Dr. Naliyah Kaya
Poetic Public SocIologist
EDUCATION
Ph.D. Sociology 2015, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Pen-Full Resistance: Poetry, Power and Persona
Specialization: Institutions and Inequalities
M.A. Sociology 2010, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA
Poetic Personas: Self & Society in Spoken Word Performance Culture
Emphasis: Race & Ethnicity
B.A. Sociology 2006, Hampton University, Hampton, VA
Concentration: Criminology
A.A.S. General Studies 2003, Shoreline Community College, Shoreline, WA
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
Teaching & Research
Present
Associate Professor | Department of Sociology, Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, MD.
Courses: Introduction to Sociology, Criminology, Race and Ethnic Relations, Social Problems & Issues
Instructor | Jiménez-Porter Writers' House, College of Arts & Humanities, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Course: Writers' House Second Year Colloquium: Form and Theory of Creative Writing: Totus Spoken Word Experience
2017
Guest Lecturer | “Understanding & Addressing Cultural Appropriation of Native American Indian & Indigenous Communities in Design,” Advanced Graphic Design Principles: Design in Society, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Guest Lecturer | “Art & Leadership,” Advanced Leadership Seminar, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2016-2017
Lecturer | Introduction to Sociology & Introduction to Contemporary Social Problems, Department of Sociology, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2014-2017
Lecturer | Leadership & Intersecting Identities: Stories of the MULTI racial/ethnic/cultural Experience, Department of Counseling, Higher Education, and Special Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2015-2016
Recurring Guest Lecturer | “Navigating Community Collaborations: Effectively Engaging in Cross-Cultural Communication,” Advanced Graphic Design Principles: Design in Society, University of Maryland, College Park & Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts High School, Baltimore, MD.
2014
Lecturer | Transfer 2 Terp Community Engagement Internship, Transfer & Off-Campus Student Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2012-2013
Lecturer | Introduction to Sociology & Marriage and The Family, Department of Sociology, Lawson State Community College, Birmingham, AL.
2011
Guest Lecturer & Teaching Assistant | “Poetry, Storytelling and Leadership,” Cultural Leadership, Higher Education & Integrative Studies, George Mason University/Rutgers University Exchange Program, Fairfax, VA & Newark, NJ.
2008-2009
Research Assistant | Ethnography of Diversity in Higher Education, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Administrative
Present
Coordinator | Department of Sociology, Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, MD.
Participate in the candidate interview process for part-time faculty or full- or part-time staff by reviewing candidates’ CVs or transcripts, providing chair with appropriate feedback based on the review and interview, and offering chair ideas for possible courses the candidates might teach based on qualifications. In conjunction with the chair, draft course offering schedules for department or discipline and schedule part-time faculty identifying possible teaching assignments. Participate in the evaluation process of full- and part-time faculty and full- or part-time staff by observing a colleague’s class, discussing one’s own course observation with a colleague, completing and signing summary evaluation for part-time faculty, completing a peer evaluation for a full-time faculty member and acting as a mentor. Respond to student complaints or compliments regarding part- or full-time faculty by referring students with concerns to appropriate chair or college resources. Provide relevant information or documents to chair or dean upon request related to the discipline or dismissal of a full- or part-time faculty member or full- or part-time staff member.
2013-2018
Coordinator | Native American Indian/Indigenous and Multiracial Student Involvement, Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy (MICA), University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Expanded Multiracial and Native American Indian/Indigenous programming and support to include: signature heritage month events, standing co-sponsorships, attendance & presentations at national conferences, a Multiracial leadership course, local community engagement and inclusion in the University Awards Ceremony through the creation of two new awards. Revived failing social justice arts program, TOTUS Spoken Word Experience, doubling enrollment and alumni engagement, through rebranding, updating curriculum and establishing annual programming and partnerships.
2010-2012
Coordinator | Global Proficiency Certificate Program, Office of International Programs & Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Managed and revived program within 10 months increasing enrollment from 0 to 40+ students and reduced the average completion rate from 1.5 years to 1 academic year.
2009-2011
Cultural Advisor | International Training & Exchange (INTRAX), Kennedy-Lugar Youth Exchange & Study (YES) & Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange, Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, United States Department of State, Washington, D.C.
Mentored and supervised diverse groups of exchange students in summer residential orientation & departure programs. Prepared students for living and studying in the United States as well as re-entry to their home countries upon completion of the program.
COMMUNITY BASED SOCIAL JUSTICE ARTS PROGRAMMING
2020
External Reviewer | Redefine/ABLE: Challenging Inaccessibility Exhibit, University of Maryland, Department of Art Graphic Design Concentration, The Peale Center for Baltimore History and Architecture, The Carroll Mansion, The University of Brighton, The Royal Pavilion and Museums Brighton, and The De La Warr Pavilion.
2017-2018
Cross-Cultural Consultant | Nations of Resilience: Standing up | Standing Strong | Standing Proud Interactive Exhibit, American Indian Student Union & Department of Art, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2016
Cross-Cultural Consultant | BMORE Than The Story: An Exhibit Collaboration between Visual & Performing Arts Students from Augusta Fells Savage Institute of Visual Arts High School and Graphic Design Students from the University of Maryland College Park, The Reginald F. Lewis Museum of Maryland African American History & Culture, Baltimore, MD.
2003
Coordinator | Food for Your Soul: Monroe Poetry Project, Shoreline Community College & The Black Prisoner’s Caucus (Washington State Reformatory- Monroe Correctional Complex).
PRESENTATIONS, PANELS, SPEAKING ENGAGEMENTS & FACILITATION
2021
Panelist | Development- Academic Job Search, The Institute for Immigration Research and Center for Social Science Research, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2020
Panelist | How Do We Maintain our Mission of Radical Inclusion and Social Justice During a Pandemic? World Access to Higher Education Day 2020, Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, MD.
Panelist | Sociology Information Session, General Studies Advising Day, Montgomery College, Takoma Park/Silver Spring, MD.
2019
Community Engagement Scholar | Universal Design Today Project, Department of Art, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Panelist | Cultural Appropriation, Office of Diversity & Inclusion, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Invited Speaker | Dean's Student Advisory Council (DSAC), The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Presenter | “It’s Complicated: Experiences of Mixed Middle Eastern American Women,” with Riah Safady. National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education, Portland, OR.
Panelist | “Intersections of Culture, Faith, Identity & Leadership Development.” Student Leadership Development, College of Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2018
Guest | WYPR (2018). Poetic Justice: Activism, Equity, and the Arts. [podcast] Life in the Balance. Available at: http://www.wypr.org/post/poetic-justice-activism-equity-and-arts.
Panelist | “Writing for the Social Sciences Alumni Panel.” George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Presenter | “Understanding Cultural Bias and Building Awareness using Acceptance a Mindful-based Approach.” Maryland Male Students of Color Summit, Montgomery College, Germantown, MD.
Panelist | "Make Some Noise-Advocacy & Activism as Leadership." University of Maryland Leadership Education and Development Program, The Newseum, Washington, D.C.
Presenter | “Critical Mixed Race Studies Comes of Age: Building Multiracial Inclusion into the Curriculum,” with Myra Washington, Mitzi Uehara Carter and Ashley Howard. National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education, New Orleans, LA.
Presenter | “Making Our Work Intersectional: Re Imagining Strategies for Promoting Student Engagement, Inclusion and Success through Multicultural Centers,” with James McShay. National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education, New Orleans, LA.
Presenter | “Resistance & Reclamation: Creating Effective Social Justice Community Art Collaborations,” with Audra Buck-Coleman and Lamontre Randall. Split This Rock Poetry Festival: Poems of Provocation & Witness, Washington, D.C.
Presenter |“Mixed Messages: Disrupting Dominant Narratives of Multiracial Identity in 2018,” with Natasha Chapman. Split This Rock Poetry Festival: Poems of Provocation & Witness, Washington, D.C.
Presenter | “Reclaiming Our Stories: Counternarratives as a Form of Resistance & Healing,” with Natasha Chapman, Minisa Huls and Melissa Beard Jacob. Resist. Reclaim. Reimagine: Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Presenter | “Using Collaborative Art Making to Express Baltimore Uprising Counternarratives,” with Audra Buck-Coleman. Leveraging Art and Technology to Address Racial Disparity. As Time Goes By: Social and Institutional Change, 2018 Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting, Baltimore, MD.
2017-2019
Invited Speaker | Behavioral and Social Sciences (BSOS) Ambassadors, The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2017
Presenter | “Art & Activism: Building Asset Based Community Partnerships,” with Audra Buck-Coleman and Lamontre Randall. Scholarship & Resistance: The 14th Annual Public Anthropology Conference, American University, Washington, D.C.
Invited Speaker | “Understanding Racism and Building Community.” Empowering Voices in Engineering: Equipping Engineers with the Knowledge and Tools Needed for Meaningful Conversations About Race. Materials Science and Engineering Department, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Panelist | “How to be a Social Justice Advocate while Navigating Professional Waters.” Department of Residence Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Presenter | “From Reviving to Thriving: Secrets of Multiracial Student Involvement & Community Advocacy.” Multiracial Student Affairs Panel. Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference, Los Angeles, CA
Facilitator | “Tools and Strategies for Addressing Bias in Communication and Community,” with Natasha Chapman and James McShay. Office of Undergraduate Studies, Diversity and Inclusion Workshop, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2016
Presenter | “Invisible Americans - Voices Without Papers” with Stephanie Cork, Vishnupriya “Priya” Krishnan, and Yvette Lerma. Split This Rock Poetry Festival, Washington, D.C.
Invited Speaker | “Becoming a Poetic Public Sociologist.” Alpha Kappa Delta Induction and Spring Celebration, Department of Sociology, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
Invited Guest Speaker | Maryland Commission on Indian Affairs, Annapolis, MD.
2015-2016
Guest Speaker | “Implicit Bias: The Intersections of Race, Gender & Socioeconomic Status.” Peer Educators, Sexual Health Programs, University of Maryland Health Center, College Park, MD.
2015
Poster Session | “Moving Beyond the Front Desk: Deepening the Student Internship Experience,” with Yvette Lerma, James McShay, and Erica Simpkins. National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education, Washington, D.C.
Poster Session | “Leadership and Intersecting Identities: Pedagogy of Identity-based Leadership Courses” with Jude Paul Dizon, Brandon Dula, Yvette Lerma and James McShay, National Conference on Race & Ethnicity in American Higher Education, Washington, D.C.
Presenter | “Ignite the Mic! Spoken Word as Social Justice Pedagogy,” Maryland Student Affairs Conference, College Park, MD.
Guest Speaker | “I’m Mixed…,” with Natasha Chapman. Coalition of Activist Students Celebrating the Acceptance of Diversity and Equality (CASCADE), Howard University, Washington, D.C.
2014
Facilitator | “Race & Ethnicity,” Global Consulting Fellows Program, Department of Management & Organization, Robert H. Smith School of Business, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2013
Panelist | “Growing up in an Interfaith Household,” Interfaith Week, Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy & Memorial Chapel, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2012
Presenter | “Poetic Personas: Self & Society in Spoken Word Performance Culture,” Eastern Sociological Society, New York, NY.
2010
Presenter | “Let My Voice Rest and My Pen Yell: An Ethnographic Study of Spoken Word Performance Culture.” Eastern Sociological Society, Boston, MA.
2011
Panelist | “Multi-Racial and Multi-Ethnic Identity: A Panel Discussion,” Native American Heritage Month, Office of Diversity Programs and Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2010
Panelist | “Black Heritage Month Keynote Address: Kimberly and Scott Roberts,” Office of Diversity Programs and Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2009
Presenter | “A New Deal for New Orleans: H.R. 4048: Gulf Coast Civic Works Act,” University of Maryland: (Media)tions: Translating the Body Politic, College Park, MD.
Facilitator | “New Orleans: Four Years after Katrina Speak Out: A Discussion with Bruce George,” Independent Arts Collective, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT & SERVICE
Present
Community Liaison | Executive Committee, Critical Mixed Race Studies Association
Committee Member | Ethnic Social Studies Certificate, Montgomery College
2019
Member | Search Committee for FT Sociology Faculty Member, Montgomery College
Honors Fellow | Honors Program, Montgomery College
2018
Member | Search Committee for FT Sociology Faculty Member, Montgomery College
United Nations Sustainable Development Goals Open Pedagogy Fellow | Office of E-learning Innovation and Teaching Excellence (ELITE), Montgomery College, Takoma Park, MD.
Member | Office of E-learning Innovation and Teaching Excellence (ELITE) College Area Review (CAR) Process Committee, Montgomery College, Rockville, MD.
Organizer | with Katya Salmi, Spring Sociology Social, Montgomery College, Takoma Park, MD.
2017-2018
Chair | Site Planning Committee, Critical Mixed Race Studies Conference, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2016-2018
Staff Advisor & Coach | University of Maryland Slam Team, College Unions Poetry Slam Invitational, Association of College Unions International.
2013-2018
Advisor | Multiracial Biracial Student Association & American Indian Student Union, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Chair | Multiracial Heritage Month Planning Committee, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Co-Chair | Inclusive Language Campaign, Department of Resident Life & Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2017
Member | Planning Committee, Big 10 Native American Gathering, Purdue University, West Lafayette, IN.
Co-Chair | Community of Practice Subcommittee, Diversity Initiative Planning Committee, Division of Student Affairs, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Chair | Sarah Winnemucca Award, University Student Leadership Awards Program, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2015-2017
Member | Diversity Initiative Planning Committee, Division of Student Affairs, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2016
Staff Trip Advisor | The Lakota Nation: Identity, Culture and Empowerment in Pine Ridge, South Dakota, Alternative Breaks, Leadership & Community Service-Learning, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Member | Search Committee for Asian American Pacific Islander Student Involvement Coordinator, Office of Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Invited Judge | Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (DC MIST), Writing & Oratory (Poetry: Spoken Word) Competition, Washington, D.C.
2014-2016
Mentor | Transfer 2 Terp Learning Community, Transfer & Off-Campus Student Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2015
Invited Judge | Muslim Interscholastic Tournament (DC MIST), Writing & Oratory (Poetry: Literature) Competition, Washington, D.C.
Committee Member | Women’s History Month, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2014
Member | Search Committee, Program Coordinator, Transfer and Off-Campus Student Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
Participant | National Conference on Race and Ethnicity in American Higher Education, Indianapolis, IN.
2012
Presider | “Ethnographies of Arts & Performance,” Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting: Storied Lives: Culture, Structure, and Narrative, New York, NY.
2011
Contributor | “Mason Around the Globe,” VoxPop Magazine, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2009
Host & Performer | “The Spoken Word Revolution,” Office of Student Involvement, George Mason University
2008-2010
Co-Founder & Organizer | Cultural Fusion, Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Multicultural Education, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2008
Fellow | Cultural Enrichment Program, Political Science Department & Justice Studies Department, James Madison University, Harrisonburg, VA.
PUBLICATIONS
Kaya, Naliyah. (In Press). "Existing In-Between: Embodying the Synergy of My Ancestors." In Charmaine Wijeyesinghe & Marc J. Guerrero (Eds.), Multiracial Experiences (pp. xx-xx). Sterling, VA: Stylus Publishing.
Kaya, Naliyah. (In Press). "Erasing or Reordering Racial Lines? Interracial Marriage and Multiracial Americans." In Kathleen Odell Korgen & Maxine P. Atkinson (Eds.), Sociology in Action: Race and Ethnicity (pp. xx-xx). Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publication, Inc.
Chapman, Natasha H. and Naliyah Kaya. 2020. “Leadership Snapshot: Meaning-Making Through Digital Artifacts.” In Jillian M. Volpe White, K. L. Guthrie, & M. Torres (Eds.), Thinking to Transform: Facilitating Reflection in Leadership Learning (pp. 51-52). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Kaya, Naliyah and Natasha H. Chapman. 2020. “Leadership: Changing the Narrative.” In K. L. Guthrie & D. M. Jenkins (Eds.), Transforming Learning: Instructional and Assessment Strategies for Leadership Education (pp.121-122). Charlotte, NC: Information Age Publishing.
Chapman, Natasha H. and Naliyah Kaya. 2018. “Digital Stories in Leadership Education: Centering on the Voices of Students.” International Leadership Association (ILA) Interface, February 15th.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2015. “Bruised.” P. 79 in Spindrift Art & Literary Journal, edited by Lucienne Aggarwal. Shoreline, WA: Shoreline Community College.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2015. “Fringers Part III: Journey Back Home.” Mixed Roots Stories, December 2, 2015.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2015. “Fringers Part II: From Turkish to Mixed.” Mixed Roots Stories, November 25, 2015.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2015. “Fringers Part I: Reclaiming My Name.” Mixed Roots Stories, November 18, 2015.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2012. “They Call Her Exotic…” Pp. 95-96 in Voices of the Future, edited by Etan Thomas. Chicago, IL: Haymarket Books.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2010. “Sugar Hill.” P. 58 in Spindrift Art & Literary Journal, edited by Hannah Newman. Shoreline, WA: Shoreline Community College.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2010. “A Woman’s Burden.” P. 57 in Spindrift Art & Literary Journal, edited by Hannah Newman. Shoreline, WA: Shoreline Community College.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2010. “That Other Woman.” P. 6 in Volition. Vol. 9, edited by Amber Cox and Thaihuong Nguyen. Fairfax, VA: George Mason University.
Rosenblum, Karen E., Naliyah K. Kaya and John N. Robinson III, eds. 2009. Diversity at Mason: Student Research on Student Identity. Fairfax, VA: A George Mason Publication on Diversity.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2006. “YRTEOP*POETRY.” P. 60 in The Saracen Literary Magazine, edited by Calvin Jamison Jr. Hampton, VA: Hampton University.
Kaya, Naliyah. 2005. “So Perfect.” P. 39 in The Saracen Literary Magazine, edited by Angel Rick. Hampton, VA: Hampton University.
GRANTS
2015
Hoff Theater Grant | Native Roots Monologues Feat. Supaman, Adele H. Stamp Student Union-Center for Campus Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2014
Hoff Theater Grant | Native Roots Monologues Feat. Frank Waln & Lumhe Sampson, Adele H. Stamp Student Union-Center for Campus Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2012
Eastern Sociological Society Travel Grant | “Poetic Personas: Self & Society in Spoken Word Performance Culture.” Eastern Sociological Society Annual Meeting: Storied Lives: Culture, Structure, and Narrative, New York, NY.
2008-2010
University Life Programming Grant | Cultural Fusion Field Day, University Life, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
HONORS & AWARDS
2018
Excellence in Service Medal for Outstanding Mentor | Academy of Academic Excellence Awards, Office of Multi-ethnic Student Education, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2016
Stamp Star Award | Adele H. Stamp Student Union-Center for Campus Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2014
Honored Instructors Award | Transfer2Terp Learning Community, Adele H. Stamp Student Union-Center for Campus Life, University of Maryland, College Park, MD.
2011
Certificate of Recognition | “Campus Impact Forum,” Office of International Programs & Services, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2009
Top Honors Award for University Life “Cultural Fusion” | Innovations, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
2008
John C. & Louise P. Wood Graduate Scholarship | Alumni Association, George Mason University, Fairfax, VA.
PROFESSIONAL MEMBERSHIPS
Critical Mixed Race Studies Association
Alpha Kappa Delta International Sociology Honor Society