Program Coordinator; Urban Studies (A.A.)

Borough of Manhattan Community College (BMCC)

​EDUCATOR, SCHOLAR, AND RESEARCHER

Born in the Bronx, Shirley P. Leyro was raised in the Castle Hill Projects. She earned her Ph.D. and is an Associate Professor of Criminal Justice at Borough of Manhattan Community College – CUNY. Dr. Leyro began her tenure as the Administrative Director of The Bronx Health Link, Inc. in January of 2023. She has a background in organizing and activism, focused around immigration and immigrant rights, in particular, issues surrounding immigration enforcement and the criminalization of immigrants. A critical criminologist, Dr. Leyro’s academic research focuses on deportation effects – including the impact of fear resulting from the vulnerability to deportation. Her research interests include immigration, deportation, social disorganization, "crimmigration," and the impact of all the above on mental health. As a result of her research findings, she became a Mental Health First Aid Instructor and collaborated with the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene to give MHFA certification trainings across the city. Dr. Leyro brings her experience as an academic, researcher, organizer, and activist with her to The Bronx Health Link, Inc., where the mission is to address the deep health disparities for Bronx residents by empowering them and local community-based organizations to advocate for equitable healthcare and to provide them with the tools necessary to achieve health equality. 

Press & media

ON THE BLOG

Youtube; "OutTalk with Dr. Kevin Nadal: Social Justice Activism" Mar 3, 2016

​For this episode, we will be discussing Social Justice Activism, particuarly regarding the #BlackLivesMatter movement and helping people become more social justice oriented. I'm joined by Stephanie Chrispin (UniPro), Akua Gy (Community Organizer/ PhD Student), and Shirley Leyro (PhD Student/ Instructor at City University of New York).​​

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Administrative Director

The Bronx Health Link, Inc. (TBHL)

Shirley P. Leyro, Ph.D.

Youtube; "January 2020 | LATiNAS" Jan 14, 2020

​On this episode of Latinas - host Tinabeth Piña sits down with NY State Assembly Woman and CUNY alum Catalina Cruz, correspondent Elena Romero interviews Dr. Shirley Leyro about the number of Latinas earning their PhD's.​​