Cinzia Pica is a Full Professor of Human Services at Assumption University in Worcester, United States. Currently, she is a Visiting Scholar at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and the Immigration Initiative at Harvard (2025-2026). She has focused her research on issues of racial and economic justice in schools, youth’s intergroup friendships in school settings (both in the U.S. and in Italy), and intercultural education initiatives in Europe. Dr. Pica’s first book (co-authored with Carmen Veloria and Rina Manuela Contini), Social Justice Education in European Multiethnic Schools: Addressing the Goals of Intercultural Education (2019) was awarded the American Educational Studies Association’s 2019 Critics’ Choice Book Award. Her second book, an edited collection (also edited with her colleagues, Carmen Veloria and Rina Manuela Contini), titled Intercultural Education: Critical Perspectives, Pedagogical Challenges and Promising Practices earned a 2023 Society of Professors of Education, Outstanding Book Award, Honorable Mention. Her most recent edited volume, published in 2025 and edited with colleague Alessandro Bergamaschi, is titled Intergroup Contact, Friendship and Prejudice Reduction in Multiethnic Schools. Her work on the raced, classed, and gendered deficit discourses related to so-called “at risk” youth earned a Distinguished Paper Award by the American Educational Research Association, and she has been honored by the Association for Childhood Education International for her research on interracial friendship research in children. Her scholarship on interracial friendships and prejudice reduction has been featured in the U.S. media through a TEDx talk and several National Public Radio (NPR) programs including Code Switch, the Academic Minute and 51%. Dr. Pica is a licensed mental health counselor (LMHC) and integrates her experience as a practicing psychotherapist into her teaching.
Degrees Earned
Ed.D. Child and Family Studies, May 2008
University of Massachusetts Amherst
Ed.M. Human Development and Psychology, Risk and Prevention, June 2003
Harvard University, Cambridge, MA
M.S.Ed. Community Counseling, May 1999
The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY
B.A. English, May 1992
The College of Saint Rose, Albany, NY
Undergraduate Courses Taught
HUS 119 Introduction to Human Services
HUS 121 Human Development and Disability Across the Lifespan
HUS 201 Culturally Responsive Practice in Health and Human Services
HUS 230 Applied Interviewing Skills in Health and Human Services
HUS 241 Prevention and Intervention Strategies for Youth
HUS 340 Principles of Case Management
HUS 420 Family Systems
HUS 421 Grief and Loss
Publications & Editorships
Books
Bergamaschi, A. & Pica, C. (Eds.) (2025). Intergroup Contact, Friendship and Prejudice Reduction in Multiethnic Schools: Psychological, Sociological and Pedagogical Research and Theory. Routledge.
Pica-Smith, C., Veloria, C. & Contini, R. M. (Eds.) (2020). Intercultural Education: Critical Perspectives, Pedagogical Challenges and Promising Practices. Nova Science Publishers.
Pica-Smith, C., Contini, R. M., & Veloria, C. (2019). Social Justice Education in European Multi-Ethnic Schools: Addressing the Goals of Intercultural Education. Routledge.
Journal Articles and Book Chapters
Suárez-Orozco, C., Calderon-Moya, M., Buchanan, B., Lezberg, E., Onaga, M., & Pica, C. (2026). Assessing school climate for immigrant-origin students: Multistakeholder insights in “fearsome times”. Immigration Initiative at Harvard.
Suárez-Orozco, C., Calderon-Moya, M., Buchanan, B., Lezberg, E., Onaga, M., & Pica, C. (2025, December). Assessing school climate for immigrant-origin students in “fearsome times”: Insights from administrators
(Educator Brief Series, Vol. 3, No. 2). Immigration Initiative at Harvard, Harvard Graduate School of Education. https://immigrationinitiative.harvard.edu
Pica, C. (2024). Best Practices in Human Services Education. Journal of Human Services, 42(2), 1–4. https://doi.org/10.52678/001c.120216
Pica, C. (2023). Facilitating Learning in Context: Refugee Resettlement Case Management Pedagogy in a Human Services Course. Journal of Human Services, 42(2). https://doi.org/10.52678/001c.88172
Colón, M., Veloria, N. C. & Pica-Smith, C., & Rina Manuela Contini (2022). A Systems’ analysis of barriers and opportunities: Latine education in Massachusetts. International Migration: Special Issue. http://doi.org/10.1111/imig.13099
Williams, C., & Pica-Smith, C. (2022). Camera Use in the Online Classroom: Students and Educators’ Perspectives. European Journal of Teaching and Education, 4(2): x-x. https://doi.org/10.33422/ejte.v4i2.736
Pica-Smith, C. & Scannell, C. (2020). Teaching and learning for this moment: How a trauma informed lens can guide our praxis. Journal of Multidisciplinary Perspectives in Higher Education, 5(1).
Modood, T., Contini, R. M., & Pica-Smith, C. (2020). The multiculturalism-interculturalism debate: an interview with Tariq Modood. In C. Pica-Smith, Veloria, C., & R. M. Contini (Eds.). Intercultural Education: Critical Perspectives, Pedagogical Challenges and Promising Practices. New York: Nova Science Publishers.
Pica-Smith, C., Contini, R. M., & Ives, B. (2018). Children’s Intergroup Friendships in Italian Multiethnic Schools. Italian Journal of Sociology of Education, 10(3) p. 140-163.
Contini, R.M. & Pica-Smith, C. (2018). Education and Diversity: Theoretical and Practical Issues. Studi di Sociologia, 3, 239-256.
Pica-Smith, C. (2018). The language of the academy: An English language learner in a doctoral program. In J. A. Kennedy & B. A. Burnell (Eds.). Personal Narratives of Diverse Women Thriving or Striving through the Doctoral Experience. Oakville, ON: Apple Academic Press.
Contini, R. M., & Pica-Smith, C. (2017). Problematizing the Conceptual Framework of Interculturalism and its Pedagogical Extension of Intercultural Education: Theoretical Perspectives and their Implications. Italian Journal of Sociology of Education, 9(3), 236-255.
Pica-Smith, C., & Poynton, T. (2017). Supporting interethnic and interracial friendships among youth to reduce prejudice and racism in schools: The role of the school counselor. In T. P. Remley, Jr., W. D. Rock, &
R. M. Reed (Eds.), Ethical and legal issues in school counseling (4th ed.)(pp. 378-392). Reprinted article from Professional School Counseling, 18(1), 82-89. doi: http://dx.doi.org/10.5330/prsc.18.1.u80765360j5825l0
Pica-Smith, C., Antognazza, D., Marland, J. J., & Crescentini, A. (2017). A cross-cultural study of Italian and U.S. children’s perceptions of interethnic and interracial friendships in two urban schools. Cogent Education, 4(1), 1280255. https://doi.org/10.1080/2331186X.2017.1280255
Pica-Smith, C. & Poynton, T. (2014). Supporting interethnic and interracial friendships among youth to reduce prejudice and racism in schools: The role of the school counselor. Professional School Counseling, 18, 82-89.
Pica-Smith, C. & Veloria, C. (2012). “At risk means a minority kid”: Deconstructing deficit discourses in the study of risk in education and human services. Pedagogy and Human Sciences, 1, 2, 33-48.
Pica-Smith, C. (2011). Children’s perceptions of interracial friendships in a multiethnic school context. Journal of Research in Childhood Education, 25, 2, 119-132.
Pica-Smith, C. (2010, December 16). “Design your own life!” Thoughts on ethnicity, race, and parenting biracial children. The Journal of Family Life.
Galman, S.A., Pica-Smith, C., & Rosenberger, C. (2010). Aggressive and tender navigations: Teacher educators confront whiteness in their practice. Journal of Teacher Education, 61(3), 225-236.
Pica-Smith, C. (2009). Children speak about interethnic and interracial friendships in the classroom: Lessons for teachers. Multicultural Education, 17, 1, 38-47.
Media
Featured Presenter on the AskPsychSessions Podcast. Episode 97: What are the benefits of a class with listening and interviewing skills August 8, 2023.
Interviewed and Featured for “Ending the cycle: Students wage public campaign for a private need” Worcester Magazine, September 22, 2020. https://www.telegram.com/entertainmentlife/20200922/ending-cycle-students-wage-public-campaign-forprivate-need
Featured Presenter on NPR’s The Academic Minute, aired on WAMC, September 9, 2020. https://academicminute.org/2020/09/cinzia-pica-smith-assumption-university-interracial-friendships/
Featured Guest Expert for the episode “What About Your Friends?” on Code Switch, NPR, January 22, 2020. https://www.npr.org/2020/01/22/798367810/ask-code-switch-what-about-your-friends
Featured Guest for “The Importance of Cross-Race Friendships” on NPR’s 51% with Allison Dunne, WAMC Northeast Public Radio, July 3, 2019. https://www.wamc.org/post/51-1562-importance-cross-racefriendships-inclusivity-ice
TEDx Presenter. “Interracial Friendships in Schools: Why Diversity Day Isn’t Enough.” TEDx Women, Easthampton, Massachusetts, December 1, 2018. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hyi1ZqhFWNI&t=80s
Interviewed and Featured for “Education: Cross-Race Relationships Seen as Critical for Young Students.” Worcester Magazine, December 27, 2018. https://www.worcestermag.com/news/20181227/educationcross-race-relationships-seen-as-critical-for-young-students
Interviewed and Featured for “Real Friendships Reflect some Real Progress.” Telegram & Gazette, June 3, 2016. https://www.telegram.com/article/20110117/NEWS/101170337/1101/rss01&source=rss
Presentations
Pica, C. (2025, Feb 18). Intergroup Contact, Friendship and Prejudice Reduction in Multiethnic Schools and Communities. [Lecture Presentation]. Immigration Initiative at Harvard Speaker Series. Harvard University.
Pica, C. (2024, Nov 27). Multiculturalism in the United States: Navigating Backlash in a Shifting Political Ecosystem. [Conference Presentation]. Les Politiques de la Diversite’ Dans Des Context Divers. Universite’ de Lorraine.
Pica, C. (2024, Nov 14). Addressing Educational Inequities: Latine Students in Massachusetts. [Conference Presentation]. 5ème Rencontres internationales du Réseau International Education et Diversité Marseille.
Pica C., & Cannistraro, K. (2024, Nov 9). Building LGBTQIA+ Affirming Spaces and Practice. [Conference Presentation]. National Organization for Human Services, New Orleans, Louisiana.
Williams C. & Pica C. (2023, Nov 11). Engaged Learning Pedagogies in Human Service Education: Practical Strategies, Implementation Experiences, and Future Directions. [Conference Presentation]. National Organization for Human Services.
Colon, M., Veloria, C., Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R. M. (2023, May 5). A Systems Analysis of Latine education in Massachusetts. [Conference Presentation]. New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, New Hampshire.
Contini, R.M, Colon, M., Veloria, C. & Pica-Smith, C. (2023, April 14). Latine Students in Massachusetts: A Call for Critical Integration. [Conference Presentation]. AIS-EDU International Conference on Education as Commons, Democratic Values, Social Justice and Inclusion, Palermo, Italy.
Colon, M., Veloria, C., Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R. M. (2022, November 5). Latine education in Massachusetts. [Conference Presentation]. New England Council of Latin American Studies NECLAS Conference, Central Connecticut State University, New Britain.
Colon, M., Veloria, C., Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R. M. (2022, October 1). A Systems’ analysis of barriers and opportunities: Latine education in Massachusetts. [Conference Presentation]. International Association Intercultural Education Conference, Athens, Greece.
Williams, C. & Pica-Smith, C. (2022, April 8). Camera Use in Remote and Hybrid Classrooms: Students and Educators’ Perspectives on Creating Community and Supporting Student Engagement and Participation. [Conference Presentation]. New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH.
Pica-Smith, C., (2021) Chair and Symposium Organizer, Intercultural Education Towards Social Justice? Critical Perspectives, Pedagogical Challenges and Promising Practices. Accepted. Association for Moral Education’s Annual Conference, Online, November 3-7.
Contini, R, M., Pica-Smith, C. & Scannell, C. (2021). Rethinking Education in Times of Crisis: Assessing and Addressing Educational Inequities Using Systems’ Frameworks, Trauma Informed Care, and Social Justice Education. European Sociological Association, Barcelona, August 31-September 2.
Pica-Smith, C. and Scannell, C. (2021) Students’ and Educators’ Perspectives on Camera Use in the Classroom: Thinking Through Issues of Inclusion, Equity, Engagement, and Safety on Screens. International Conference on Research in Teaching and Learning, London, August 27-29.
Pica-Smith, C. , Contini, R. M. & Veloria, C. M. (2021). “Intercultural Education: Critical Perspectives, Pedagogical Challenges and Promising Practices.” Webinar Presentation, Fondazione ISMU, Iniziativa e Studi sulla Multietnicità. Milano, Italy, July 6.
Pica-Smith, C. & Veloria, C. M. (2021). Social Justice Education in Multiethnic Schools: Addressing the Goals of Intercultural Education. New England Educational Research Organization Conference, March 26.
Contini, R. M. Pica-Smith, C., and Veloria, C. M. (2020). “Educazione Interculturale, una questione di giustizia sociale?” Webinar Presentation, Fondazione ISMU, Iniziativa e Studi sulla Multietnicità. Milano,
Italy, July 16.
Pica-Smith, C., Contini, R. M., Veloria, C. M., (2020). “Diversity and Education” Colloquium presentation, Twentieth International Conference on Diversity in Organizations, Communities, and Nations, University of Milan, Italy, June 10-12.
Pica-Smith, C., Contini, R. M., Veloria, C. M., Di Francesco, G. (2019). Social Justice and Intercultural Education? An Italian Case Study. Paper presented at the 14th Conference of the European Sociological Association “Europe and Beyond: Boundaries, Barriers and Belonging.” University of Manchester, United Kingdom, August 20-23.
Contini, R. M. Pica-Smith, C. (2018). Declinazione Educative dell’intercultura: Concettualizzazione e implementazione nel mondo della scuola. Paper presented at the Convegno di Fine Mandato, Sociologia dell’Educazione, at the University of Salerno in Salerno, Italy, May, 17-18.
Pica-Smith C., & Contini, R. M. (2018). Interculturalism in Italian Multiethnic Schools: Teachers’ Reflections Cosntructions and Interpretations. Paper presented to the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH, May 2-4.
Pica-Smith, C., & Robinson, E. (2018) Discussants and Symposium Organizers for Theory Into Action: Teaching and Learning Beyond the Classroom Walls. Symposium Presented at the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH, May 2-4.
Pica-Smith, C., Ives, B., & Contini, R. M. (2018). Intergroup Friendships in Italian Multiethnic Schools. Paper presented to the American Educational Research Association Conference, New York City, NY, April 13-17.
Di Francesco, G., Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R.M. (2017). Migration, Intergroup Friendships, and Sociocultural Integration. Paper Presented to the European Sociological Association 2017 Conference, Athens, Greece, August 29-Septmeber 1.
Di Francesco, G., Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R.M. (2017). Global Discussion About Migration, Identity and Education, Sessions 1, 2, and 3 Organizers and Chairs European Sociological Association 2017 Conference, Athens, Greece, August 29-Septmeber 1.
Pica-Smith, C. & Insignares, M. (2017). Interrupting Xenophobic Discourses and the “Othering” of Migrants: Using Community Service Learning Pedagogy to Teach about Refugee Resettlement. Paper presented at the Jesuit Universities Humanitarian Action Network Conference, Worcester, MA, June 26-29.
Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R. M. (2017). Italian Schools and Interculturality: Integration and Discrimination in Friendship Formation. Paper presented to the American Educational Research Association 2017 Conference, San Antonio, TX, April 26-May 1.
Pica-Smith, C. & Contini, R. M. (2017). Italian Schools and Interculturality: Abbruzzo Case Study. Paper presented to the New England Educational Research Organization, Portsmouth, NH, April 5-7.
Pica-Smith, C. (2016). Understanding Children’s Perceptions of Intergroup Friendships. Kim Fries Award Presentation. Presented at the New England Educational Organizations’ Annual Conference, Portsmouth,
NH, April 27-29.
Grants and Awards
Awards
2025-2026 Appointment as Vising Scholar at Harvard’s Graduate School of Education and Immigration Initiative at Harvard
2023 The Society of Professors of Education, Outstanding Book Award, Honorable Mention
2022 Paul Ziegler Presidential Award for Excellence in Scholarship
2022 The Society of Professors of Education, Outstanding Book Award, Honorable Mention
2019-2020 Istituto Ateneo di Ricerca Research Fellowship Awardee, Universita’ Chieti-Pescara
2019 American Educational Studies Association’s Critics Choice Book Award http://educationalstudies.org/critics-choice-book-awards.php
2017 article chosen for publication in ASCA’s (American School Counseling Association) Ethical and Legal Issues in School Counseling (4th edition)
2016 Kim Fries Early Career Award, New England Educational Research Organization
2013 Distinguished Paper Award, American Educational Research Association
2012 Rubovits Award for Best Paper, New England Educational Research Organization
2012 Distinguished Education Research Article Award, Honorable Mention, Journal of Research in Childhood Education, Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
2008 Graduate Level Member and Co-Chair of the Assumption College Chapter of Tau Upsilon Alpha, National Organization for Human Services Honor Society
2005 Winner of New England Educational Research Organization’s John Schmitt Award for outstanding research at the graduate level
Member Chi Sigma Iota Counseling Academic & Professional International Honor Society
Grants
2022-2024 Assumption University Course Load Reduction for Scholarship Grant
2020 Istituto Ateneo di Ricerca Research Fellowship, Universita’ Chieti-Pescara
2019 Assumption College Faculty Development Grant Recipient
2017 Assumption College Faculty Development Grant Recipient
2017 NetVUE and The Council of Independent Colleges Grant
2013 Assumption College Faculty Development Grant Recipient
Assumption College 2013 Faculty Development Grant Recipient
2012 Distinguished Education Research Article Award, Honorable Mention, Journal of Research in Childhood Education, Association for Childhood Education International (ACEI)
2010 Assumption College Faculty Development Grant Recipient
Graduate Level Member and Co-Chair of the Assumption College Chapter of Tau Upsilon Alpha, National Organization for Human Services Honor Society
2008 University of Massachusetts—Amherst, School of Education Research Grant
2007 University of Massachusetts—Amherst, School of Education Dissertation Grant
2006-2007 Joseph W. Keilty Memorial Scholarship Recipient
2005-2006 University of Massachusetts Amherst School of Education Early Childhood Education Scholarship Recipient