The Hispanic Faculty Experience: Opportunities for Growth and Retention in Christian Colleges and Universities

by Edited by Octavio J. Esqueda, Edited by Benjamin Espinoza, Octavio J. Esqueda (Editor)

Hispanics are not a current trend. They have been here for centuries and embody an integral part of the United States and higher education.

Every racial term―including Hispanic, Latino/a, and more recently Latinx and Latine―is imperfect and problematic. There is no consensus about what works best. Despite this reality, the lives and stories of non-White faculty are essential to the future of Christian higher education.

Each author shares their account of working in a predominately White Christian institution. Filled with triumphs, struggles, and penetrating insights, the chapters explain what it is like to experience the shifting demographics of today’s universities, which are bringing increasing numbers of Hispanic students even as the overall number of Hispanic colleagues remains exceedingly small. This book will be especially useful for leaders who may be unaware of how difficult it is to navigate the challenges of Christian higher education as Hispanic faculty.

176 pages, Paperback

Published October 10, 2023

Reviews

[Carmen Imes · Rating 4 out of 5]

This collection of stories needs to be heard by those working in Christian higher education. Each of the Latino/a authors reflects on their experience studying and working in Christian colleges and universities. Their stories are not uniform, but certain commonalities emerge. Latine representation in higher ed in the United States is still much lower than it should be, given the demographics of our country. This is especially true at the highest ranks of faculty and administration. Latine scholars and administrators carry a heavy mentoring load and often under-report that mentoring because it is not properly valued by the administration.

Many Hispanic faculty spent years pursuing graduate degrees before anyone ever assigned them to read a text by a Latino/a author. Several of the contributors have had an uneasy relationship with their ethnic identity because they did not grow up speaking fluent Spanish or because they "pass" as white. A few never imagined attending college, much less becoming professors.

These stories have the capacity to expand the imaginations of the colleagues, deans, and other administrators of Hispanic faculty so that we can anticipate some of the challenges, benefits, costs, and rewards for Hispanics in higher education. Together we can create a more collaborative and supportive educational familia.

[Dali Castillo · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

I don't even know where to begin. This powerful and thought-provoking book has stirred up so many thoughts and emotions that it makes expressing my feelings a very difficult task. However, one thing I can say is that although I have never taught at a Christian college or university, I have experienced much of what was shared in each person's story. Although my years of teaching were in a public school setting, I can fully relate to the experiences shared. I wish I could say that my experiences only happened during my years as an educator, but sadly, that is not the case. Most of my life has been that of the minority. Not being understood and being categorized according to the color of my skin and my last name have been the norms my entire life. Although it was extremely frustrating and oftentimes downgrading to be categorized that way, I never lost who I am. I never lost my language, my heritage, my customs, or any other part of who I am. It was often not easy, but I kept who I am and who God created me to be.

That is what I find the most disturbing in all of what each person in the book has been through. They are at a "Christian" facility. So, I ask this question. As believers and followers of Christ, when the time comes, will we be segregated in heaven? No, we will not. God created us each in His image. We are fearfully and wonderfully made. God does not make mistakes. God is no respecter of persons. So, the "Christian" colleges, universities, churches, and so on need to keep that in perspective once and for all, and we need to treat each other the way God taught us to. No excuses.

Thank you to the collaborators and authors of this book for bringing this to light. Oh, and for the record, I know about being politically correct and how terms are constantly changing. However, please do not refer to me as Latinx or Latine. Soy Latina. Punto y se acabó.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me with a copy of this book. All comments and opinions are voluntary and completely my own.

[Leon · Rating 5 out of 5]

The stories from the authors are told with passion and a sense of practicality while maintaining respect and charity towards their institutions and fellow faculty. The strength of this book is the diverse stories and approaches of each of the authors that detail genuine experiences of real faculty at real institutions. Another strength of this book is that it validates the experiences of so many Hispanic faculty and other BIPOC who are currently serving at Christian Colleges and Universities. The norming of racial microaggressions and racelighting at many Christian institutions often lead to BIPOC faculty feeling bewildered and doubting their humanity and perceptions of reality. This book serves as a counter-narrative to the imposter syndrome and structures designed to dismiss, discredit, demonize, and ultimately destroy the intellectual integrity of BIPOC faculty. Suppose institutions listen to these scholars to learn from them and not read to critique them. In that case, Christian institutions of Higher Education can become a model for secular universities in developing a true kingdom that reflects the glory of our Triune God. I strongly recommend that every president, provost, dean, chair, and faculty member read this book to learn how to serve God's diverse kingdom better.