Philosophy Prof. Nathifa Greene has been appointed as the director of Philosophy in an Inclusive Key Summer Institute (PIKSI) at the Rock Ethics Institute, Penn State University Park. As director, Greene will serve a three-year term with PIKSI-Rock in support of its mission.
Cosponsored by the Irish Marion Young Diversity Scholars Fund and Penn State’s College of the Liberal Arts, PIKSI-Rock unites a cohort of undergraduates from groups traditionally underrepresented in philosophy. These groups include African Americans, Chicano(a)s, Latino(a)s, Native Americans, Asian Americans, the LGBTQIA community, students from economically disadvantaged communities, women, and individuals with disabilities. PIKSI-Rock’s goal is to mentor and support students as they continue their studies in philosophy.
“I am excited to take on this new role directing the PIKSI-Rock summer institute,” Greene said. “The personalized learning in small seminar-style courses that we have here at Gettysburg allows a degree of depth that is similar to the seminars at the summer institute. It is gratifying to support students who intend to pursue further study.”
“Working with undergraduates keeps me close to the initial moments when students first become interested in philosophy, which is a precious spark that I hope to protect and nurture.”
– Philosophy Prof. Nathifa Greene
Greene, who majored in philosophy during her undergraduate education at Gettysburg, recognizes the role faculty mentors like her play in nurturing students’ curiosities through a breadth and depth of knowledge and enduring skills in the study of philosophy. Her courses at Gettysburg incorporate transnational and decolonial perspectives. Through her teaching, Greene invites her students to discuss contemporary problems and consider a broader view of philosophy beyond Western philosophical traditions.
“Working with undergraduates keeps me close to the initial moments when students first become interested in philosophy, which is a precious spark that I hope to protect and nurture, and this initial experience is important to me, even if a student only ever takes one philosophy class,” Greene said. “I have developed courses and teaching materials that reflect my deeply held belief that philosophy is a humanistic endeavor, not restricted to any particular region or prescribed set of authors. My departmental colleagues and I strive to cultivate an academic environment where students from all backgrounds can experience philosophy as an academic subject where they belong, regardless of their background and interests.”
Greene added that the PIKSI-Rock immersion experience provides students a place of belonging, allowing them to engage in deep study, receive invaluable mentoring, and network with their peers in a diverse environment.
“I get excited thinking about the future scholars whose talents will be developed at this summer institute,” she said. “These future faculty colleagues will hopefully continue to broaden the discipline beyond the traditional stereotypes of the ideas and people traditionally viewed as philosophers.”
By Michael Vyskocil
Photo by Shawna Sherrell
Posted: 08/05/24