Stephen M. Cherry, Ph.D., is a nonresident fellow in Religion and Public Policy at Rice's Baker Institute for Public Policy and a Professor of Sociology at the University of Houston - Clear Lake. His research interests include immigration, religion, race, Asian Americans, and civic life. 

He is the author of numerous articles and books, including his latest book, "Importing Care, Faithful Service" (Rutgers University Press, 2023). In 2006, he received the Society for the Scientific Study of Religion Distinguished Article Award. 

During his time at the University of Houston Clear Lake, Stephen has received numerous teaching awards, including the Minnie Stevens Piper Award for Excellence in Teaching (2014) and the President's Distinguished Teaching Award (2014). He received his Ph.D. from the University of Texas at Austin.