About us

Mission: The Mountaintop Coalition was founded in 2018. It is composed of students and scholars of the ancient Mediterranean world and its reception (broadly defined) with a shared interest in advancing the professional goals of Classicists who identify as members of ethnic groups traditionally underrepresented in the field. Such interests will include scholarly approaches to the study of race and ethnicity in antiquity, but the group’s activities will focus on practical issues of diversity, equity, inclusion, and access in professional settings. 

Membership: Anyone who might be considered a member of a racial or ethnic group traditionally underrepresented in the field of Classical Studies is welcome to join. The benefits of membership are primarily access to networking events and mentoring opportunities at the moment, although we aim to develop further programs in the future. To join the Coalition, click here and enter your email address. Membership is free.

Name: The Coalition's name is drawn from a well-known speech of Martin Luther King Jr., which includes numerous classical references as well as a positive vision of collaborative action.

Who we are: Mountaintop is run by a steering committee of 8 scholars , teachers, and students of Classics from around the United States in collaboration with its full membership. If you'd like to play an active role, please email us at mountaintopcoalition@gmail.com


Steering Committee

Naomi Campa

Assistant Professor, Department of Classics

University of Texas at Austin

Cassandra Casias

Assistant Professor of Classical Studies

Duke University

Chris Gipson

Postdoctoral Instructor of Classics and Archaeology

Loyola Marymount University

Young Kim

Associate Professor and Head, Classics and Mediterranean Studies

Associate Professor, History

University of Illinois at Chicago

Yusi Liu

PhD Candidate, Department of Classical and Near Eastern Archaeology

Bryn Mawr College

Najee Olya

Assistant Professor of Classical Studies, Department of Classical Studies

The College of William & Mary

Lex Ladge


VACANT