Remembering Dr. Dominique Mwepu
The College of Behavioral and Social Sciences mourns the loss of Dr. Dominique Mwepu, a Lecturer in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences, who was a cherished and well-respected member of the university community. Dr. Mwepu died on Sept. 30, 2024. A resident of Gaithersburg, Md., Dr. Mwepu is survived by his wife, Mireille and his son, Joshua.
“Dr. Dominique Mwepu brought a positive and upbeat spirit that never wavered. I witnessed his genuine interest and concern in the development of our undergraduate students. He always had them in his mind and heart,” said Stephanie Grissom, an Academic Advisor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences. “He always had a smile on his face. Whenever he stopped by my office, he instantly made you smile or laugh with a witty joke or intellectual reference. I will truly miss him but know that his spirit lives on.”
One of Dr. Mwepu's students, Alyssa Davies, shared her thoughts. "I am deeply saddened by the news of his passing. He was a great professor, but more importantly a great person who I could tell genuinely cared for his students."
Dr. Mwepu’s teaching and scholarship focused on topics including applied linguistics, language policy and planning, language didactics, and literary studies.
Prior to joining the University of Maryland, Dr. Mwepu previously served as an adjunct professor at the University of the District of Columbia, and was an assistant professor at the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, South Africa.
Dr. Mwepu earned his Ph.D. from the University of Cape Town, South Africa; his post-graduate Diploma in Education from the University of Cape Town, South Africa; and his Master of Education from the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique in the Democratic Republic of Congo. He also earned undergraduate degrees from the Institut Supérieur Pédagogique.
Among his many activities, publications, awards, and honors, Dr. Mwepu in 2015 served as a Rapporteur to the Minister of Basic Education regarding strategies to combat gender-based violence in South African schools at a National School Safety Summit in Johannesburg.
On his curriculum vitae, Dr. Mwepu described his teaching philosophy as “rooted in the understanding that the classroom should be an anxiety-free zone in which students exercise the freedom to learn without any fear or intimidation. Building a trusting relationship through dialogue is essential. I start by affirming students and assuring them that they will be accepted and respected.”
"Dominique was always a bright spot in my day. He was passionate about teaching and loved teaching the Freshmen Connection sections. He set the highest example of integrity and character. He saw the best in everyone and found joy in even the most difficult situations, and helped me to do the same," said Associate Clinical Professor Kristin Slawson.
Members of the campus community are invited to reflect on Dr. Mwepu’s life and legacy on at a special gathering held from 12-2 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 9 in the UMD Memorial Chapel Garden.
Photo via GoFundMe.
Published on Mon, Oct 7, 2024 - 1:22PM