TAMIU Receives Humanities Texas Grant to Launch 'Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities' Speaker Series

Texas A&M International University (TAMIU) recently received a grant totaling over $10,000 from Humanities Texas, including matching funds, to launch a virtual speaker series this Fall bridging diversity and inclusion topics with the Humanities.

When TAMIU assistant professor of Humanities Dr. Adam Kozaczka held a fellowship at Syracuse University's Humanities Center in 2018, he discovered that an effective way to nurture the Humanities on and off campus was to emphasize how creative writers and humanists actually engage with issues students and the public care about.

A member of TAMIU's Inclusion, Diversity and Equity Committee (TIDE), Dr. Kozaczka partnered with TIDE co-chair and professor of Public Administration Dr. Peter Haruna and fellow TIDE member Dr. Jared Dmello, assistant professor of Criminal Justice, to write a grant application to Humanities Texas to invite renowned speakers to explore the cross section of diversity and inclusion with the Humanities.

The resulting speaker series, "Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities," will provide audiences with exposure to a wide range of Humanities scholars and creative writers as they engage with diversity topics, said Dr. Kozaczka. The full speaker lineup will be announced in the Fall.

"As members of Laredo's various communities ask important existential questions about what it means to live on the Border, the Series hopes to provide an ongoing conversation about a series of issues connected to diversity and inclusion that brings top humanists and creative writers to share their experience and expertise with the community," Kozaczka said.

Pictured from left to right are Dr. Peter Haruna, professor of Public Administration; Dr. Adam Kozaczka, assistant professor of Humanities, and Dr. Jared Dmello, assistant professor of Criminal Justice.

Too often, conversations about diversity get relegated to angry political exchanges on the Internet, Kozaczka said.

"By focusing on the study of cultures and communities, 'Diverse Cultures, Diverse Humanities' promises to provide a reasonable space for learning and discussion in topics that have recently dominated not only the media, but also dinner-table conversation," he said.

"We have also found that some speakers - especially creative writers - are open to continued conversation with audiences and have freely provided their email addresses to attendees. This facilitates future communication and even provides opportunities for young Laredoans - especially those interested in becoming writers or even going to college in humanities fields- to talk to people who can provide much-needed advice and possibly even practice networks and connections," Kozaczka added.

To learn more about the University’s initiatives in diversity and inclusion, please visit its dedicated website, www.tamiu.edu/diversity.

TAMIU’s Fall 2021 plans are focused on a return to a full and vibrant on-campus experience for all students, faculty and staff at its 300-acre northeast Laredo campus. Classes begin Monday, Aug. 23, 2021.

This Fall at TAMIU, degree-seeking students will benefit from a pilot program, TAMIU Books IncludED, providing all TAMIU required textbooks and course materials free of charge.  It delivers course materials to students in multiple formats, including  digital, open educational resources, and print.  Students who opt not to receive free digital textbook and course materials can purchase physical materials. 

For more information about Registration, contact the Office of the University Registrar at 956.326.2250, email registrar@tamiu.edu or visit offices in the University Success Center, suite 121.