Faculty Profiles 
Patricia RubioValparaiso, Chile Chair, Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures “Foreign language acquisition is central to the experience and understanding of other cultures. High enrollments in Skidmore’s foreign language and study-abroad programs demonstrate how well students understand the value of foreign language competency for a culturally rich life and for work in globalized environments.” 
Timothy HarperSandusky, Ohio Department of Management and Business “I enjoy teaching at Skidmore because the College challenges instructors in all disciplines to create courses that force students to think across academic boundaries and paradigms.” 
Mao ChenBeijing, China Department of Foreign Languages and Literatures Director, Asian Studies Program “Multiculturalism is about personal identity as well as cultural history. From my perspective, multiculturalism should enhance matters of personal psychology, social structure, and historical experience.” 
Pushkala PrasadChennai, India Department of Management and Business “I’ve taught in India, Canada, the U.S., Sweden, Finland, and the U.K. I bring this background to the classroom —my international business course, for example, in which I introduce cultural variation and blindness. Sometimes my students have a hard time defending American business practices abroad when they see it through another culture’s eyes.” 
Jerry RodriguezSan Juan, Puerto Rico Department of Physics “Two of my favorite endeavors at Skidmore—teaching physics and coaching volleyball—have taught me that you always learn more from differences than from similarities. The support of intercultural life by members of the Skidmore community allows everyone to learn and begin to understand, other cultures.” 
Mehmet OdekonIstanbul, Turkey Department of Economics “I believe that it is of utmost importance for Skidmore students to realize that Western economic theory is culture-bound. Economic growth and development not only entail the transformation of the economies of developing countries, but more importantly an understanding of their cultures and institutions. I regard it as my responsibility to discuss issues from different perspectives, introducing different paradigms to help our students understand and respect cultural differences.” 
Kate GraneyRochester, New York Department of Government “I really appreciate having students who have lived somewhere else—the Dominican Republic, Jamaica, and Guyana come to mind. They educate their peers about the importance of culture, family, and traditions and show them that there can be inspiring and fulfilling ways to link one's own heritage and home life with one's studies at Skidmore. They bring a seriousness and an enthusiasm to the study of cross-cultural and intercultural phenomena that wouldn't be there otherwise.” 
Mason StokesRock Hill, South Carolina Department of English “Too often ‘diversity’ gets used as a kind of buzzword. It’s become associated with a certain brand of easy, feel-good multiculturalism. But diversity shouldn't be easy—it should be a challenge. Because for me, diversity has an academic value. It’s what happens when people with radically different experiences come together in the spirit of rigorous exchange and open themselves up to new ways of seeing the world. This can be hard, even painful. In my classes—‘Race,’ Writing, and Difference is a good example—I encourage students to take risks that are both intellectual and personal. In a truly diverse setting, this risk-taking is transformational.” Creative Thought Matters. Skidmore College · 815 North Broadway · Saratoga Springs, NY · 12866
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