News & Events

The Moynihan Center at The City College of New York (CCNY) is pleased to announce its 2025–2026 cohort of Moynihan Distinguished Practitioners: Frank Barry, Joseph Dorman, and Ron Kassimir.

Distinguished Practitioners are accomplished professionals celebrated for their exceptional contributions to public service and public scholarship. These luminaries are invited to immerse themselves in the vibrant academic culture of City College, sharing their wealth of knowledge and experience with the Moynihan Center community. During their tenure, they engage in a diverse array of activities that enrich the intellectual fabric of the Center: giving lectures, participating in panels and workshops, and mentoring City College students.

"Our Distinguished Practitioners program creates a vital bridge between theory and practice," said Carlo Invernizzi Accetti, Executive Director of the Moynihan Center. "Barry, Dorman, and Kassimir bring decades of real-world experience that complements the scholarly work of our Public Scholars and inspires our undergraduate fellows. Their presence on campus provides invaluable opportunities for our students to learn from professionals who have shaped policy and public discourse throughout their distinguished careers."

The 2025–2026 Moynihan Distinguished Practitioners are:

Frank Barry is a Bloomberg Opinion Columnist and Editorial Board Member covering national affairs, with a special focus on polarization. Previously, he served as a speechwriter for Michael Bloomberg. His recent book, Back Roads and Better Angels: A Journey Into the Heart of American Democracy, chronicles his cross-country expedition along the Lincoln Highway, where he engaged with residents of cities and small towns across America to explore the forces that both divide and unite the nation.

Joseph Dorman is an award-winning filmmaker whose documentaries explore the intersection of political ideas and identity. His films include Arguing the World, about four prominent New York Intellectuals and their intellectual trajectories, which began at City College; and Moynihan, a documentary on the life and ideas of our namesake, Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan.

Ron Kassimir is a distinguished academic administrator and scholar. At the Moynihan Center, he will leverage three decades of leadership experience at the Social Science Research Council, The New School, and Columbia University to investigate how scholarly knowledge influences decision-making beyond academia. His work challenges conventional thinking about research impact, exploring the varied pathways through which academic contributions shape public policy.

"The Distinguished Practitioners program exemplifies our commitment to building bridges between academia and the world of practice," said  Michael Miller, Managing Director of the Moynihan Center. "Barry, Dorman, and Kassimir bring invaluable real-world experience that enriches our intellectual community and provides our students with unique mentorship opportunities. Their engagement with the Center will help us fulfill our mission of revitalizing civic life through the traditions of free inquiry, open debate, and public service."

Distinguished Practitioners are appointed by invitation only and represent the Moynihan Center's commitment to bridging theory and practice in addressing pressing societal challenges.

For more information about the 2025–2026 Distinguished Practitioners, click here.