Sociology Graduate Students
- Pronouns he/him
- Title
- PhD Student
- Division Social Sciences Division
- Department
- Sociology Department
- Mail Stop No Mailstop
Research Interests
John's graduate studies in sociology and political science closely align with his interests in political sociology. His master’s thesis in sociology investigated the question, "How Does the middle class Achieve Higher Class Status in Segregated 21st-Century United States?" The primary objective of his research was to examine upward mobility among the middle class in the United States. His findings thus far revealed that social mobility among the U.S. middle class is notably low, with merely 2.8% of his study sample experiencing an upward status from 1990 to the present. This result underscores the critical need to comprehend the middle class's obstacles in pursuing advancement.
The aspiration for social advancement is a fundamental part of the American ethos. There is a widely held belief that hard work and dedication lead to significant rewards and that a strong work ethic can help individuals move up the social ladder. John’s research aims to determine whether empirical studies can support this belief by examining the barriers to upward social mobility faced by the middle class.
Other research interests include social psychology, cultural sociology, emotions, social theory, and finance.
Biography, Education and Training
John Lewis (he/him) is presently pursuing a doctorate and is a recipient of the prestigious Eugene Cota Robles Fellowship. He earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Finance. Following his undergraduate studies, John was selected as one of twenty-four participants in a distinguished commercial banking training program, an opportunity extended to him after being chosen from a pool of over 8,500 applicants.
John subsequently dedicated a decade to the banking industry, commencing his career in Charlotte, North Carolina, and ultimately returning to his hometown of Chicago, Illinois, after professional experiences in Los Angeles and Atlanta. While employed full-time at Bank of America in Chicago, he pursued a master's degree in political science. After completing his academic coursework, John relocated to Los Angeles, where he assumed a commercial banking loan officer position at Pacific Western Bank.
John made the transition from Pacific Western Bank to pursue an exciting new venture: the creation of a network of private mental health inpatient healthcare centers in Southern California. These centers aim to serve adolescents, adults, and individuals of all genders, with a particular focus on meeting the needs of underserved populations. In addition to his leadership role at these facilities, he earned a master’s degree in sociology from California State University, Los Angeles.
