The UNM Division for Equity and Inclusion (DEI) is bringing visiting scholars to campus with a focus on racial and minority diversity. It’s part of the ongoing Inclusive Excellence Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholars Program (IEPVSP).
“I’m honored to be a visiting scholar in the UNM Political Science Department,” said Raymond Foxworth, visiting scholar and political science faculty member. “Support from the UNM DEI allowed me time to research and complete papers that have been published in national peer-reviewed journals.”
Foxworth, a citizen of the Navajo Nation, is an alumnus of The University of Colorado, Boulder and Metropolitan State University in Denver. He brings a rich CV to UNM, with wide experience in research and advocacy focused on social inequities in Native American communities.
“Being a visiting scholar at UNM means I’m able to network with great faculty in Political Science and other departments across the University like Native American Studies and other departments,” he explained. “”This has been an incredible experience to be part of.”
In addition to conducting research, Foxworth created and is teaching a course on Indigenous Peoples Politics (PSCI 300) – the first course of its kind to be offered in the Political Science Department. It focuses on understanding the historic and current challenges Indigenous communities across the globe face as they continue to fight for land, sovereignty and Indigenous identities.
Inclusive Excellence Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholars Program
The Inclusive Excellence Postdoctoral and Visiting Scholars Program (IEPVSP) is available to support up to three postdoctoral research associate or visiting scholar positions that would enhance campus racial/ethnic diversity.
The goal is to identify individuals from underrepresented racial/ethnic minority (URM) groups who are potential candidates for main campus tenure-track faculty appointments that would contribute to diversity and promote strategic hiring goals. Candidates must be nominated by academic units that wish to hire them for 12-month appointments.
“A successful Inclusive Excellence scholars program is vital to our plan for faculty diversity and inclusion at UNM. We seek to create a pathway to the professoriate for high potential scholars who will bring innovative research and other creative works to contribute to UNM’s R1 profile. And our DEI colleagues deploy justice, equity, accessibility, diversity and inclusion (JEADI) resources to expand opportunity and cultivate potential of future faculty at UNM, who desire to serve our diverse student body.” said Dr. Assata Zerai, UNM vice president for Equity and Inclusion.
There are currently six Inclusive Excellence scholars who are or have been IE postdocs in the departments of Political Science, Chicana and Chicano Studies, Art History, Materials Science & Engineering, Architecture, and Theatre and Dance. DEI is in the process of reviewing nominations for the first round of visiting scholars, who are scheduled to be on campus starting Fall 2022.
The next deadline for nominations is April 4, 2022. Nominations must be received by noon on the day of the deadline.
Click here to read the call for nominations. Guidelines for nominating and more information on the program can be found on the Division for Equity and Inclusion website.