Nancy Mezey

Dean of The Honors School and Professor of Sociology at Monmouth University

Dr. Mezey is the Dean of The Honors School and a Professor of Sociology at Monmouth University. Her areas of specialization are family sociology, gender studies, the sociology of sexualities, and race-class- gender studies. Dr. Mezey's research focuses on how historical factors, social inequalities, social activism, and policies shape and affect families, communities, and larger society. Her most recent book, "LGBT Families," is a comprehensive analysis of the experiences of, and challenges facing, LGBT families today. Her first book, "New Choices, New Families: How Lesbians Decide About Motherhood," is a multiracial feminist study of how lesbians decide to become mothers or remain childfree. Dr. Mezey has also published in a variety of academic journals and books in the areas of LGBT families and intimate partner violence. She is currently the principle investigator and co-executive producer of "My Buddy: The 369 the WWII Documentary Project" (https://guides.monmouth.edu/mybuddy). At Monmouth University, Dr. Mezey previously served as the Director of the Sociology Program, Curriculum Coordinator of the Gender Studies Program, and advisor to the Sociology Club. She received the 2010-11 Monmouth University Distinguished Teacher of the Year Award. Outside Monmouth University, Dr. Mezey serves as the President (2018-19) of the Society for the Study of Social Problems (SSSP) (http://sssp1.org/). She also serves on the Board of Directors of the Garden State Philharmonic (http://www.gardenstatephilharmonic.org/). Dr. Mezey is a returned Peace Corps Volunteer where she served in Mali, West Africa from 1988 to 1990. She received her Ph.D. from Michigan State University and B.A. from Vassar College.