Abstract

Faculty of color face numerous challenges teaching at predominantly white institutions (PWI). Research suggests that White students often apply more stringent standards when assessing their credibility than they do assessing the credibility of White professors (Hendrix, 1997). Moreover, faculty of color often experience isolation and marginalization in their respective departments (McKay, 1983). In addition, they are usually asked to “diversify” many college committees, which adds stress to the already stressful tenure process (Smith, 1992). This paper examines these and other challenges that faculty of color face on PWI campuses. Additionally, this paper examines a recent incident at a small liberal arts college that sparked a tense online debate about diversity. The primary questions this paper will address are: (1) What are some of the challenges that faculty of color face teaching at PWIs? (2) What have campus administrators done to address these challenges?