Trish Morita-Mullaney to present Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Lecture at Whitworth University April 26
April 12, 2016
Whitworth University is pleased to welcome alumna and Assistant Professor of Multilingual Education at Purdue University Trish Morita-Mullaney, ’89, Ph.D., to campus to present a lecture, “Asian Americans Navigating the In-Between Spaces: Busting the Binaries.” The lecture will take place on Tuesday, April 26, at 7 p.m. in Weyerhaeuser Hall’s Robinson Teaching Theatre. This lecture celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month at Whitworth University, and is open and free to the public. For more information, please call (509) 777-4215.
In her lecture, Morita-Mullaney will discuss how Asian Americans are often described as “model minorities” and do not fit into typical discussions surrounding race that are framed by an African American or Caucasian binary. Morita-Mullaney’s research suggests that this ‘in-between’ space positions willing Asian Americans to serve as effective problem solvers for racial conflict.
Morita-Mullaney has studied extensively the intersections between language learning, gender and race, which are informed by her racial and ethnic identity as a third-generation Japanese American. Guided by critical and feminist thought, her current research projects examine how Asian students and educators are positioned within the field of education.
"From the time Trish was a student, she loved engaging the world around her,” says Professor of History Dale Soden. “I have always admired her heart for service and the larger community."
Morita-Mullaney graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1989; while an undergraduate, she served as vice president of Associated Students of Whitworth College and received the Servant Leadership Award for her contributions to the Whitworth community.
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Larry Burnley, associate vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4215 or lburnley@whitworth.edu.
Lauren Clark, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lclark@whitworth.edu.
In her lecture, Morita-Mullaney will discuss how Asian Americans are often described as “model minorities” and do not fit into typical discussions surrounding race that are framed by an African American or Caucasian binary. Morita-Mullaney’s research suggests that this ‘in-between’ space positions willing Asian Americans to serve as effective problem solvers for racial conflict.
"From the time Trish was a student, she loved engaging the world around her,” says Professor of History Dale Soden. “I have always admired her heart for service and the larger community."
Morita-Mullaney graduated with a bachelor’s degree in communications in 1989; while an undergraduate, she served as vice president of Associated Students of Whitworth College and received the Servant Leadership Award for her contributions to the Whitworth community.
Located in Spokane, Wash., Whitworth is a private, liberal arts university affiliated with the Presbyterian church. The university, which has an enrollment of nearly 3,000 students, offers more than 100 undergraduate and graduate degree programs.
Contacts:
Larry Burnley, associate vice president for diversity, equity and inclusion, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4215 or lburnley@whitworth.edu.
Lauren Clark, media relations manager, Whitworth University, (509) 777-4703 or lclark@whitworth.edu.
