John Jay Distinguished Professor Kevin Nadal was awarded the Columbia Teachers College Medal for Distinguished Service for his work advocating for and advancing social justice.

Teachers College pointed specifically to his research exploring microaggressions toward LGBTQ+ people and people of color. Nadal, the first Asian American Distinguished Professor at John Jay, has written 14 books, including Dismantling Everyday Discrimination; Filipino American Psychology; Microaggression Theory; Microaggressions and Traumatic Stress; and Queering Law and Order.

Nadal also writes a column, "Psychology for the People," for Psychology Today and is often quoted in media outlets such as The New York Times, the Los Angeles Times, and USA Today. Watch a video and learn more about Professor Nadal and his research.

As part of the award, Nadal will speak at the May 18 graduation for the Teachers College departments of Counseling & Clinical Psychology, and Human Development.

Past recipients of the medal include Desmond Tutu, Shirley Chisholm, and Anthony Fauci.