An Innovative Teacher at Touro, and a Mentor Long After Graduation
Touro Professor Tom Rozinski Brings New Approach to the Classroom While Working Closely with Students to Ensure Their Success in Law School and Beyond
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For almost two decades, Professor Tom Rozinski has been a cornerstone of academic life at Touro University, where his teaching, mentorship and innovative approach to education have helped shape generations of students. Rozinski is widely respected not only for his intellectual rigor and professional accomplishments but for the deep, lasting relationships he builds with students.
Rozinski brings a rare breadth of real-world experience to the classroom. A graduate of Yale University and Harvard Law School with a master’s degree in government from Harvard University, he spent years in legal practice and public service before entering full-time academia. His career includes work as a partner in a law firm and seven years in New York City government, including as Commissioner of Homeless Services. His background informs his teaching, allowing him to connect theory to practice in ways that resonate with students preparing for careers in law, government and public service.
“I wanted to be able to bring something more to the classroom than theory alone,” he said. “Students deserve to understand how law and government actually work.”
Most of his classes have been at Touro’s undergraduate Lander Colleges in Queens, Brooklyn and Manhattan, where Rozinski teaches political science and law-related courses. He strongly believes that the “best education takes place in the classroom, where students have the opportunity to discuss ideas, not just listen to lectures,” he said.
His courses are designed to mirror real professional work. Students write op-ed pieces connecting political theory to current events, draft judicial opinions, argue cases and participate in formal debates. Rozinski even authored a textbook for his debating course, which focuses on argumentation, rebuttal and critical thinking skills that extend far beyond law school.
Innovation is another hallmark of Rozinski’s teaching style. To help students connect abstract ideas to the modern world, he often incorporates music and popular culture into class discussions. “Sometimes the ideas of political philosophers are reflected in popular music,” he said. “It gives students a way in, and something memorable to hold onto.”
Beyond the classroom, Rozinski is recognized for his dedication to advising and mentorship, especially for students pursuing law school. A former president of the Northeast Association of Pre-Law Advisors and founder of the New York Association for Pre-Law Advising and Pedagogy, he works closely with students on writing development and application strategy, often providing multiple rounds of feedback.
“Professor Rozinski played a critical role in my law school application process,” said Ariel Goodstein, a former student at the Lander College of Arts and Sciences in Brooklyn. Goodstein is now in his second year at Harvard Law School. “He offered sharp and incisive feedback, and his prior firsthand admissions experience gave me confidence that his advice was both informed and reliable.”
For Rozinski, teaching is ultimately about relationships. “I’ve had a lot of jobs in my life, but teaching at Touro has been the most fulfilling because of the close relationship I have with my students, now and well past graduation,” he said. “And at this point I’ve been here 20 years, so I’m not going anywhere.”
