People

Luis Fleischman, Ph.D., a Palm Beach State College sociology professor, recently shared his expert perspective in a Newsweek magazine article, “Russia Sparks Rare Condemnation From One of Its Closest Allies.”

Quoted extensively in the Sept. 8 article, Fleischman countered the Cuban position that Russia is solely responsible for recruiting Cuban soldiers for the war in Ukraine through a human trafficking network.

Fleischman has written books on Latin America and the Middle East and contributes articles to academic, government and think tank publications, which is why he is contacted by U.S. and Spanish-language media outlets for his opinion on such issues.

Co-founder and co-president of the Palm Beach Center for Democracy and Policy Research, Fleischman is originally from Uruguay but also lived in Israel for 10 years. Prior to PBSC, he worked for various nonprofits and as an adjunct professor at Barry University, Florida Atlantic University and Kean University in New Jersey.

Now in his sixth year at PBSC, Fleischman teaches at the Belle Glade and Loxahatchee Groves campuses. He shares his projects with his students, especially when they relate to something being discussed in class. His students see him as a reference, somebody who can provide information and advice, and he encourages them to keep in touch.

“What I enjoy about being a professor is the ability to communicate ideas—the fact that I can help students develop critical thinking,” Fleischman said. “One of the things I love is to help students who come from less advantageous backgrounds and see them move up. That gives me a lot of joy.”