John Hopkins, Ph.D.

Background

John serves as the Chief Diversity Officer (CDO) of Saint Martin's University. Collaborating with administrators, faculty, staff, and students, he provides visionary leadership to help guide the university in inclusive excellence, fostering institutional change and educational effectiveness that promotes diversity, equity, and inclusion in all aspects of university life. John also teaches courses in Indigenous Studies, Communication Studies, Race and Ethnic Studies, and Leadership Theory.

Much of John’s academic research centers on Native American and Indigenous Studies, Ethics, Political Philosophy, and Philosophy of Education. His current research critiques efforts by federal and state governments to reform Indigenous education in public schools. Using Tribal Critical Race Theory and Culturally Sustaining and Revitalizing Pedagogy, John proposes shifts in the way teachers learn about Indigenous education and instruct Native students that promote decolonizing strategies.

John and his partner, Regina, are proud parents to Zachary, Tristan and Abigail. A native of the Pacific Northwest, John grew up in Puyallup, WA, where his family now resides. John is a citizen of the Crow Creek Sioux Tribe, located in South Dakota.

Select publications

Books:

• Hopkins, J. P. (2020). Indian Education For All: Decolonizing Indigenous Education in Public Schools. Teachers College Press.  

 Peer Reviewed Articles:

• Hopkins, John. “Speaking with a Voice of Survivance: Genuine Conversation, Refusal, and Decolonizing the Contact Zone.” Philosophy of Education Society (2022).
• Hopkins, John. “Listening with the Ear of the Heart: Benedictine Spirituality & the Hermeneutics of Interfaith Conversation.” Journal of Catholic Higher Education, vol. 38 (2018): 235-252.
• Hopkins, John. “Justice and American Indian Education: A Reconciliation Approach.” Philosophy of Education Society (2013): 236-245.
• Hopkins, John. “Maori Education: The Politics of Reconciliation and Citizenship.” Catalyst: A Social Justice Forum vol. 2, 1 (2012): 13-21.

Book Chapters

• Hopkins, John. “Intersectionality, Colonizing Education, and the Indigenous Voice of Survivance.” In Intersectionalities of Race, Class, and Gender with Teaching and Teacher Education: Movement Toward Equity in Education, eds. Norvella Carter Michael and Vavrus, 17-29. Netherlands: Sense Publishers, 2018.
• Hopkins, John. “Indigenous Education Reform: A Decolonizing Approach.” In Indigenous Philosophies of Education Around the World, eds. John Petrovic and Roxanne Mitchell, 129-147. London: Routledge Publishing, 2018.

Professional association/membership

• Philosophy of Education Society (PES)
• American Educational Research Association (AERA)
• Association of Student Affairs at Catholic Colleges and Universities (ASACCU)
• National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA)