CHSS Faculty Spotlight: Jong Bum Kwon

By Maribeth Wagganer 

Dr. Jong Bum Kwon lived in a small town in Wisconsin and attended a small liberal arts college in Minnesota. He is a first-generation college student and the first in his family to graduate high school.

Kwon stated he “wasn’t prepared for college, lacked confidence in his academic potentional, and had little idea about what he wanted to do” until he began taking cultural anthropology courses, which helped him see himself and the world in a different way. One of his professors encouraged him to see his own potential. Kwon remembered what his professor told him, “You are a lot smarter than you think.” 

After Kwon earned his bachelor's degree in Anthropology, the same professor helped him apply for a doctoral program at New York University. During his career, he has done research on unemployed factory workers in Korea and on race and racism in the U.S. Kwon hopes to inspire, challenge and encourage his students to gain a broader understanding of themselves and the world. 

Kwon has been a professor for over 10 years at Webster University. He has been enjoying his time teaching and challenging his students, academically and professionally. He explained that he aspires to help his students reach their full potential because his previous professor's actions made an impact on his own life. He enjoys broadening students’ world view, directing them to resources and helping them find their confidence. The statement, "You are a lot smarter than you think" has had a significant influence on Kwon's life. As a result, he has lived by that statement and has continued to challenge his students to be the best version of themselves.