by Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute
The Samuel DeWitt Proctor Institute for Leadership, Equity, and Justice is proud to present the “Varying Viewpoints” podcast. Our podcast series highlights recent and relevant work of emerging and established scholars and provides an engaging way to share innovative scholarship that focuses on diversifying leadership, enhancing equity, and fostering justice in higher education.
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Publishing Since
7/2/2020
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April 16, 2025
In this episode of Varying Viewpoints, we explore the complex landscape of parental involvement in education, focusing on families from diverse backgrounds. Schools have become focal points for some of the most contentious debates in the United States, centering on civil rights and curriculum content. In classrooms nationwide, educators battle with presenting narratives to students that address complex historical and contemporary issues such as indigenous removal, segregation, sex education, gender identity, and intersectionality. The involvement of parents, through political and social networks, increasingly influences these narratives, impacting both the content shared and the discussions that occur. The decisions made about educational content have profound implications for shaping our cultural landscape and the future of our democracy. More recent debates have focused on how to address racism in educational settings, including controversies over the inclusion of critical race theory, which links historical slavery to modern inequities. There is also significant contention surrounding book bans, particularly those involving LGBTQIA+ characters, with some advocating for censorship in school libraries by removing these books from collections. The increase in parental activism, marked by its intensity and scope, is reshaping educational instruction. It reflects broader societal conflicts over what American children should learn and challenges the portrayal of certain knowledge as “divisive concepts”. These debates are not just about educational policy but are deeply intertwined with the values and vision for the future of the country and our families.
January 12, 2025
The influence of HBCU homecomings stretches far and wide as many PWIs have taken heed in replicating similar experiences for their Black students and alumni. In our final episode highlighting HBCU homecomings, Brandon Kitchin speaks to the influence HBCU homecomings have on Black alumni homecoming experiences at PWIs. Kitchen, an alumnus of Texas Christian University (TCU), talked about his experiences as a student and its influence on him returning to ensure that Black students can commune with alumni. Additionally, Kitchin speaks about making space for Black students and alumni through the ‘Black Alumni Alliance Tailgate’ celebration as their presence contributes to the overall sustainability of TCU and its institutions. Listen to this episode to hear Brandon's insights on the influence of HBCU homecomings on PWIs, his experience at TCU, and his efforts to foster connections between Black students and alumni.
January 5, 2025
In this episode of the Varying Viewpoints podcast series, we invited Alvin Schexnider, Managing Principal at Schexnider & Associates, LLC, to discuss his book Confessions of a Black Academic. He reflects on his experiences growing up in the segregated South, navigating academia and advocating for greater support for Black faculty and students. Alvin describes Confessions of a Black Academic as a deeply personal and reflective account of his journey through higher education and leadership. He shares his motivation for writing the book, emphasizing the responsibility of leaders to document their experiences to inspire and guide others. Alvin also shares how mentorship has shaped his career and his challenges, from being overlooked in academic spaces to navigating biases against research focused on African American studies. Alvin highlights the critical role of HBCUs in fostering upward mobility and the importance of self-care and emotional intelligence in succeeding in professional settings. Listen to this episode to learn more about Alvin’s unique journey, his challenges, and his insights on creating more supportive environments in higher education.
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