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This roundtable features a unique combination of perspectives of four Faculty of Color and how their "Stories from the Front of the Room" include a diverse array of narratives about how Faculty of Color navigate marginality in their everyday experiences on campus. Our intent is to present a more complete picture of life in the academy and within Honors circles - one that documents how faculty of color are tested by its structures, but also how they can survive and thrive within their respective educational institutions and Honors programs.

Contributing panelists were asked to paint a picture of an event or a series of events in a non-traditional format—a letter. The letter format of the panel allows the listener to gain a richer understanding of the day-to-day meetings, interactions, emails, and emotions that nudge faculty of color toward marginal positions in the Ivory Tower and, in many cases, how they break through these barriers. Providing examples of a wide variety of experiences from different instructors of different genders and races across different institutions and disciplines from various regions of the country, the letters are addressed to colleagues, students, administrators, mentors, and friends. Some speak of invisibility, discrimination or exclusion in relation to the writers’ race, ethnicity, religion, class, citizenship status, and gender. Others are expressions of love and thanks for mentors, family, and friends. The epistolary style allowed contributors to more freely express themselves, without having to cleave to the traditional rules of academic writing and citation. The powerful message delivered here is that personal experience is valid unto itself.

Ultimately, the exhilaration and exasperation of teaching Honors material with which we connect, but within an environment that is so resourceful but so limited all at the same time (for numerous reasons) must merit additional exposure and discussion.

Facilitators

Frederick Gooding (Dr. G) | Texas Christian University

Frederick W. Gooding, Jr. (PhD, Georgetown University) is an Associate Professor within the Honors College at Texas Christian University in Fort Worth, TX. Gooding critically analyzes race within mainstream media, effectively contextualizing problematic patterns based upon their historical roots. As such, Gooding’s best-known work thus far is “You Mean, There’s RACE in My Movie? The Complete Guide to Understanding Race in Mainstream Hollywood,” which has been utilized in high schools and universities nationwide. Also, the co-editor of “Stories from the Front of the Room: How Higher Education Faculty Overcome Challenges and Thrive in the Academy,” Gooding has stayed focused on the practical applications of equity with his 2018 book, “American Dream Deferred” carefully detailing the growth and struggles of black federal workers in the postwar era. His latest work, “Black Oscar” (May 2020), expands his reach into cultural studies by analyzing African American Academy Award winners and how their narratives reflect and reinforce larger American history.

Mikio Akagi | Texas Christian University

Mikio Akagi (he/him) is Assistant Professor of the History and Philosophy of Science in the Honors College at Texas Christian University. His research concerns contested scientific terms like “cognition,” “consciousness,” and “microaggression,” especially in cognitive science and psychology. He develops ways to model and understand the competing uses of scientific terms, and writes about strategies for overcoming terminological disagreement. Dr. Akagi teaches courses in the philosophy of science and social philosophy. His course designs emphasize skills over content (especially critical thinking and reading) and feature “mastery-based” grading. He organizes TCU’s faculty work in progress talk series for interdisciplinary research and creative activity. Dr. Akagi received his Ph.D. in 2016 from the University of Pittsburgh (in philosophy), an MSc from the University of Edinburgh, and a B.A. from Swarthmore College where he studied in the nation’s oldest Honors program. Dr. Akagi can be reached at m.akagi@tcu.edu.

Estee Hernandez | Texas Christian University

Wendi Sierra | Texas Christian University