UMass Boston

 Brendan W. O'Connor

 Director
 Brendan.OConnor@umb.edu

Brendan W. O'Connor, a combat veteran of the war in Afghanistan, has  joined the William Joiner Institute as the new Director. Brendan, who retired from the U.S. Army after a 38-year career. Brendan holds a B.S. in Health Sciences from Campbell University. He served in the Cold War, the Drug War and the Global War on Terror on many continents.     Brendan looks forward to using his vast experience to help the WJI become a leader facilitating objective discourse about the social consequences of war and military service, and producing positive change through research and service, as well as celebration of military veteran accomplishments. He is excited and grateful for the opportunity before him, and looking forward to working with, and for, veterans, their families, and others impacted by war and military service.

Steve Medeiros

PhD Candidate,  Researcher

Steve.Medeiros001@umb.edu

Steve is currently pursuing his PhD in cultural anthropology as part of the team in the Experimental Anthropology Lab in the Evolution, Cognition, and Culture program at UCONN after having completed his B.A. in Anthropology from UMass Boston, as an Honors College Scholar, Summa Cum Laude. Steve served overseas in the US Army Military Police Corps for 5 years. Upon returning home he was the owner and operator of a successful small business before returning to school to pursue his passions. He uses interdisciplinary methodology to better understand the cultural, cognitive, and biological underpinnings and mechanisms of social cohesion in small groups in relation to conflict and cooperation. His interests are in exploring social and cultural behaviors, values and mythologies of the "warrior", especially in the American law enforcement and military context. He embraces any opportunity to hear about veterans experiences and looks forward to contributing to the veteran community in this role.  Steve lives north of Boston with his wife and three daughters. In his free time, he likes to draw and paint and enjoys spending time with his family

Nicole SanJuan

Assistant Director: William Joiner Institute

PhD Candidate
Nicole.SanJaun001@umb.edu

Nicole is currently a PhD student in the Sociology department at UMass Boston. She previously received her MA in International Relations from Free University Berlin, and BSc in Social Science with a focus in Political Science from University of Maryland Global Campus. She grew up in Fairhaven, MA, and served in the US Air Force as a medic for 7 years overseas. Upon completion of her service, she decided to stay overseas to study, travel, and work with refugees. She taught as an adjunct in military communities in Europe and the Middle East until beginning her PhD program in 2022.  

Nicole is interested in the political socialization of the military, veteran and refugee experiences, and the consequences of war around the world. In her free time, she enjoys traveling abroad and hiking with her partner. She looks forward to researching and contributing to the important work taking place at the WJI.