Paul C. Clement is an associate professor of Economics and chair of the Department of Social Sciences at the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), State University of New York (SUNY).
Clement, who was born on Grenada’s smaller sister isle, Petite Martinque – the larger one is Carriacou – holds a Ph.D. in politics from The New School University in Manhattan; a Master of Arts (MA) degree in politics from The New School University; a Master of Arts (MA, Honors) degree in economics from Brooklyn College of the City University of New York (CUNY); and a Bachelor of Science (BS) degree in accounting from Brooklyn College, CUNY.
He also holds a certificate in industrial and labor relations from Cornell University.
Clement’s interests are in the areas of international political economy and comparative politics.
His current research focuses on the politics of regional integration in the developing world, namely Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa.
Clement has also been an adjunct professor in economics, from 1990 — present, at Nassau Community College in Long Island; and an adjunct professor in economics, from 1998-2013, at St. Francis College in Brooklyn.
He teaches courses in macroeconomics, microeconomics, international economics, labor economics, health economics, and money and banking.
Clement’s forthcoming papers are on “Foreign Aid and Regional Integration: The CARICOM case;” “The Influence of National Parliaments on Caribbean integration;” and “Implementation Deficit: Why member States do not comply with CARICOM directives.”
On March 26 this year, he wrote an article in the New York Times on “Reflecting on the Trayvon Martin Tragedy.”
He has published two books: “The Quest for Economic Development in the Caribbean (1999)” and “Petite Martinique: Traditions and Social Change (2000).” Among Clement’s recent scholarly presentations are: “Contemporary Issues of Conflict and Governance” at the 68th Annual New York State Political Science Association (NYSPSA) Conference; “Making Unions and Workplaces More Diverse,” AFT/NEA Joint Higher Education Conference, Lake Buena Vista, Fl.; and “The Politics of Regional Integration in the Developing World: The Case of the Caribbean Community (CARICOM),” Economic Globalization, Development and Integration Conference, Lehman College, CUNY.
Clement’s recent professional conferences comprise co-chair, conference on Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), FIT; New York State United Teachers (NYSUT) Financial and Fiscal Reporting, Tarrytown, N.Y.; American Federation of Teachers (AFT) Special Leadership Conference, Washington D.C.; and moderator, Legal Issues, New York State United Teachers Community College Conference, Saratoga N.Y.
Clement has professional membership in several organizations, including the American Economic Association (AEA; American Political Science Association (APSA); Eastern Economic Association (EEA); Caribbean Studies Association (CSA); New York State United Teachers (NYSUT); and American Federation of Teachers (AFT).
He told Caribbean Life that it is “a great accomplishment, as the first Black, to chair the Department of Social Sciences at FIT.
“It serves as a role model for young Blacks in the community,” he said. “It says a lot.”
Clement, who worked with the youth at Erasmus High School in the East Flatbush, Brooklyn, said his achievements should also inspire young people to realize their dreams.
“It should give them some encouragement — that with hard work and determination, they can break down barriers,” he said.
Clement also said that one’s place of birth should not deter one from reaching for the stars. His native island, Petit Martinique, has a population of only 800.
“With persistence and educational pursuits, one can go places,” he said, stating that he never made his place of birth hinder his goals. “Once there’s hope and a drive to succeed, one will do well — no matter what.”
