The APSA Community College Faculty Award is presented annually by the American Political Science Association (APSA) to honor exemplary contributions that advance the multi-faceted goals of community college faculty.
Citation from the Award Committee:
A self-described, “high-spirited feminist philosopher and political scientist”, Dr. Loonat is a passionate advocate for equity and social justice. As an immigrant and first-generation scholar, she brings a unique and invaluable perspective to her work.
Dr. Loonat’s dedication to teaching excellence is exemplified by multiple teaching awards at Skagit Valley College. An innovative instructor, she has transformed the classroom into a space of critical inquiry and empowerment, boasting an unparalleled student success rate. Committed to fostering inclusive environments, Dr. Loonat is a pioneer in equity and inclusion training, addressing topics such as liberatory practices, racial microaggressions, and the creation of equitable award committees and anti-racist tenure review processes.
Beyond the classroom, Dr. Loonat is a prolific researcher whose work has garnered international recognition. Invited to present at the University of London and to deliver a TEDx Talk, titled “Racism in Higher Education”, at the University of Santa Barbara in 2022, she excels at translating complex ideas into accessible and impactful discourse.
Dr. Farhana Loonat is a tenured faculty member in Political Science and Philosophy at Skagit Valley College (SVC). She holds a MA in Philosophy from the University of Virginia, a Graduate Certificate in Women’s and Gender Studies and a PhD in Political Science, both from Vanderbilt University.
She is a Fulbright Scholar, International Peace Scholar, recipient of the Associated Federation of Teacher’s Cesar Chavez Human Rights award, and one of University of London’s 2022 Contemporary Woman Philosophers.
Her shared governance record includes current service on the Association for Political Theory’s DEI and Academic Freedom Committees, Communities for our Colleges’ Working Committee on Equity, and SVC’s Equity Steering Committee.
An activist scholar and educator with an international background, her teaching practice centers student success, identifying and closing equity gaps, supporting historically underserved people on their educational journeys and effecting systemic change in the form of equitable policies and racially equitable laws.
Dr. Loonat’s forthcoming book (2025) examines white supremacy in U.S. higher education, using equity as a racial justice tool to ameliorate the consequences of racial battle fatigue on Black, Indigenous, and other faculty, staff, and students of color.
APSA thanks the committee members for their service: Dr. Julia Wendt of Victor Valley College and Dr. Rob Harbaugh of the College of Western Idaho.