Season 4, Episode 2: Curriculum as Contested Terrain

Way to Engage:

• Listen or Watch on Spotify (Audio Available on web; Audio & Video available through the Spotify App)
• Listen on Apple (Audio Available)
• Read the Transcript
• Listen or Watch on YouTube (Includes Captions) (Video with Captions and Audio Available)

In This Episode:

In this episode, we talk about curriculum as a space where power shows up—where decisions about what’s taught, who teaches it, and what gets left out have real consequences. We ask how these choices reflect broader struggles over race, identity, and justice in higher education. Our guests reflect on what’s shifting in this moment, and what it means to treat the curriculum not just as content, but as a space of possibility.

Season Hosts
Dr. Felecia Commodore Associate Professor University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign	​Dr. Royel M. Johnson Associate Professor University of Southern California

About the 2025 Presidential Podcast Season "The Bend in the Arc"

Higher education is always evolving, and ASHE has adapted to these changes within academia. It's important to remember the field's history and legacy as we move forward. This year’s theme, The Bend in the Arc: Activist Praxis and Justice Through Scholarly Creative Expression highlights fostering an environment that combines critical thinking with creative scholarship, highlighting both our artistic strength and ongoing excellence. Dr. Eboni M. Zamani-Gallaher, the 2025 ASHE President, set the theme which marks ASHE’s 50^th anniversary.

The new season of the ASHE Presidential Podcast The Bend in the Arc, offers a thought-provoking exploration of the evolving landscape of higher education through the lens of scholarly creativity and innovation. In each episode, we dive into how educators, researchers, and students are shaping the arc of knowledge, equity, and cultural impact on campuses and beyond. Now accessible in both video and audio formats, our latest episodes blend imaginative approaches to teaching, research, and community engagement.

Tune in with co-hosts Drs. Felecia Commodore and Royel Johnson spotlight scholarly innovation, storytelling, and social impact. Whether you’re a faculty member, graduate student, or higher education professional, The Bend in the Arc invites you to witness the creativity that is reshaping scholarship and hear the stories that are bending the arc of higher education toward a more just and vibrant future.