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English Professor Focuses on Creating Writers that are Anti-Racist and Equity Minded
*By Larry R. Hygh, Jr., Ed.D.
“Our writing program has a mission to be anti-racist and equity minded in teaching our students,” says Jolivette Mecenas, Assistant Professor in the English department at California State University Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). “I’m excited about the opportunities at DH and I’m proud to be a Toro and join this campus.”
Mecenas is the director of composition for the writing program and teaches writing and rhetoric. Courses include an accelerated freshman composition course, writing pedagogy for English education, and new course on language, power, and identity. For her research focus, “I am interested in how writing programs support student from low-income households with Pell grants, and making sure students have support throughout while obtaining degrees.” She has a focus on writing programs at minority serving institutions and equity minded programs that help students get to graduation.
Mecenas wants students to know you don’t have to be an English major to be a writer. “I want to grow that culture and provide new opportunities to explore storytelling and all types of writing…advocating for community interests…how to write with power.”
Prior to CSUDH, she was the Associate Dean for the College of Arts and Sciences at California Lutheran University and a Professor of English and Writing Program Coordinator. For a year, Mecenas was the Interim Director of the First-Year Writing Program and Visiting Professor in the English Department at California State University Los Angeles. She has held positions at the University of LaVerne, University of Hawai’i Manoa, San Francisco State University, and Skyline Community College in San Bruno, California.
Mecenas was influenced by reading the writings of American novelist Toni Morrison. “I enjoy the way that she thought about language and the importance of language in our lives.”
Mecenas’ native tongue is Filipino/Tagalog and she has a beginner knowledge of reading, writing, and speaking in Italian, Spanish, and French.
Mecenas earned a Ph.D. in English from the University of Hawai’i Manoa, a Master of Arts in English from San Francisco State University, and a Bachelor of Arts in Art and Literature from the University of California Santa Cruz.
She is mother to a 13-year-old son. “It’s been fun and thought provoking (parenting),” she says. In her 20s, Mecenas worked for several magazines including “Out Magazine.” She draws comics, used to be a photographer, and wishes she had more time to do photography. At one time, she was a photographer for a big oil company.
Mecenas is a native Angelino educated in the Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) graduating from Grover Cleveland High School for the Humanities.
She is a member of the Alliance for Hispanic Serving Institution Educators (AHSIE), Coalition of Women Scholars in the History of Rhetoric and Composition, Council of Writing Program Administrators, Pacific Ancient and Modern Language Association, National Council of Teachers of English, and the Rhetoric Society of America.
What’s the best part of being at CSUDH?
“It’s been an intellectually rich experience. I only regret that I don’t have time to go to everything. My students are fantastic. My colleagues in the English department have been fantastic.
What advice do you have for students?
“Their time at DH is a special opportunity to really take some time to learn more about who they are, and what their interests are, and to take advantage of resources on campus to help them achieve their goals and grow. I told my students to check out all the clubs and join a club.”
What do you like doing outside of being a professor/hobbies
“I love music. I love going to shows. LA is a great place to see live music.” She plays piano, guitar, and the ukelele. “I love all of the exploring of outdoors in Southern California, hikes in Griffith Park, and local beaches.” She loves dogs and volunteers at the North Central LA Animal Shelter.
What is your favorite quote?
“We die. That may be the meaning of life. But we do language. That may be the measure of our lives.” (Toni Morrison, from her Nobel Lecture, 1993)
“Always look on the bright side of life.” (Monty, Python)
*Hygh is an Assistant Professor in the Communications Department teaching in the Advertising and Public Relations degree program. Prior to academia he spent 20 plus years as chief communications officer in The United Methodist Church. Visit him on the web at www.LarryHygh.com.