Who We Are

Dr. Jonathan Becker is the director of the Center for Civic Engagement and vice president for international affairs and civic engagement at Bard. He is also an associate professor of political studies specializing in Russian and eastern European politics, media and politics, and education reform. Jonathan arrived at Bard in 1997. For a decade, Jonathan has overseen the academic development of Bard’s international partnerships, including those in Russia, Kyrgyzstan, and the West Bank. He also played a central role in founding Bard’s Globalization and International Affairs Program in New York City; Bard’s debate and Model United Nations teams; and election.bard.edu, which registers students to vote, facilitates student internships with local officials, and has fought voter suppression efforts in Dutchess County.

Jonathan earned his B.A. from McGill University in 1987 and his Ph.D. from St. Antony’s College, Oxford in 1993. He is the author of Soviet and Russian Press Coverage of the United States: Press, Politics and Identity in Transition (1999; revised and expanded edition, 2002) and articles and chapters in a variety of publications, including European Journal of Communication, Journalism and Mass Communications Quarterly, and The Globalist, among others.

Prior to coming to Bard, he served as assistant vice president of the Central European University in Budapest and as the European director of the Civic Education Project.

Erin Cannan joins the center staff after 15 years in the Division of Student Affairs at Bard. Erin arrived at Bard in 1995 as assistant dean of students/director of first-year students, responsible for orientation and student activities. She was promoted to dean of student affairs, responsible for the oversight of 12 departments within the Division of Student Affairs, and overseeing the work of the dean of campus life.

As associate director of the center, Erin’s primary focus is on the development of local volunteer and internship opportunities. She facilitates local connections to school districts, government, and business while working to develop partnerships within the center network.

Erin earned her B.A. from State University of New York at Geneseo in 1992 and a master’s degree in student personnel services from Edinboro University.

Dr. Paul Marienthal arrived at Bard in 1997. He directs the College’s  Trustee Leader Scholar Program (TLS), encouraging students to act as hands-on social entrepreneurs inventing new approaches and creating sustainable solutions to initiate change. Paul provides leadership training, retreats, and grant-writing and reflection workshops. These social action programs provide tools for students interested in creating and developing self-initiated projects with a mission to bring theory to practice. With over 400 students participating annually, Paul fosters an environment wherein students realize their potential to make a difference, while promoting institutional principles linking liberal education and democracy. 

Paul earned his B.A. from Stanford University in 1971, his M.A. from Antioch University in 1986, and his Ph.D. from The Ohio State University in 1991. Paul teaches classes in the fundamentals of interpersonal communication at a medium-security New York State prison. Founder of Bard’s Community Garden, Paul also oversees a community garden with the Bard Prison Initiative at Woodbourne.

He is the author of a short essay in Democracy Is Not a Spectator Sport (Blaustein, A., 2011).