An Afternoon with Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, DEI Expert

Poster for Dr. Hines-Gaither

The Department of LJWL Committed to Diverse Perspectives Series* presents an afternoon with Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither, Vice President for Equity, Diversity, and Justice at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. 

On Thursday, November 2, Dr. Hines-Gaither will give two interactive presentations in Fermanian Conference Center:

“Establishing an Antiracist Classroom: We see you!” for faculty at 12pm (Lunch provided with RSVP)

“Supporting Antiracist Student Leaders: We see you!” for students at 3pm

The faculty session will help faculty define antiracism and distinguish it from social justice, providing practical strategies and tools to incorporate antiracist lessons in our classrooms: what Dr. Hines-Gaither calls, “Learn today, use tomorrow.”

The student session will focus on how to center antiracism in student leadership practices. Students will reflect on their leadership journey and enhance their experiences through antiracist frameworks, strategies, and practical tools. 

Essential Questions Addressed:

  1. What is an antiracist framework and how is it defined?
  2. How do we recognize & combat racism in the classroom?
  3. How do educators incorporate antiracism into their classrooms? 
  4. What are some examples of antiracist lessons and units that center unique voices and perspectives?

Dr. Hines-Gaither holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro and is the author of The Antiracist World Language Classroom. Her book will be available for purchase at both events. 

Professor Jacque Mitchell and Dr. Paula Cronovich, co-chairs of the Department of LJWL, reference Dr. Hines-Gaither and her work in their paper Going Beyond Shallow Multiculturalism in the Spanish Classroom: "Positive relationships and dialogue are ongoing, and there is much promise for what Krishauna Hines-Gaither coins radical collaboration, not just among close colleagues but across disciplines and sectors: 'Radical collaboration aims to decolonize education by actively seeking antiracist approaches to teaching and learning. In so doing, educators do not submit to color-blind or deficit-based approaches' (Hines-Gaither, 2020). This type of solidarity across the campus is imperative if the campus climate is to be one of antiracist thought and action, clear communication, and solutions."

All faculty, students, and staff are welcome and encouraged to attend these free sessions. Please click the links above for more information about each presentation. 

Bio: Dr. Krishauna Hines-Gaither is the Vice President for Equity, Diversity and Justice at Mount Saint Mary’s University, Los Angeles. She holds a PhD in Cultural Studies from the University of North Carolina-Greensboro where she focused her scholarship on Afro-Latinx cultural heritage. At university, she studied Spanish and French. Her first language was African American Vernacular English. Dr. Hines-Gaither was a college professor of Spanish and Ethnic/Cultural Studies. She is a past president of the Foreign Language Association of North Carolina, a past chair of the ACTFL SIG for Educators of African American Students, and she is a member of the ACTFL Board of Directors. She co-chairs ACTFL’s inaugural Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. Dr. Hines-Gaither also serves as a DEI advisor to the LAPD. Along with Dr. Cécile Accilien, Dr. Hines-Gaither is the author of The Antiracist World Language Classroom (Routledge Press, 2023) and also co-author of Mastering Spanish through Global Debate by Georgetown University Press. She is a frequent speaker, trainer and facilitator.

*Sponsored by the Department of LJWL, the Center for Teaching & Learning, and the Office of Diversity & Belonging. Thank you to the PLNU Common Knowledge Bookstore for providing book sales.