Resigning from my tenured position was an experience I am very much still processing and not quite ready to write about at length. But I wanted to share two examples of the solidarity and care my students offered during and after that decision.
One of them wrote about it in the student newspaper. New Paltz Students for Palestine went further; they joined with the larger group SUNY BDS to share my story on Instagram.
On March 21st, 2025, after over a year of harassment from the SUNY New Paltz administration for her pro-Palestinian views, beloved WGSS professor Jessica Pabón resigned from her tenured position. Dr. Pabón’s anti-racist, queer feminist politic brought with it community and safety for so many of the students who attend class on this campus. It is deeply saddening to see her go, but make no mistake, Dr. Pabón’s resignation is a righteous one. Her story is another one that highlights this administration’s oppression and the intellectual, material regression brought about by Zionism’s reign. Real hurt has been inflicted upon real people, and a catastrophic slaughter of human life continues in Gaza. Our university has once again sided with genocide and now all of us must say goodbye to an incredible teacher, activist, and friend. Thank you, Dr. Pabón for all you have done for us, all the ways you have protected this community. This administration has no idea the caliber of person they have forced out of their doors. We love you and Free Palestine.
These students are the fiercest comrades a feminist professor could ask for and I will continue to miss them dearly.
Jessica N. Pabón, PhD 
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