DEI Conversations

Carlos Ulises Decena joined the Departments of Latino and Caribbean Studies and Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies in 2005. He is an interdisciplinary scholar of immigration and queer studies, and his research explores the meeting points of Black, ethnic, and area studies. A native of the Dominican Republic, Decena holds a Ph.D. in American studies from New York University. He currently serves as acting chair of the Department of Latino and Caribbean Studies, after having served as the department’s chair for the past 6 academic years.

Cross-Campus Director of Undergraduate Intellectual Life, Institute for the Study of Global Racial Justice
Acting Chair and Associate Professor, Latino and Caribbean Studies, Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Associate Professor, Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies, Rutgers University-New Brunswick 

Javier Robles is a Juris Doctor graduate of Seton Hall Law School and has a double degree in Sociology and Puerto Rican and Caribbean Studies from Rutgers University. Mr. Robles is a faculty member and professor of The Kinesiology and Health Department. He is the Director of the Center for Disability Sports, Health and Wellness at Rutgers University and Co-chair of the Rutgers University Disability Studies committee. He is the Chair of the New Jersey Disabilities Covid-19 Action Committee and was appointed by Gov. Murphy to the Puerto Rico Commission. In addition, he is a board member of the United Spinal National Board and a Commissioner of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation National Commission to Transform Public Health Data Systems, he is the Vice President of the Latino Action Network of New Jersey (LAN) until recently, he was on the board of Canine Companion for Independence Northeast Board for15 years. He is the past President of Thisabled, LLC, an organization that provides support to persons with disabilities through self-empowerment and perseverance. He is the Founder of the Facebook Group, “People with Disabilities Helping Each Other Survive the Coronavirus.” Robles has written for numerous publications including, Latinos NJ, ThisAbled Nation, and New Mobility. One of his poems was recently published in the book, Access Granted. He is currently working on a book of poetry and writing an article on people with disabilities and inclusion. He is a photographer and a collector of glass and vintage negatives from the 1800s and early 1900s. Additionally, he is a beekeeper and Gardner in the Central Jersey region. He has two children and lives with his wife, daughter, and service dog in New Jersey.

Awards and Achievements

• Minorities with Disabilities Advocacy Award
• Seton Hall University Ramon Ramos Medal of Courage
• Comite Noviembre Award
• Rutgers University President of the year Award
• Project Freedom's Angel Award

Northeast Ambassador for Canine Companions for