A Q&A with DEI and Journalism’s Meera Kumar

Meera Kumar, Ph.D.
Assistant Director of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion, and
Teaching Assistant Professor in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media

In this conversation, Kumar talks about her new role in the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion; serving as an advisor to multiple RSOs and how much she enjoys teaching and mentoring; working on exciting projects like the DEI student ambassador program; and how she hopes her students always remember how resilient they are, hold on to hope and know that she’s still cheering them on.

Q: Tell us about your new role with the college’s Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion. What excites you about this?

In my new role as the assistant director in the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion for the college, I am helping director Romona West and the rest of our team with DEI efforts, particularly those that focus on our students.

I am thrilled to be helping our team and so many of our college’s caring colleagues create additional student programming designed to engage our students and foster a more inclusive climate and culture of belonging.

I am also enthusiastically looking forward to catching up with former students, and meeting, teaching, and mentoring new students.

Q: How long have you been at Fulbright College? What have you enjoyed most about your time here?

For four years, I have enjoyed teaching and mentoring wonderful students throughout our college and across campus, and I am so happy that I’ll be able to continue doing this work in my new role.

I have also had a fabulous time serving as an advisor to multiple RSOs, speaking at a variety of fantastic student events, and emceeing as a game show host at several virtual events for my RSO and Path students.

Photo by Aleena Garcia

A great pre-pandemic memory was when, in the spring of 2019, my industrious RSO students and I put on a very chic and unique fashion show: Culture Couture. It was designed specifically to showcase a variety of cultures through fashion, food, and music.

DIYA (Diversity, Inclusion, and You), in collaboration with sibling RSOs Drop the Mic, Grammar Rules!, and the Transfer Student Club, cheered on our student models, who wore gorgeous ensembles of their own cultural backgrounds from around the world.

Photo by Aleena Garcia

Then, thanks to the models’ recipes, Chartwells, and the Multicultural Center, everyone enjoyed a wide variety of delicious dishes. Afterward, students danced the evening away to the best base and beats of the world.

What can I say? My students are awesome.

Q: What do you most hope your students remember from their classes and/or interactions with you?

I have many hopes for my students. I hope that they’ll remember to take with them, everywhere they go, not only what they learned about a variety of academic subject matter, but also what they learned about themselves.

I hope that they remember that education also goes beyond the four walls of a classroom. I hope that they remember to keep reading, keep observing, and keep participating.

I hope that they remember to actively listen. I hope that they remember to speak up, if they feel moved to do so. I hope that they feel safe and are safe.

I hope that they remember how resilient they are. I hope that they’ll hold on to hope.

My hope for my students is that they remember, that even long after teaching and mentoring them, I am still cheering them on, and that they, too, can do that for themselves.

So many of my students are such great friends and genuine champions of their peers, and that is so inspiring and uplifting to see; I just hope that they also remember to be that person for themselves throughout their lives.

Q: What do you like to do during your time outside of the university?

I love to paint and write.

I enjoy designing clothes, listening and dancing to my eclectic playlists, and spending time with my family and friends.

I also enjoy keeping up with the latest in pop culture and film.

Q: What’s up next on the horizon for you?

I am really looking forward to so many upcoming joys, but I’ll just name a few.

I am very happy to be teaching my students in my media seminars this fall and spring, assisting in creating our ARSC DEI Student Ambassadors Program, designing a variety of student programming, and helping our students become aware of our many valuable resources.

One of many virtual game nights with RSOs DIYA, Transfer Student Club, and Grammar Rules!

Q: Is there anything else you’d like to add or let readers know?

To students: I understand that this may not be how you imagined your college years to be, but please try not to lose heart.

For you, I wish that you get the most out of your education and everything that the University of Arkansas has to offer, that you connect with those outstanding professors and magnificent mentors who are rooting for you, that you learn so much from those spectacular seminars, that you find and benefit from those wonderful work-study jobs, that you get those fantastic internships.

An invitation to an RSO virtual game night with DIYA, TSC, and GR!

I wish that you join those fabulous Registered Student Organizations (RSOs) (or even start one of your own), that you find and cultivate those amazing, lifelong friendships, and that you someday look back fondly on your time here at the University of Arkansas.

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