Dr. Robert D. Eschmann Granted Tenure at Columbia University

It is my great pleasure to announce that Dr. Robert D. Eschmann has successfully passed all stages of review, including approval by the University Trustees, and has been granted tenure at Columbia University.

The awarding of tenure reflects the University’s belief in the excellence of a scholar’s research, teaching, and mentoring, and their vital contributions to the intellectual life of the institution. A rigorous, multi-level review is involved. As many of you know, Dr. Eschmann’s innovative research focuses on the intersection of race, education, and technology, with a particular emphasis on how online and offline racial climates impact learning and development. Through his work, Dr. Eschmann brings critical attention to the ways in which systemic racism manifests in educational and digital spaces, offering solutions for equity and justice. He is the author of When the Hood Comes Off: Racism and Resistance in the Digital Age (University of California Press), an influential and timely book that explores how digital platforms shape and are shaped by contemporary expressions of racism and resistance. His research, teaching, and practice activities are consistent with the mission of social work and the University’s fourth purpose.

In addition to his outstanding research, Dr. Eschmann is a dedicated educator and mentor. His teaching bridges theory and practice, equipping students with the tools to critically engage with issues of race, media, and social change. His contributions enrich our curriculum and strengthen our School’s commitment to advancing social justice. 

I want to express my sincere thanks to the members of the CAA over the past year – Julien Teitler (chair), Nabila El-Bassel, and Brenda Jones Harden – as well as Vice Dean Ana Abraído-Lanza – for their efforts in supporting our remarkable faculty.

Please join me in congratulating Dr. Eschmann!

In community,
Melissa