The Heller School for Social Policy and Management

Susan P Curnan

Florence G. Heller Associate Professor of the Practice

Susan P Curnan's photo

Contact

Email: curnan@brandeis.edu
Office: Heller-Brown Building 341
Phone: 781-736-3771
Brandeis Directory

Expertise

Social Impact research and capacity building necessary to address the persistent and growing inequalities in income, education, health and well being among young people, their families and communities. Specific focus on environmental justice policies and practices and environmental influences on the health and well being of communities of color in the United States.

Evaluation design, implementation, and capacity building for non-profit leaders and managers.

Application of systems thinking, logic models, and ecological modeling for complex, messy social change initiatives.
Leadership development for cross-sector partnerships and democratic governance structures.

Courses

  • HS 217f - Eli J. Segal Seminar in Citizen Leadership
  • HS 304a - Environmental Justice and the Human Effects of Climate Change
  • HS 320f - The American Gay Rights Movement: Social Justice and Social Policy
  • HS 335f - Perspectives on Youth Policy, Program Management, and System Design
  • HS 511b - Contemporary Issues in the Management of Child, Youth, and Family Services

Degrees

  • Yale University
    M.F.S.
  • State University of New York at New Paltz
    M.S.
  • SUNY at Stony Brook
    B.A.

Susan P Curnan

Florence G. Heller Associate Professor of the Practice

Profile

Susan P. Curnan, founding Chair of the MPP Concentration in Environmental Justice and Executive Director of the Center for Youth and Communities, holds the Florence G. Heller Chair as Associate Professor of the Practice at the Heller School for Social Policy and Management. The honor of this inaugural Chair in the name of the School's founder was conveyed in 2019 in recognition of Susan's distinguished career as a practitioner-scholar.
She joined the Brandeis faculty in 1983, after gaining leadership experience in philanthropy, non-profit management, government, and private business. Always focused on education equity, the environment, and the economy, Professor Curnan was instrumental in the development of the MPP and MBA in Social Impact Degree programs and founding chair of the concentration in Child, Youth and Family Policy in which she taught core courses for more than two decades.
A graduate of The Yale School of the Environment, Curnan brings an ecological perspective and results-oriented leadership to all of her work at the Center for Youth and Communities, with university-community partnerships and in classrooms, as well as Board rooms. During her tenure at the Heller School, where "knowledge advancing social justice" defines the mission, she has taught more than 110 courses to hundreds of graduate students.
At the University, Professor Curnan was elected and served an unprecedented four terms as President of the Brandeis University Faculty Senate, the elected representative body of the faculty which advises and consults with the President, Provost, and Board of Trustees on University governance matters.
As co-founder, and long time Director of the Center for Youth and Communities, Curnan leads a senior research and capacity building team dedicated to improving the life options and environmental conditions of young people whose supports and opportunities have been few by combining scholarly research and practical experience with an emphasis on education, workforce development, and community systems.
The Center's work under Curnan's leadership has been generously supported by government and philanthropy for nearly four decades. Funders include: USAID; USDOL; CNCS; New Profit; FIRST; The Nellie Mae Education Foundation; The Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation; Save the Children, Inc; Walmart Foundation; The Skillman Foundation; W.K. Kellogg Foundation, Boston Symphony Orchestra (BSO); Leaves of Grass Foundation; and Heidenreich Foundation. Others are listed on the CYC website. Grant and contract support under Curnan’s leadership has exceeded $100M during her tenure.
Over the years, Professor Curnan has been a frequent keynote speaker at National and International Conferences, a consultant for the National Academy of Sciences, The White House Domestic Policy Council, UNESCO, and state and federal and global policy agencies in addition to philanthropic partners.
Please see the Center for Youth and Communities website at Brandeis for detailed information on our people, projects and publications.

Awards and Honors

  • Named Chair of the MPP Environmental Justice Concentration, Heller School (2021)
  • Named Inaugaral Florence G. Heller Associate Professor of the Practice CHAIR (2019)
  • Elected President Brandeis University Faculty Senate (2018 - 2019)
  • Elected President of Brandeis University Faculty Senate (2017 - 2018)
  • Elected , Yale University, Association of Yale Alumni Board (2016)
  • Elected President Brandeis University Faculty Senate (2016 - 2017)
  • Elected President Brandeis University Faculty Senate (2015 - 2016)
  • Elected Trustee, First Parish of Sudbury, Unitarian Universalist (2015 - 2017)
  • Elected Yale University, Alumni Association Board (2014)
  • Recipient of the Catalyst Award from Mayor of Philadelphia, The Honarable Michael Nutter, and Philadelphia Youth Network (2013)
  • Appointed to 2017 Task Force, Nellie Mae Education Foundation, New England Education Reform (2012 - 2014)
  • Appointed Co-Chair, 2016 Task Force, Detroit's Leadership for Community Change (2010 - 2016)
  • Appointed to Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation National Leadership Team for Post Secondary Success Initiative (2010 - 2015)
  • Appointed to Center for Law and Social Policy, CLASP, Postsecondary and Economic Success Advisory Committee, Washington DC (2010 - 2013)
  • Appointed to National Council, Eleanor Roosevelt Val-Kill Partnership (2010 - 2020)
  • Appointed to Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Thought Leader Advisory Panel for New England Education Systems Change (2010)
  • Elected to Northeast Institute for Quality Community Action Advisory Board (2010 - 2012)
  • Appopinted to United Way of Massachusetts Bay and Merrimack Valley Youth Council. Three year commitment. (2008 - 2010)
  • Honored for 25 years of dedicated service to Brandeis University. Celebrated with President, Provost, Dean and colleagues. (2008)
  • Appointed, National Research & Evaluation Advisory Board. The Skillman Foundation. Up to 10-year term (2007 - 2017)
  • Appointed, National Scientific Research Council, America's Promise: The Alliance for Youth, Washington, D.C. (2005 - 2017)
  • Appointed Fellow of Berkeley College, Yale University in recognition of leadership and shared interest in environmental matters (on-going) (2003)
  • Awarded sabbatical from Brandeis University. Traveled around the world, worked on manuscript for book about growing up at Val-Kill Cottage in the 1950's and 60's. (2003)
  • Board on Children, Youth and Families of the National Research Council and Institute of Medicine, National Academy of Sciences, Washington, D.C. Frequent workshop discussant. (2003)
  • National Governors' Association's Youth Development Faculty Member, Washington, D.C. (on-going) (2003)
  • Selected Disney Corporation "Thought Leader" for Community Relations Department to help shape their brand and platform for "Helping Kids Shine" (2003)
  • The Hitachi Foundation, Yoshiyama Fellowship Award Committee, San Diego, CA (on-going) (2003)
  • Co-Founder and Chair, Institute for Just Communities (2001)
  • Co-Founder and Editor of the Community Youth Development Journal and CYD Anthology (2000)
  • VIP at Presidential Summit on National Community Service, Philadelphia, Spring (1997)
  • Who's Who in America, Who's Who in American Women, Who's Who in American Education (1995 - 1996)
  • Presented with the Key to the City of New Orleans and Certificate of Honorary Citizenship by Mayor and City Council in recognition of work on behalf of at-risk youth (1993)

Scholarship

  • Susan P. Curnan, Op-Ed: "Time for an American Youth Congress?" Metro-West Daily News, February 14, 2021.. "Tyagi, S., and Curnan, S.P. (2021). Future of Work Grand Challenge Interim Report, New Profit, Inc, Boston, Ma..
  • Curnan, Susan P., Burack, C., Hughes, D. M., Tai, T., Tyagi, S. T... "Education Works: Transferable Life Skills Instructor's Guide and Curriculum, University Edition." April 2020.
  • Curnan, Susan P.,. "Education Works: University - Employer Partnerships for the Long Term." April 2020.
  • Curnan, Susan P, Hughes D.M.. Results Oriented Thinking and Action: Using Logic Models for Effective and Sustainable Student-Centered Learning Practice.. For The Nellie Mae Education Foundation, Quincey, Ma.: 2018.
  • Curnan, Susan P., Hughes D.M.,. Closing the Opportunity Gap: A New Norwalk Partnership Initiative.. Commissioned by the Per and Astrid Heidenreich Family Foundation, Stanford, Ct.: 2018.
  • Curnan, Susan P et al. Donor Policy Brief: Summer Youth Employment: A Guide to High Impact Investments. Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy: 2016.
  • Curnan, Susan P et al. Series of Donor Policy Briefs on High Impact Investments: STEM programs for Girls; Homeless Youth; Youth Civic Engagement; Child Hunger Alleviation;. Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy: 2016.
  • Curnan, Susan P with Lisa A. LaCava, Susan Lanspery, Della Hughes. Report: Employment for Youth with Trauma Histories: Lessons from Research and Experience. Center for Youth and Communities, Walmart Foundation.: 2016.
  • Curnan, Susan P, Hughes, D.M.. Knowledge Development Brief: Are We Helping? How Do We Know? A Report on Technical Assistance in Education Reform. Nellie Mae Education Foundation: 2016.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Practical Guide." Rev. of Employability Skills for the Future of Work: A Practical Guide, by Jon Hopwood. 2015
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Theory and Practice." Rev. of Comprehensive Community Initiatives for Positive Youth Development, by Jonathan F. Zaff, Elizabeth Pufall Jones,Alica E. Donlan, and Sara Anderson. 2016: 178.
  • Curnan, S. P., Hughes, D.M., Lanspery, S., Singleton, S., LaCava, L., O'Sullivan, K.. Enough is Known for Action! Ready to Employ, Educate, and Support Youth Brandeis University Briefing - A Photo-Text Summary. Waltham, MA: The Center for Youth and Communities: 2015.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Banner Years: After Three Decades, Enough is Known for Action. The Center for Youth and Communities has Long Been Fueling It.." Heller Magazine Summer 2015.
  • Curnan, Susan P.,(co-author) with Erickson Warfield, M., Lanspery, S., Hughes, D.M.. Employment for Youth with Disabilities: Past Challenges and Future Opportunities. Center for Youth and Communities and the Walmart Foundation: 2015.
  • Curnan, S. P., Lord, B.. Systems Change for Student-Centered Learning: A New Logic for District Level Systems Change. Quincy, MA: Nellie Mae Education Foundation: 2014.
  • Curnan, S.P., Lanspery, S., Kingsley, C., LaCava, L., Hughes, D.M., Melchior, A., & Perlmutter, A. Practical Advice Guides: Smart Strategies to Employ, Educate and Support Youth in Employability Development Programs. Waltham, MA The Center for Youth and Communities: 2014.
  • Melchior, A., Curnan., S.P., Lanspery, S.. Creating New Pathways to Postsecondary: Evaluation of the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation's Postsecondary Success (PSS) Initiative. Waltham, MA: The Center for Youth and Communities: 2013.
  • Melchior, A., Lanspery, S., & Curnan, S.P. Postsecondary Success Initiative Fact Sheet: Supporting Low-Income Youth to and through Postsecondary Education, Careers, and Community Leadership. Waltham, MA The Center for Youth and Communities: 2013.
  • Curnan, Susan P, Lanspery, S., Kingsley, C., LaCava, L., Hughes, D.M., Melchior, A., & Perlmutter, A. Reconnecting Systems to Reconnect Youth: The Walmart Foundation's 2012 SMART SUMMER initiative to employ, educate, and support youth. Waltham, MA The Center for Youth and Communities: 2012.
  • Curnan, Susan P., Hahn, A., Bookman, A., Hughes, D.M., Jacobs, C., Isenberg, L., & Rabinow, L. Moving From Talk to Collective Action: Effective Strategies for Alleviating Hunger and Food Insecurity in America, A Report on Brandeis Research and Interviews with Members of the Corporate Coaltion. Waltham, MA The Center for Youth and Communities and The Sillerman Center for the Advancement of Philanthropy for the Corporate Coalition Fighting Hunger in America: 2012.
  • Hughes, Della M., Susan P. Curnan, Lisa A. LaCava, and Sheri Dursin. Unitarian Universalist Association "Leap of Faith Evaluation Report: Growth and Vitality in the UU Congregation". 2012.
  • Curnan, S.P., Lanspery, S., Kingsley, C., LaCava, L., Hughes, D.M., Melchior, A., & Perlmutter, A. The Walmart Foundation's 2011 Investment in Summer Youth Employment: Encouraging Results and Lessons Learned. Waltham, MA The Center for Youth and Communities: 2011.
  • Curnan, Susan P, Della M. Hughes and Susan Lanspery (eds.). Curnan/Hughes, Co-PIs. Resilience, Resolve, Results: A Compilation of Readiness Phase Studies of The Skillman Foundation's Good Neighborhoods and Good Schools Initiative, 2008-2010. 2011.
  • Curnan, Susan P., Della M. Hughes, Susan Lanspery. Curnan/Hughes, Co-PIs. From Tower to Ground: Systems and Policy Change in the Good Neighborhoods/Good Schools Initiative. 2011.
  • Hughes, Della M., Erika Moldow and Susan Lanspery. Curnan/Hughes, Co-PIs. Changing the Odds for Kids: Part 1 and Part 2. 2011.
  • Hughes, Della M., Erika Moldow, Susan Lanspery, and J.F. Morgan Associates. Building Neighborhood Capacities to Support Youth and Families in Good Neighborhoods and Good Schools Initiative. 2011.
  • Hughes, Della M., and Susan Lanspery. Curnan/Hughes, Co-PIs. Resilience, Resolve, Results: Background of the Readiness Phase of The Skillman Foundation's Good Neighborhoods and Good Schools Initiative. 2011.
  • Curnan, Susan P, Andrew B. Hahn, Lawrence Neil Bailis, Joseph Frees, Christopher Kingsley, Lisa A. LaCava, Susan Lanspery, Alan L. Melchior, Erika Moldow. Innovating Under Pressure: The Story of the 2009 Recovery Act Summer Youth Employment Initiative: Chicago, Detroit, Indianapolis & Marion County, Phoenix & Maricopa Count. Employment and Training Administration (ETA), US Department of Labor. 2010.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Memories and Lessons from Eleanor Roosevelt's Kitchen Cabinet, 1931-1970." The Hudson River Valley Review: A Journal or Regional Studies Vol.26, No.1. Autumn 2009 (2010): 9-20.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "The View from Val-Kill." Brandeis Magazine Fall 2010: 20-25.
  • Susan P. Curnan, Christopher Kingsley, Lisa A. LaCava, Alexandra Pineros Shields. Emergency Assistance (EA) Reform in Massachusetts: A Report from Ten Regional Forums. Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School, Brandeis University. Boston: 2010.
  • Susan P. Curnan, Christopher Kingsley, Lisa A. LaCava, Joseph Frees. Unfinished Work: Building Excellence in Washington DC's Summer Youth Employment Program. Center for Youth and Communities, Heller School, Brandeis University. Washington: 2010.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Memories and Lessons from Eleanor Roosevelt's "Kitchen Cabinet." A four-part series of articles." The National Trust for Historic Preservation Newsletter (2009).
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Youth Development and Ordinary Days at Val-Kill Farm." Hudson River Valley Review (2009).
  • Curnan, Susan P with Della M. Hughes. "Evaluation Readiness and the Culture of Learning". Edna McConnell Clark Foundation. New York City: 2006.
  • Curnan, Susan P with Della M. Hughes. "Proving the Possible - Improving Systems: Transferable Lessons for Managing Growth and Change." A Report on Business Expansion 2004-2006. MY TURN, Inc. Brockton, MA: 2006.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "Lobbying for Social Change." Rev. of Lobbying for Social Change, by Willard C. Richan. November 2006: Back cover.
  • Curnan, Susan P. "The Power of Combining Youth Development Principles with Culture & Arts Programs: Findings of a Study of the Culture & Arts Youth Development Initiative". The Skillman Foundation. Detroit, MI: 2006.