On May 9, 2025, the Sarah Lawrence College Board of Trustees granted tenure to two distinguished faculty members in recognition of their scholarly achievements and dedication to student-centered teaching. Their work reflects the values at the heart of our academic mission — congratulations to both!
An Li, The John A. Hill Endowed Chair in Economic Analysis
Drawn to economics for its practical power to address real-world problems, An Li focuses on environmental economics and justice. “Environmental crises are, to a large extent, economic questions,” he says. At Sarah Lawrence, An encourages students to think critically about economic institutions and their limits, exploring how economics can contribute to — but also constrain — social solutions of environmental crises.
Since joining the faculty in 2019, An has embraced the College’s interdisciplinary and collaborative ethos. As a co-founder of the Sarah Lawrence Interdisciplinary Collaborative on the Environment (SLICE), he works with faculty and students across disciplines to explore the intersections of economics, politics, history, and environmental justice. A recent paper co-authored with students examines how U.S. financial systems must evolve to support the transition to clean energy.
In the classroom, An creates a space for lifelong learning and intellectual exploration. Emphasizing ongoing debates and emerging methods in economics, courses equip students with tools to analyze complex problems well beyond graduation. “We learn how to ask questions — and how not to be misled by oversimplified answers.”
An’s current research centers on institutional environmental economics: how political, economic, and cultural systems shape environmental behaviors. One project explores how constitutional protections can empower communities — especially low-income communities of color — to advocate for environmental justice. Another, developed with student collaborators, investigates how global debt infrastructures affect the economic and ecological future of developing nations.
Caden Manson, Director of the Theatre Program
Since joining Sarah Lawrence in 2019, Caden Manson has led the College’s bold, interdisciplinary theatre program. A founding member of Big Art Group, their work spans performance, media, and radical queer narrative structures, often blending genres to create immersive, disruptive experiences. Their projects have toured across 14 countries, been co-produced by major international festivals, and earned fellowships from the Foundation for Contemporary Arts, Pew Center, and MacDowell.
Caden’s teaching draws from decades of touring, creating, and collaborating. “I always loved doing workshops while on tour,” they say. “Eventually, I realized I wanted to teach more and tour less.” After leading the directing program at Carnegie Mellon, Caden was drawn to Sarah Lawrence for its flexible, interdisciplinary model and collaborative faculty.
In the classroom, Caden emphasizes project-driven pedagogy that fosters creativity and shared knowledge. “I don’t believe in experts,” they say. “My role is to scaffold learning and support students as generative artists.” Their teaching integrates fast-moving creative labs with longer-term projects that help students build embodied artistic practices.
Currently, Caden is focused on rebuilding post-pandemic industry pathways and expanding global opportunities for students. “Sarah Lawrence does efficiency with intention,” they say. “And that’s what makes this moment here so exciting.”