Beth Merenstein

Dr. Beth Merenstein is the Interim Associate Vice President for Community Engagement and Experiential Learning, as well the Executive Director of the Center for Community Engagement and Social Research (CCESR).

Community engagement is a key component of CCSU’s Strategic Plan, and Dr. Merenstein’s role recognizes the important connections and collaborations that exist between their students and the surrounding community.

Dr. Merenstein earned a B.A. in English with a concentration in Aesthetics and Critical Theory from Clark University. She later received an M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Connecticut.

She joined the faculty at CCSU in 2004 as an Assistant Professor in the Department of Sociology and was subsequently promoted to Associate Professor and Professor. She has served as Acting Chair of the Sociology department, University Curriculum Chair, Assistant to the Dean, Associate Dean, and Presidential Fellow.

Dr. Merenstein is active in curriculum development with a particular emphasis on equity in education and was instrumental in the creation of the Equity, Justice, and Inclusion addition to the University’s general education curriculum.

She has published numerous evaluation reports for local community organizations, articles in peer-reviewed journals, and a book on Immigration and Race (2008).