Celebrating Diversity This Black History Month

As we commemorate Black History Month, we recognize the myriad contributions and achievements Black Americans have made to our country over the past 245 years.

Even now, we are witnessing history in the making. Last month, Kamala Harris became the first Black and South Asian American vice president of the United States, a feat that political science professor Wendy G. Smooth, Ph.D. explored during her recent live presentation, “Madam VP Kamala Harris: What Did It Take To Get Here?” A scholar at The Ohio State University, Dr. Smooth highlighted the political and social structures that propelled Harris to the nation’s second-highest office. Harris’s uplifting story and trailblazing achievements have inspired millions of young women around the globe to envision building a more equitable world.   

Local Trailblazers 

Here at the College of Arts and Sciences, we recognize a few of the professors in and outside the College whose trailblazing accomplishments inspire and impel us to create a more just society. They have elevated our academic programs by sharing their diverse perspectives and personal experiences with students, faculty, staff, and the greater community. 

Writer Clint Smith interviewed Gregory Freeland, Ph.D., for “Stories of Slavery, From Those Who Survived It,” which appears in the March issue of The Atlantic. In this piece, Dr. Freeland recounts growing up in Durham, N.C., and poignantly discusses what he learned about his great-great grandmother’s early life in the post-Civil War era South. 

Dr. Freeland has taught at Cal Lutheran for nearly three decades and was one of the university’s first faculty members of color. As an authority in political science who has studied American, Latin American, and Caribbean politics, he has a deep understanding of government systems and their impact on societies. He holds dual roles in the College as he also teaches courses in the Global Studies Program. Last year, Californians for Justice named Dr. Freeland one of “California’s Top 100 Black Leaders for School and Communities” because of his commitment to investing in racially diverse neighborhoods across the state.

Department Chair of the Global Studies Program Russell L. Stockard, Jr., Ph.D., M.B.A., A.M., who frequently collaborates with Dr. Freeland, joined the College in July 1991. In addition to leading that program, Dr. Stockard works in the Communication department, where students have benefitted from his impressive array of knowledge. His expertise spans from media studies, creative writing, and audio/video production to quantitative and qualitative research and Caribbean and Latin American Studies. He also recently co-hosted a “Voices of the Nation Poetry Series” event, where he discussed U.S. Poet Laureate Tracy K. Smith’s engagement with social justice.

Social justice relates to various facets of education. It also closely relates to equity, a concept Cal Lutheran and the College values and espouses. Without equity, some of our students would lack access to the necessary technology that allows them to learn — and ultimately thrive — in and outside the classroom. 

At the beginning of the pandemic, the College heavily relied on the expertise of Sharla Berry, Ph.D., assistant professor in the Department of Educational Leadership. Dr. Berry’s research in teaching and learning in online environments influenced the “hybrid” model the College created over the past year, so students could remain engaged virtually and in some instances, in-person, albeit socially distanced. Dr. Berry’s insights showed us the importance of building a strong community for students and their instructors, where everyone can rise in spite of limited internet resources, work-related obligations, or financial challenges.         

Diversity of thought; diversity in action

The College’s coursework and university events celebrate diversity, inclusion, and belonging not only during February but also year-round. We recognize the benefits these values bring to the Cal Lutheran community and how it exposes students to different beliefs in a multicultural world. 

The College offers a Bachelor of Arts degree in Ethnic and Race Studies. In this field, students interact with communities of color to attain the cross-cultural communication skills and analytical perspectives necessary to understand differences in class, race, and gender and the influences these constructs have on communities. Courses offered through this major prepare students for careers in the fields of teaching, public health, human resources, the law, and more. 

Beyond the College, Cal Lutheran offers students multiple opportunities to engage in and explore diversity on a local, national, and international level. They include:

• The Center for Cultural Engagement and Inclusion
• Events & Activities
• Culture & Justice Clubs, including the African Student Association and the Black Student Union
• Virtual Art Exhibits

For the Long Term

The College strives to develop and maintain a curricula that is inclusive, and we realize that this is ongoing work. Engaging the liberal arts from diverse viewpoints cultivates creativity. It promotes empathy and personal growth for people of all backgrounds. At the College, we look forward to continuing to prepare our students to live and work in a diverse and dynamic world.