We are delighted to announce that Gergana Halpern has been appointed to serve as Deputy Director of the Institute for the Study of Human Rights (ISHR). Gergana brings to the job both enthusiasm and extensive experience in program management and academic administration, with a background in law, research, and advocacy.
Gergana joined the Institute for the Study of Human Rights in 2014 and has held various positions with ISHR's Education Program. Most recently, she served as Director of Education, where she oversaw daily operations and managed all aspects of the Institute’s graduate, undergraduate, and certificate programs. She spearheaded academic and administrative policies focused on supporting teaching and fostering student success, academic excellence, and outstanding educational outcomes. She oversaw sustained programmatic growth, leading and executing innovative program evaluation, curriculum development, and alumni engagement initiatives. Under her leadership, the Education Program also expanded career mentoring, skills-building, and research and experiential opportunities for students.
Before joining the Institute, Gergana served in research, advocacy, and campaigning roles at Amnesty International’s USA and UN offices, working on issues of migration, maternal health, and socio-economic rights, and at the Scholars at Risk Network at NYU, where she engaged in legal advocacy around academic freedom.
Gergana holds a J.D. in International and Comparative Law (Benjamin N. Cardozo School of Law) and a B.A. in International Studies and Political Science (Ramapo College). She is an avid reader of Science Fiction and a newly minted swimming enthusiast.
