Contributions by Scholars of Color Series: WPSA 2026
About the Project
This collection of interviews contributes to a continuous project that seeks to amplify the scholarship and contributions of Black, Indigenous, and People of Color to the profession and investigate the history of race and racism in the political science profession. It further builds upon the APSA-Pi Sigma Alpha African American Oral History Project (1988-1994) and is motivated by the McClain Task Force on Systemic Inequality in the Discipline (2022). This project was filmed by Kehinde Akinyemi and conducted and edited by APSA staff. Click on the videos below to watch.
Meet the Scholars
Dr. Luis Ricardo Fraga is the Rev. Donald P. McNeill, C.S.C. Professor of Transformative Latino Leadership, the Joseph and Elizabeth Robbie Professor of Political Science, and the Director of the Institute for Latino Studies at the University of Notre Dame. This interview was conducted by APSA’s Program Manager for DEI Programs, India Angelique Simmons, at the WPSA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on April 3, 2026.
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Dr. Raymond Rocco is a Professor Emeritus of Political Science at the University of California, Los Angeles. This interview was conducted by APSA’s Senior Director for DEI Programs and Professional Ethics, Benjamin Fiore-Walker, at the WPSA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on April 3, 2026.
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Dr. Jessica Lavariega-Monforti is a Professor of Political Science and Provost at California State University, Channel Islands. This interview was conducted by APSA’s Program Assistant for DEI Programs, Isabel Thompson, at the WPSA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on April 3, 2026.
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Dr. Jane Junn is the Associate Chair in Social Sciences and Professor of Political Science and Gender and Sexuality Studies at the University of Southern California. This interview was conducted by APSA’s Senior Director for DEI Programs and Professional Ethics, Benjamin Fiore-Walker, at the WPSA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on April 3, 2026.
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Dr. Valerie Martinez-Ebers is a Professor of Political Science and Director of Latina/o and Mexican American Studies at the University of North Texas. This interview was conducted by APSA’s Program Manager for DEI Programs, India Angelique Simmons, at the WPSA Annual Meeting in San Diego, California on April 3, 2026.
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