Michelle Rufrano, M.A.
Social Media Task Group Lead, she/her/hers
Michelle Rufrano graduated from Penn State University with a dual degree in Sociology and International Studies along with two academic minors in Spanish and Information Systems and Statistical Analysis in 2009. During this time, she studied abroad in Seville, Spain at the University of Seville and took courses in Social Justice, Literature, Art History, and Film in addition to volunteering with Gota de Leche—a non-profit dedicated to addressing child health. In this capacity, she volunteered with the Romani people tasked with teaching basic hygiene. After graduation, Michellewent on to run an after-school program for under-resourced children in Long Island City, Queens, and linked students to internships with law firms.
Michelle received her 1st master’s degree in Sociology in 2014 from Fordham University with a presidential fellowship where she specialized in urban sociology and the role of public art in gentrification processes. Immediately after graduation, Michelle was hired as an adjunct instructor teaching Introduction to Sociology, Research Methods I and II, as well as Population and Economic Development. During this time, Michelle also worked as a Teaching Artist for the Onassis cultural center and created activities for children with the theme of emotions in the context of Greek and Roman art. In 2017, Michelle took a full-time position as a College/ Career Access Counselor with Project Morry/Morry’s camp, a non-profit organization that provides a free summer camp experience to 6 different under-resourced communities in the tri-state area.
Prior to her full-time work, Michelle worked seasonally during the summers for Morry’s Camp as a Social Justice coordinator, creating programming for campers, staff, community partners, and stakeholders using a restorative justice lens. Michelle is currently a student at the Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health. Her focus is health promotion and adolescent health. She is interested in the manifestation of inequities in urban built environments. She is on track to graduate in October 2020. Michelle is also an aspiring artist who studies sculpture using microcrystalline wax at the Arts Students League.