Derek Adams

Derek Adams is an Associate Professor of Literatures in English at Ithaca College since 2012. He teaches courses on African American literature, Black women writers, and racial/gender stereotypes, including his innovative Ithaca Seminar on post-racial rhetoric. His office hours for Fall '25 are Mondays 1:00-1:50pm and Tuesdays 2:15-3:45pm (or by appointment).

Education

• Ph.D. in Literatures in English, University of Arizona (2012)
• M.A. in Literatures in English, University of Arizona (2008)
• B.A. in English, California State University Bakersfield (2006)

Research & Collaborations

Adams explores intersections of race, gender, and culture through post-racial discourse, hip-hop studies, and redefining 'student-athlete' paradigms. He collaborates with colleagues like Dr. Tom Nurmi (Elmira College) in cross-institutional teaching initiatives and maintains a junior faculty writing group for research critique.

Scientific Awards

• President Shirley M. Collado Award (2023)
• IC Faculty Excellence Award (2016)

Notable Courses

• ENGL 220: Black Women Writers - Writing as Resistance
• ENGL 371: Global Blackness
• ENGL 46902: Toni Morrison Across the Decades
• IISP 205: Intergroup Dialogue (race/ethnicity)