Untold Stories

What this episode covers

Despite the exponential growth of Latinx students in Christian higher education, and despite professions of commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, the Latinx experience in Christian colleges and universities has gone largely unstudied, rendered invisible by the structures and history of colonialism and racism. What specific challenges do people of color in leadership positions face while working from within an educational system that caters to a white Christian worldview? In this episode of OP Talks, Dr. Joel Pérez, Owner and Executive Coach at Apoyo Coaching, talks to Dr. Peter Rios, Associate Professor of Organizational Leadership and Intercultural Studies and Academic Director of Ignite at Pacific School of Religion, about his book Untold Stories: The Latinx Leadership Experience in Higher Education (Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2021). “Universities and colleges—especially those that are religiously affiliated—have a lot of work to do when it comes to living a true mission of diversity and inclusion,” says Dr. Rios. He describes the ambivalence felt by many Latinx leaders in these institutions: “On the one hand, you’re called, you feel faithful to the mission, you’re excited about the mission of the university or college. You’re impacting lives, you’re developing leaders, you’re serving the church in that capacity. But at the same time, you’re experiencing—from within—bias, discrimination, oppression, marginalization. And that hurts.” Dr. Rios’ research includes conversations with five Latinx leaders about their lived experiences and what strategies they have taken towards a more holistic approach to their leadership work.

Distinct summary based on available episode metadata or transcript content.