For the past 30 years, he has been involved in the fields of sociology, American Studies, multicultural education, ethnic studies, and Asian American Studies. Prior to coming to the University of Maryland, he was the Director of the Center for the Study of Culture, Race, and Ethnicity and Associate Professor of the Sociology Department of Ithaca College. As the Center Director, he was responsible for the development of academic programs in African New World Studies, Asian American Studies, Latino Studies, Native American Studies, and Comparative American and Ethnic Studies at Ithaca College.