Last month, I had the fortunate opportunity to participate in an academic conference for higher education scholars and a weekend long professional development opportunity for aspiring university presidents. I was surround by experts in the field, current and former influential university presidents, and hundreds of notable scholars and practitioners in higher education. As a first-generation, Latino scholar who grew up in a low-income household, entering these spaces both excites me and terrifies me. Despite my academic and professional accomplishments, I still experience feelings of inadequacy—like I have nothing to bring to the table. Unfortunately, this feeling is provoked more often than not, especially when I am constantly overlooked as a participant or mistaken as a service worker.
During my third day in Houston for the Association of the Study of Higher Education (ASHE) Conference, I excitedly made my way to Dr. Melissa Harris-Perry’s keynote speech. On my way to the hotel ballroom, I passed a hallway of vendors setting up their individual booths. As I made my way through the hallway, an older White woman asked me, “Did we order coffee service? I think it’s a good idea to have coffee here.” I politely responded, “I’m sorry, I can’t help you,” and showed her my badge that listed my name, school affiliation, and the conference branding. I continued to walk down the long hallway before encountering another older White woman. Full story
