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Washington State University
College of Education

Faculty Friday: Amir Gilmore

#FacultyFriday w/ Amir Gilmore — Feb. 11, 2022

Faculty role: Associate Dean of Equity and Inclusion, Assistant Professor
Location: WSU Pullman

Why did you choose to do what you do?

Being an educator is one of the best (and hardest) jobs on the planet! I became an educator because of my 8th-grade teacher. She was a first-year social studies teacher (s/o to Social Studies) that didn’t owe me anything but invested so much of her time within me. She came into my life at a time when I needed someone. It was the first time in my life that I felt heard, seen, and valued within school. What she invested in me is unrepayable. I would not be here without her and I have dedicated my life to always paying it forward to youth and people that want to become teachers. One person can always make a difference in the world.

What has been your favorite thing about WSU, as well as the College of Education?

Woah, the Cougs beating the Huskies during the Apple Cup, amirite? 😉 Being the commencement speaker in front of my mom at graduation. 👨🏾‍🎓Honestly, I love walking past the Ficus Elastica every time I am in Cleveland Hall. (umm, has anyone named it yet?)

What responsibility comes with working for a land-grant university? Why is being a land-grant special?

Being a land-grant is special because educational opportunity, access, affordability, and agricultural sustainability are at the core of WSU. Education must be accessible to all and education must meet the needs of the communities of the lands the university situates itself upon. It is about being good stewards to the land, the waterways, the animals, and of course the people. I think that we do a pretty good job at that.When I drink my coffee and eat my avocado toast, I think about how amazing it is that a university situated in the Palouse is transforming the state of Washington and the world for the better.

If you could improve one thing about WSU, what would it be?

Oh man, that is easy! Beating the Huskies every year for Apple Cup. 👏🏾

What makes you an Agent of Change?

Representation is not everything, but it is something. Research has shown the importance of having educators that look like you and share the same cultural backgrounds! Within the College of Education, we are trying to further diversify the teacher workforce through the AFTOC program.

February is Black History Month. Why is this important to you? And why should it be important to others who are not Black?

Black History Month is important because it is a time for people to reflect on the histories, lives, legacies, and contributions of Black people within the United States and across the African diaspora. I reflect on the architect of Black History Month, Carter G. Woodson and he had mentioned that in relation to U.S. and world history, Black history is rendered as a negligible factor. Oftentimes, his sentiments ring true ’til this day. There are SO many things that Black people have contributed to the world that so many fail to consider or recognize. This month is vital for others who are not Black because it serves as an invitation to learn, study, embrace the lives of Black people on a deeper level. Black History Month offers so many different perspectives of understanding the world around us.

Favorites

Food: Chicken Carbonara

Restaurant in Pullman: Black Cypress

Favorite book: In The Break: The Aesthetics of the Black Radical Tradition by Fred Moten

Favorite band: A tie between John Coltrane’s Quartet and Sun Ra’s Arkestra

Favorite song: Mister Magic by Grover Washington Jr.

Favorite movie: Kiss of Dragon (Titanic, if it’s on TV)

Favorite TV show: Any show with Gordon Ramsey yelling at chefs lol

Favorite Coug Sport: Football, but Women’s Soccer tho 👀

Hobby: Video games

Vacation spot (you’ve been to): Tie between San Diego and Las Vegas

Dream vacation spot: Paris, France

View Amir’s faculty bio