Institute for Immigration Research

The Institute for Immigration Research (IIR) is excited to welcome Michelle Dromgold-Sermen. Michelle joined the IIR as Assistant Director in February 2023. In this role, she will support the institute's administration, visioning, mentoring of students, and research.

Professional male athletes, particularly in the National Football League, have often been held up as the epitome of toxic male masculinity. This is not without good reason. In the past decade, NFL players have been arrested and convicted in cases of domestic violence, driving under the influence, illegal drug charges, involuntary manslaughter and, in the case of New England Patriots tight end Aaron Hernandez, even murder.

IIR Postdoctoral Research Fellow, Dr. Marissa Kiss, was interviewed by the Associated Press to discuss nepotism in the NFL. In recent decades immigrants have been underrepresented in the NFL. This is changing and hopefully immigrants along with African Americans will be able to bring their talent to the ranks of NFL coaches.