Brewing Community: Tea Time Expands
Assistant Professor Jericho Williams Receives People’s Endowment to Expand Tea Time Accessibility
The College of Liberal Arts is celebrating Assistant Professor of American Literature Jericho Williams, who has been named a 2025 recipient of the People’s Endowment. Williams' proposal aims to expand the accessibility of the department’s growing community initiative, Tea Time, by incorporating a virtual component.
Tea Time was founded following the 2024-25 Student Belonging and Community Award from the Office of Undergraduate 鶹 and Scholarly Activity (URSA), awarded to English Department Chair and Associate Professor Sarah Stanley and undergraduate student Naomi King. Their vision was to create an inclusive and dynamic space for English majors to connect, exchange ideas, and engage in literary discussions within a welcoming environment.
“Like some of our best ideas, Tea Time came about as a collaborative effort within the English Department,” Williams explained. “It has been a longstanding tradition that Professor Eileen Harney provided tea for our students; during the pandemic, she even mailed tea to some of them. Professor Harney, Professor Sarah Stanley, and I brainstormed different components of what has become Tea Time, a meeting time for English students that occurs a few times a semester. Our first Tea Time occurred last fall, and we decided to propose a virtual component as well as offer an English 211x class focused around the topic this spring. Thanks to an URSA Belonging Award, we also have a student liaison who has been directing and designing Tea Time remotely from the Maryland area. Working with this student also inspired us to think about how Tea Time might expand and include a virtual component.”
The People’s Endowment funding will enable Tea Time to incorporate virtual engagement, expanding its reach to remote students, alumni, and others who may face accessibility barriers. “We imagined this event to be as inclusive as possible and to spark future discussions, energy, and engagement with what we do in English, but without the pressure and formality of a classroom environment,” Williams shared. “From my perspective, educational changes exacerbated by the pandemic meant that we ought to try to connect with both on-ground and remote students who are at a geographic distance. Even here on campus or in Fairbanks, there are students who might like to attend one of our events but are limited by weather, transportation, and other challenges.”
A key element of this expansion is the integration of a storytelling platform and a new virtual screen for Zoom connectivity, broadening Tea Time’s impact beyond the English department’s physical location on the newly remodeled 8th floor of the Gruening Building.
Building on Tradition: Tea Time’s Role in the English Department
Tea Time has already made a significant impact in fostering a sense of belonging among students and faculty alike. Naomi King, a key student collaborator, emphasized the need for such a space: “The attendance at our first meeting confirmed for me how necessary community is in the English department. There’s a reason literature clubs have existed for centuries! Bonding over books can create meaningful and thought-provoking relationships that impact generations long after.”
Tea Time events occur a few times a semester, each focusing on different themes that engage students in literary and cultural discussions. “Professor Stanley's 211x class meets in the 8th floor area where we host Tea Time, rather than in a traditional classroom,” Williams noted, highlighting the immersive and interactive nature of the program.
Future plans for Tea Time include presenting at the UA-wide online symposium and featuring it at university welcome events. “One of our hopes is that we can involve undergraduate and graduate alumni in a similar capacity during Tea Time (and/or other special guests),” Williams added.
“We have not received the screen yet, so we are still waiting to see. However, the creative writing wing of our department regularly offers Zoom access to their Midnight Sun Series events, which is a good example of what we hope might eventually happen,” Williams said. He also emphasized that the department is continually exploring ways to enhance the program. “We are also constantly brainstorming ideas, and we hope that this program will allow the English department to showcase some of our creative, interdisciplinary, and conversation-starting work that brings people together.”
About the People’s Endowment and Fellow Recipients
The People’s Endowment at UAF supports projects that enhance student learning, engagement, and inclusivity. This year, alongside Williams, other College of Liberal Arts recipients include Jaunelle Celaire (Music), Yue Sun (Music), Sarah McConnell (Music), Tori McDermott (Communication), Joe Holt (English), and Kevin Michael Carroll (faculty mentor: Jamie Smith) (Art). Their work represents a wide range of creative and scholarly endeavors that contribute to UAF’s vibrant academic community.
With the support of the People’s Endowment, Tea Time will continue to grow as a welcoming space where students, faculty, and alumni can engage in meaningful conversations, whether in person or virtually.
About the UAF Department of English
The UAF Department of English fosters an environment where students engage deeply with literature, creative writing, and rhetoric while developing critical thinking and communication skills. With a faculty dedicated to mentorship and innovative research, the department offers a diverse range of courses that explore literary traditions, contemporary issues, and interdisciplinary studies. Students benefit from small class sizes, collaborative learning opportunities, and community-focused initiatives like Tea Time, which encourage connection and academic growth beyond the classroom.