P.D. Soros Fellowship for New Americans

RICHARD MORA is an assistant professor of sociology at Occidental College in Los Angeles.

Richard is the son of Mexican immigrants. He was born and spent his childhood in Los Angeles, California.

Richard graduated magna cum laude in sociology from Harvard University. His senior honors thesis focused on how Mexican-American mothers who lost children in gang-related homicides were transformed by the experience. In June 2000, he received an MA in education with teaching certification in social studies and sociology from the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor. He holds a PhD in sociology and social policy from Harvard University.

Returning regularly to his neighborhood to promote the importance of education, Richard had the honor of speaking at the June 2001 graduation ceremony of Nightingale Middle School, of which he is an alumnus.