hers
_{Photo by Andreas Eggenberger}

Anette Freytag is a Professor for the History and Theory of Landscape Architecture at Rutgers University (Doctor of Sciences, ETH Zurich 2011 with ETH Medal for Outstanding Scientific Research; Mag. phil. University of Vienna 1998, Cand. phil. University of Vienna 1994). Dr. Freytag’s research investigates designed landscapes from the 19th century to the contemporary practice with a focus on topology, phenomenology, and walking. In 2019, she co-founded the Arts Integration Research Collaborative (AIR), which prioritizes creative placemaking to foster spatial justice through projects that seek safe access to nature for all. Currently, she works on a manual on walking in suburbia that addresses planners, policy makers, and legislators. Dr. Freytag is the author of The Landscapes of Dieter Kienast (J. B. Jackson Book Prize 2022), and The Gardens of La Gara (European Garden Book Award 2019), other books, and numerous papers. Her research was funded by the Rutgers Research Council, the Volkswagen Foundation, the Lucius and Annemarie Burckhardt Foundation, the Christoph Merian Foundation and private donors. Apart from her work in academia, Anette Freytag founded the research bureau ville.jardin.paysage in 2001 and delivered a number of highly regarded studies that contributed to the inscription of architectural ensembles on the UNESCO World Heritage list or on National or Regional Heritage lists. She teaches classes on Landscape History and Theory; The Power of Walking and Listening; Theories in Landscape Architecture, The Total Work of Art – When Art and Life, House and Garden Become One; Music, Sound, and Landscape (a co-taught Byrne Seminar).