Professor Talks Leadership, Social Justice, and Empowerment
By Isabelle Mascary | Editor-in-Chief
Candace Shivers, a seasoned professor with nineteen years of experience at the Mount, started as an adjunct in 2003 and became a full-time professor in the following year, teaching Sociology, human resources, and psychology classes. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Bachelor of Science from American International College, as well as a Master’s degree from Assumption College. As a member of the Union and Board of Directors of the National Education Association, the largest labor local in the United States, she is deeply committed to her profession. What she enjoys most about being an educator is engaging with her students and having conversations about current issues. “I enjoy the process of learning together, and if I could just be in front of the class, having these conversations, I would be happy,” she said.
As she reflected on her journey with the Mount, Shivers noted that there was a lack of diversity and representation in terms of people with different skin colors. “There was ancillary involvement, but no one would say, ‘No, I’m not doing that’ or ‘No, that can’t happen.’” However, when Shivers decided to challenge this lack of diversity, she encountered resistance. “When I started questioning [authoritative figures], some people were taken aback by my boldness. They were like, ‘Wait, is she questioning us?’ Like, ‘how dare you question authority?’” she shared.
Born on an army base at Fort Dix in New Jersey, Shivers developed a tendency to question authority at a young age. Even as a child, she would raise questions on the “who, what, when, where, and why” of things. “My parents learned early on that I’m going to question everything, good or bad,” she said. While having the ability to question authority may come naturally to Shivers, she recognizes that others may find her inquisitive mind offensive. “I’m just a curious kind of person. You can’t just tell me to do something and expect me to do it. I’ve never been that way,” she explained. “I don’t trust myself sometimes, so I’m going to question everything.”
Shivers believes that Mount has made some progress in terms of diversity, but there is still a long way to go. While the student body and faculty have become more diverse, the leadership has not. Shivers thinks that it’s concerning that people who do not look like her or have not had conversations with her are making decisions that affect her and others’ livelihoods. Hiring individuals who are passionate about advocacy is one solution, according to her. Shivers mentioned that they will be hiring a Vice President of Academic Affairs and endeavored to be a part of the search committee for two reasons: firstly, she will work closely with this person not only as a faculty member but also as the chair of the Union for the faculty and professional staff. Secondly, it’s important to understand that when she is passionate, it doesn’t necessarily mean she’s angry. “You don’t necessarily have to have pigmentation to be a part of racial and social justice,” she said. “We need someone where it’s not rehearsed, but it’s in their language, mannerisms, and answers — and that’s something that you can pick up on.”
According to Shivers, a good leader actually takes some burden off one’s plate. She has told multiple people, “I’m not going to follow a person because they have a title. I’m going to watch you and you’re going to earn being my leader.” She emphasized that having someone in front of you telling you what to do doesn’t make them a leader. “But we have some really good leaders on campus, and it makes my job easier as a person that works at the Mount.”
Shivers also explained the empirical quality that comes with leadership. “Being able to be in a leadership role and push issues that people are not going to talk about, especially for me, is important because that’s how you move the needle. I think of situations where we call it the third rail; no one wants to touch it but we have to move it,” she said. “I don’t take up every battle, but when it’s interracial and social justice and because I’m in a leadership role, people listen a little more. Even if they don’t want to believe that they’re listening to me, they are.”
Shivers wants to change the narrative. Instead of saying “minority group,” she says “global majority” because there are more people in the world with pigmentation in their skin than those without. “When I hear people saying that, I know that I’m making a difference.” For Shivers, being in a leadership role is about adding to the Mount, making the Mount better, and being the person who’s not just going to sit down and complain.
Shivers recognizes the importance of professors who take an interest in their students outside of the classroom. “When I was in college, I didn’t know my professors well, but the ones I did know really shaped me. They were able to help me and find the holes that I didn’t even know existed,” she said, explaining that she strives to be just as involved with her own students outside of class. “I’m probably not a typical faculty member. I try to be as involved with the students outside of the classroom because I know that was an integral part of me becoming who I am.”
Shivers has three pieces of advice for students. The first is to read as much as possible because it opens doors to language, information, and knowledge. One thing she regrets is not reading more when she was younger. The second advice is to travel to a different place where one can experience being the minority. According to Shivers, “It’s a humbling experience.” And lastly: take chances and step out of your comfort zone. “I’ve never regretted the things that I did as much as I regretted the things I didn’t do.”
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