Halford Fairchild, Ph.D.

Halford Fairchild is a Professor of Psychology and Black Studies at Pitzer College, a member of The Claremont Colleges. From Fall of 1998 to Spring 2001, and Fall 2006 to Spring 2007, Professor Fairchild served as Chairman of the Intercollegiate Department of Black Studies (IDBS). He received his B.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles, an M.A. from the California State University, Los Angeles, and an M.A. and Ph.D from the University of Michigan. He has been at Pitzer College since 1993. He is the former (1991-2002) and current (2010 - present) editor (1991-2002) of Psych Discourse: The Monthly Newsjournal of The Association of Black Psychologists (see selected back issues here).

Personal Statement

Higher education is a fundamental tool for personal growth and social change. But the requirements of a solid higher education are proper preparations at home and in the primary and secondary grades.
I am of African-American and Asian-American backgrounds. This "multi-racial" heritage has sensitized me to the complex problems associated with race in the modern world. As such, I am committed to eradicating racism and structured inequality in formal and informal institutions.

My scholarship is of an "activist" orientation. This means that much of my research and theory actively counters the "scientific racism" that continues to corrupt the hearts and minds of students, faculty, policy makers, and the general public. A current struggle is on debunking the validity of the SAT in college admissions and pointing to its use to exclude certain groups from higher education and the professions. Click the link, below (or this one), to see the status of this struggle.

My teaching seeks to develop the "habits of mind" that will serve students well throughout their lives: punctuality, orality and writing skills. I prefer 'revelation' to rigor.

Source: bernard.pitzer.edu/