Neil V Hernandez
Asst Professor
Marxe School of Public and International Affairs
Department: Public Affairs
Areas of expertise: Public Management, Policy Implementation, Immigration Policy
Email Address: neil.hernandez@baruch.cuny.edu
- Biography
- Teaching
- Research and Creative Activity
- Honors and Awards
- Service
Dr. Neil Hernandez is a pracademic and his approach to teaching, research, and service is to combine the use of theory and practice. He learned this from his mentor (and teacher and friend): the late (and great) Dr. Frederick S. Lane, who was a professor at the Marxe School and the CUNY Graduate Center.
Dr. Hernandez teaches introductory and advanced public and nonprofit management courses, and he draws from his extensive experiences in government agencies, from executive leadership and management to front-line roles. From 2002 to 2010, he served as the Commissioner of the NYC Department of Juvenile Justice. He led approximately 1,000 staff, administered an overall budget of more than $100 million, and managed over 15 detention facilities and group homes for youth in family and criminal court proceedings. Before the Marxe School, he served as an asylum officer at US Citizenship & Immigration Services (USCIS) between 2017 and 2019. He adjudicated over 450 applications of people from all parts of the world who sought refuge in the United States.
Informed by practice, Dr. Hernandez’s research focuses on policy implementation. He advances an analytical framework, “policy innovation through bureaucratic reorganization,” which explains how policies are affected via reorganization of the policy implementation process from the top of organizations. In two articles, published in the Journal of Policy History and Social Science History (forthcoming), he shows how the President and his political appointees eased and tightened immigration exclusion and expulsion activities to help and hinder newcomers in the first half of the 20th century. The first article was recognized by the Society for History in the Federal Government with its 2024 Article Prize.
His research examines policy implementation from the ground level, too. His study of the US asylum system seeks to better understand how applications for humanitarian protection are adjudicated, especially since USCIS is seemingly overwhelmed with these. Nonetheless, it is responsible for making fair decisions.
Dr. Hernandez's service includes representing faculty and staff as a Delegate in the Professional Staff Congress, which is the labor union of 30,000 members at CUNY. Also, he is a licensed attorney in New York State, and serves on the Asylum Liaison Committee of the American Immigration Lawyers Association’s New York Chapter.
Learn more about Dr. Hernandez’s activities
Marxe School Public Management Specialization video
Professor Hernandez’s PAF 9120 course overview video
Professor Hernandez’s PAF 9160 course overview video
Education
Ph.D., Political Science, CUNY Graduate Center
M.Phil., Political Science, CUNY Graduate Center
M.A., Political Science, CUNY Graduate Center
M.P.A., Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs
J.D., Hofstra University School of Law
B.A., Political Science, New York University School of Arts and Sciences
| Semester | Course Prefix | Course Number | Course Name |
|---|---|---|---|
| Spring 2024 | PAF | 9160 | Pub/Nonprofit Mgt II |
| Spring 2024 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2023 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2023 | PAF | 9160 | Pub/Nonprofit Mgt II |
| Fall 2022 | PAF | 9160 | Pub/Nonprofit Mgt II |
| Fall 2022 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2022 | PAF | 9160 | Pub/Nonprofit Mgt II |
| Fall 2021 | PAF | 9160 | Pub/Nonprofit Mgt II |
| Fall 2021 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2021 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2021 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Fall 2020 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Fall 2020 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2020 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2020 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Fall 2019 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Fall 2019 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2019 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
| Spring 2019 | PAF | 9120 | Pub/Non Prof Mgt I |
Journal Articles
HERNANDEZ, N. V. (2023). "Labor Secretary Frances Perkins Reorganizes Her Department’s Immigration Enforcement Functions, 1933–1940: 'Going against the Grain'". Journal of Policy History, 35(1). 33-67.
"An Examination of Shifting Enforcement Priorities: Republican Officeholders Reorganize the U.S. Immigration System, 1906-1913". Social Science History (forthcoming),
Media Contributions
Hernandez, N. V. (2011). "Remember Reagan (Recuerda Reagan)", (National).
Hernandez, N. V. (2008). "For Juveniles, Alternatives to Incarceration", (June 2 ).
Presentations
Hernandez, N. V., & Tucciarone, G. (2024, January 23). The Asylum Interview: Telling your Story. Remote: African Cultural Alliance of North America.
Hernandez, N. V. (2025, September 18). Migrants at the Border 'Wall': The Decision-making Process of Asylum Officers. CUNY Graduate Center: Advanced Research Collaborative.
Hernandez, N. V. (2025, February 18). How the Civil Rights Movement Influenced U.S. Immigration Policy. Remote: Baruch College Robert C. Weaver Black Alumni Network.
Hernandez, N. V. (2025, January 18). Representation of Applicants in the Asylum Office: (Some) Basic Considerations for Law Students. Remote: Elon University School of Law.
Hernandez, N. V., & Ham, M. (2022, December 19). Asylum Processing: Telling Your Story. Remote: African Cultural Alliance of North America.
Hernandez, N. V., & Szekely, D. (2025, January 20). The Credible Fear Interview: Basics and Tips. Remote: Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid.
Hernandez, N. V. (2025, August 12). The Affirmative Asylum Interview: Tips and Tactics. Remote: Jewish Family Service of San Diego.
Hernandez, N. V. (2021, March 3). From Hostos to Baruch: The Study & Practice of Public Affairs. Hostos Community College Majors Fair. Remote: Hostos Community College.
Hernandez, N. V. (2021, May 19). Client Advocacy in the Asylum Office: Tips and Tactics. Asylum 101: The State of the Law Now, What the Future May Hold, and Practical Tips. Remote: American Immigration Lawyers Association New York Chapter.
Hernandez, N. V. (2021, June 10). The Asylum Interview: Basics and Tips. The Ark Immigration Clinic Asylum Session. Remote: Congregation Beit Simchat Torah.
Hernandez, N. V. (2021, September 3). The Asylum Interview: Basics and Tips. Webinar on Asylum Interview Preparation. Remote: Venezuelans and Immigrants Aid.
Hernandez, N. V. (2021, August 7). Supporting Asylum Applicants: Applying Research to Practice. Expert Testimony in Deportation Defense or Asylum Cases. Remote: American Sociological Association Annual (Virtual) Meeting.
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, June 19). The Basics of the Asylum Interview. Webinar on Asylum Interview Preparation. Internet: RIF Asylum Support.
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, November 30). COVID-19 & the Latino Community in Queens. COVID-19 & the Latino Community in Queens. Remote: Ecuadorian Civic Center of New York.
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, October 8). Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Baruch College: Insider & Outsider Perspectives. Diversity, Equity & Inclusion at Baruch College: Insider & Outsider Perspectives. Remote: Professional Staff Congress Chapter at Baruch College.
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, August 27). The Impacts of COVID-19 and the Death of George Floyd on the N.Y. & N.J. Health & Legal Systems. The Impacts of COVID-19 and the Death of George Floyd on the N.Y. & N.J. Health & Legal Systems. Virtual: Ecuadorian Civic Center of New York.
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, July 11). How to Interact with the U.S. Asylum System? Research, Practice & Advocacy. Webinar on U.S. Asylum System. Internet: African Cultural Alliance of North America, Inc. (ACANA).
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, June 26). Lo Basico de la Entrevista de Asilo. Webinar on Asylum Interview Preparation. Webinar: RIF Asylum Support.
Hernandez, N. V. (2020, January 9). Innovation through Immigration. Roundtable Series on Technology, Innovation, and American Primacy. New York, N.Y.: Council on Foreign Relations.
Hernandez, N. V. (2019, March 11). Immigration Expansion and Restriction: The Reorganization of the U.S. Immigration System, 1906-1913. Local Immigrant Integration and Its Relationship to Today’s Polarized Immigration Policy Debate. Washington, D.C.: American Society for Public Administration.
Hernandez, N. V. (2019, April 26). Bureaucratic Reorganization: The Liberalization and Restriction of the U.S. Immigration System, 1906-1913. Reconstruction to WWI: New Research in Federal History. Washington, D.C.: Society for History in the Federal Government.
Hernandez, N. V. (2019, June 15). The U.S. Asylum System: Understanding the Basics. U.S. Asylum System. Clifton, N.J.: Turkish Cultural Center New Jersey and John Onal & Associates PC.
Hernandez, N. V. (2019, August 12). The Asylum Interview: An Opportunity for Sociologists to Support Applicants. Expert Testimony in Deportation Defense or Asylum Cases: Understanding the Process and Putting Your Sociological Skills To Use. New York, N.Y.: American Sociological Association.
Hernandez, N. V. (2019, August 24). The U.S. Asylum System: Understanding the Basics. U.S. Asylum System. Philadelphia, PA.: African Cultural Alliance of North America.
Hernandez, N. V. (2019, November 16). Opening Remarks: The Political, Economic & Social Power of New York Ecuadorians. Ecuadorian Civic Center of New York Swearing-in Ceremony. Corona, Queens: Ecuadorian Civic Center of New York, Inc..
| Honor / Award | Organization Sponsor | Date Received | Description |
|---|---|---|---|
| Public Affairs Fellowship | Howard J. Samuels State and City Policy Center | 2024 | |
| Article Prize | Society for History in the Federal Government | 2024 | For "Labor Secretary Frances Perkins Reorganizes Her Department's Immigration Enforcement Functions, 1933-1940: 'Going against the Grain,'" published in the Journal of Policy History. |
| Leading by Example Award | Marxe School Public & Nonprofit Management Students | 2024 | |
| Distinguished CUNY Scholar | Advanced Research Collaborative, CUNY-Graduate Center | 2023 | |
| Fellow | Faculty Fellowship Publication Program, City University of New York | 2021 | |
| Hispanic Star | Intersection's Hispanic Stars LinkNYC Campaign | 2020 | |
| Special Act Award | U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Newark Asylum Office | 2018 | |
| Bright Idea Peer Award | U.S. Citizenship & Immigration Services Refugee, Asylum, & International Operations Directorate | 2018 | |
| Manuela Canizares Award | Ecuadorian Civic Center of New York | 2017 | |
| Distinguished Speaker Series Award | CUNY-Lehman College Urban Male Leadership Program | 2013 | |
| Appreciation Award | Hostos Community College Criminal Justice Club | 2012 | |
| Public Justice Foundation Alumni Award | Hofstra Law School | 2010 | |
| El Award | El Diario La Prensa | 2009 | |
| Certificate of Appreciation for Outstanding Contributions in the Field of Drug Law Enforcement | U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration New York Field Division | 2004 |
College
| Committee Name | Position Role | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Executive Committee | Committee Member | 11/29/2022 | |
| Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee | Committee Member | 5/25/2021 | |
| MPA Club | Faculty Advisor | 12/23/2020 | |
| Committee on Admissions and Scholarships | Committee Member | 6/26/2020 | |
| Public Affairs Week Steering Committee | Committee Member | 3/10/2020 | |
| Marxe Dean NYS MTA Project | Member | 5/22/2019 |
University
| Committee Name | Position Role | Start Date | End Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Professional Staff Congress-City University of New York | Delegate | 5/28/2020 | Present |
| Hostos Community College Reentry Committee | Committee Chair | 1/1/2013 | 12/31/2013 |
| Hostos Community College Assistant Dean Search Committee | Committee Chair | 1/1/2013 | 4/30/2013 |
| Hostos Community College General Education & Assessment Committee | Committee Member | 8/1/2011 | 5/31/2012 |
Professional
| Organization | Position Role | Organization State | Organization Country | Start Date | End Date | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Network of Schools of Public Policy, Affairs & Administration | Site Visitor | United States | 7/1/2022 | Present | National | |
| N.Y. Chapter Asylum Liaison Committee, American Immigration Lawyers Association | Committee Member | N.Y. | United States | 7/17/2020 | Present | Regional |
Public
| Organization | Position Role | Organization State | Organization Country | Start Date | End Date | Audience |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ecuadorian Civic Center of New York, Inc | Member | New York | United States | 11/17/2019 | Present | International |
| N.Y.S. Governor David A. Paterson, Juvenile Justice Task Force | Member | New York | United States | 1/1/2008 | 12/31/2009 | State |