Trevecca’s intercultural book clubs provide space for conversation and learning

By Jasmin Enriquez Martinez

Staff Writer

As part of an effort to increase intercultural competence on campus, faculty-led book groups are reading books that discuss race, faith, and social issues.

This semester, each group is reading “How Far to the Promised Land” by Esau McCaulley.

The campus intercultural book groups aim to create cultural competence among faculty and staff as well as a space for discussion and related experiences based on the book read for the semester, according to Terrence Schofield, associate provost of mission excellence and reconciliation.

“The book groups are all about stories—listening to these different stories of Black, Indigenous, and people of color and knowing what their journey is,” said Schofield.

The goal of the groups is to establish a sense of belonging for students by providing faculty and staff with the opportunity to learn about the history and cultural experience of their diverse students, according to Schofield.

The groups are led by Schofield, Erica Hayden, Justin Jose, Kathryn Mowry, and Iris Gordon. Each group meets on different days and times, on a weekly basis.

Justin Jose, director of Leadership and Community Engagement, who co-leads a book group with Kathryn Mowry, professor of intercultural studies and Christian education, said his goal is to help create discussion among his group.

“People are on the same page if we want to learn more about culture,” said Jose. “We’re wanting to engage deeply in good conversation about it and we want to try to grow from it.”

The groups allow a simple way for faculty, staff and students to intentionally learn and develop their understanding of other cultures, said Mowry.

“You don’t one day wake up and go, ‘Hey, I’m interculturally competent.’ It always takes effort,” said Mowry. “This is a tiny way that people could give that effort on campus and make some new friends in the process.”

In past semesters, the book groups have read “Insider Outsider” by Bryan C. Loritts and “Kingdom Race Theology” by Tony Evans, said Jose.

Books are provided at no cost to participants.

The intercultural book groups plan to read “Human Sexuality: A Primer For Christians” by Dan Boone, the president of Trevecca Nazarene University for the fall semester, said Schofield.

Students can email Schofield at TESchofield@trevecca.edu for more information and if they want to join a book group.