Former professor returns to campus, starts dialogue on Latino faculty representation

The departure of visiting Latino professor Jason Mendez raised concerns last year about the representation and treatment of Latino/a faculty at Duke. Mendez returned to campus Tuesday to discuss his experience and the University's subsequent investigation into his case.

Mendez, who held a two-year appointment as a visiting professor in the Program in Education, described experiencing "microaggressions" and unfair treatment in a culturally insensitive environment fostered by leadership in the Program in Education. After Mendez was told in Fall 2013 that his appointment would not be renewed, he filed a complaint with the Office of Institutional Equity, which did not find evidence of discrimination or harassment following an investigation.

“I didn’t blame Duke as whole last year—I didn’t think it was fair to hold the University accountable for something it didn’t necessarily know about,” Mendez said. “Today is different. I expected the University to hold faculty accountable for their actions, and they have failed to do so.”

Inside the report

Duke's Office for Institutional Equity investigated Mendez's complaints of workplace discrimination and harassment—interviewing six members of the Program in Education, reviewing documents provided by Jan Riggsbee, director of the program, and Mendez and listening to an audiotape recorded by Mendez. The investigation concluded that neither Duke's non-discrimination nor harassment policies had been violated.

"Dr. Riggsbee presented legitimate, non-discriminatory reasons for any employment action, which did not appear disingenuous or worthy of unbelief," Cynthia Clinton, OIE's Director of Harassment Prevention, wrote in a letter addressed to Mendez on September 26, 2014. "My review of relevant documents did not find a connection between the ending of your two-year appointment and your race or color."

But Mendez challenged the findings of the investigation—saying the inquiry lacked depth and failed to address the concerns he raised. He noted that no faculty of color were interviewed or contacted.

"The investigation team's goal was to protect Duke, to make sure there hadn't been any obvious examples of racism—did someone use a slur? Hang a noose?" Mendez said. "They weren't looking for signs of ingrained systemic racism at all."

Clinton told The Chronicle that she declined to comment on any specific issue. Riggsbee also declined to comment on personnel matters, but sent a copy of the Program in Education's diversity statement.

Student support

Students, faculty and community members filled the Bryan Center's Von Canon room Tuesday for Mendez's talk, called "A Better Tomorrow Begins with Dismantling Systemic White Supremacy Today." The event was sponsored by La Unidad Latina, Lamda Upsilon Lambda, a Latino fraternal organization, and Mi Gente, the Latino student association.

Mendez—now an instructor at the University of Pittsburgh—was celebrated by students as a caring professor passionate about social justice.

Senior Karina Santellano described Mendez as having gone "above and beyond in terms in spending time with students, and being invested in their success."

Santellano was one of several students present who said they hoped to see better Latino/a faculty and student representation.

"I want to see more people who look like me, who share my experiences," Santellano said. "I'm tired of censoring myself."

Mendez's departure left an already-small Latino faculty with one fewer member. According to the 2013 Faculty Diversity Initiative Biannual Report, there were only 12 Latino/a professors in the Trinity College of Arts and Sciences. Latino/a faculty comprised 2 percent of all tenured professors, a figure that has been nearly stagnant for two decades, even as numbers have increased for other underrepresented groups.

Senior Destiny Hemphill thanked Mendez for his courage in coming forward with his story. She said Mendez had offered her guidance when she needed it, and noted that a additional burden is placed on faculty of color to act as support systems and role models outside of their job descriptions.

“So often, stories like these are silenced,” Hemphill said. “Dr. Mendez's willingness to name systems of oppression specifically has been a real source of power and inspiration for me.”

Mendez's story has also inspired Latino students beyond Duke. Tommy Ender, a second year post doctoral student at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill who is pushing to start a Latino organization for graduate students, said much of what Mendez spoke about resonated with him.

“Tonight was powerful and gripping—a much needed conversation," Ender said. "But we need to continue this dialogue, to continue raising awareness and getting people to think about these issues.”

When Mendez's talk ended, he received a standing ovation. He then opened the floor to audience members, who discussed their own experiences, and ways to move forward.

"This is what my job was about," Mendez said as he looked around. "It wasn't just about the 9-5, it was about the students—who I connected with, who I supported. I never wanted to come off as just a disgruntled former employee, but yeah, I am angry that they took these students from me.”