Student Testimonials

“K aren was phenomenal! Probably the best professor I have had at UChicago, she brought such depth and knowledge to this subject. One of her greatest strengths was listening to our thoughts, not only on the subject, but also on the structure of the course and incorporated our feedback on what worked/didn’t work for us. She also challenged us to think outside ourselves and any preconceptions in such a way that felt respectful and intellectually stimulating. She did a great job of fostering a comfortable atmosphere as well, and I could go on, but all this is to say, Karen is a phenomenal instructor and this was a phenomenal class.

University of Chicago (Spring 2022)

“Today I was accepted into the incoming Fall 2020 class at [redacted] Law. Navigating this journey was difficult on both a professional and personal level. Thank you for inspiring me to look outside the box, into a different direction and subsequently into a different career path.

This opportunity would not be possible had it not been for taking your class that activated me to pursue social justice. [Redacted] Law is one of the nation’s top public interest law schools and especially during these times where the veil is lifting on the reality of what America is, I am beyond excited to begin this journey and dedicate my life to the service of human needs. Once again I thank you for this.”

City College Graduate (Class of 2018)

“Karen not only is a highly intelligent and effective instructor but she did an excellent job of facilitating a comfortable environment where all ideas could be discussed. Karen also answered all questions with exceptional detail. There was never a point that I felt lost
because she would devote as much time as the class needed so we all understood the different nuances of each law and the historical setting we were discussing.”

Racialization of Immigrants and the Second Generation (Spring 2023)

“This is really one of the few courses where I have taken what I’ve learned and applied it outside the classroom. The information in this class stuck with me. You kept me on my toes and made me want to learn, not just for the grade, but because it was a good feeling to be able to participate in class discussions. You provided a safe space for learning and error, and everything from attendance questions, to guest speakers, really made for an enjoyable class!”

Foundations of Sociological Theory (Fall 2019)

“I appreciated how strict you were, in a sense. I learned to be on time, not make up excuses, and to simply get the work done. I feel as if you are a fair grader, and your comments and feedback were very helpful. You have been one of the most influential professors I’ve had throughout my entire college career. I think the way this course is set up is perfect. It’s challenging, and pushes us to succeed. Unlike other courses where the challenges are set up and lead to failure.”

Immigration & the Second Generation
(Spring 2017)