fabian romero is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Comparative Studies, affiliated faculty in American Indian Studies and Women, Gender & Sexuality Studies, and an Ohio Prison Educational Exchange Program faculty member.
What prompted you to become an OPEEP instructor?
I became involved in 2024, jumping on the opportunity to take the training that summer break. I had good experiences as a campus student when I was in undergrad and was so excited to teach now that I am a professor.
What courses have you teach for OPEEP, and have there been any challenges?
So far I have only taught Introduction to American Indian Studies, but it has been a wonderful experience. But teaching at a prison is not without challenges, like the reality that this time is not our time, that the prison can decide that students need to leave in the middle of class, cancel class, etc. Also, incarcerated students face unique struggles that campus students do not and I have had to adjust how I teach to accommodate and support these students learning.
What OPEEP classes will you be teaching in the future?
I will be teaching an advanced Native American course in 2026/2027 in a men's prison. This course will be open to advanced undergrads and graduate students on campus. I remember how transformative my experience was as an undergraduate student and am excited to have more campus students go through this. I want to be a part of OPEEP as long as I can, I feel committed to making education available to as many people as possible.
What takeaways would you like students to leave your class with?
I hope students leave with a deeper understanding of American history, expand their empathy for Native American people while recognizing their position in the structures of power constructed by colonialism.
What is the one thing you wish more people knew about prison abolition and transformative justice?
I wish people knew how connected abolition and transformative justice is to Native American sovereignty and decolonization.
What do you like to do in your free time?
I am a novice weightlifter, poet and vintage collector/seller. I love thrifting and saving vintage items from the dump.