An online petition supporting LBCC’s part-time professor and counselor, Kashara Moore, claims a wrongful proposal of dismissal has been given after a visible dispute broke out onstage during the 2022 commencement ceremony between the professor and a student.
The petition, created by LBCC faculty member Annahita Mahdavi West, states Moore has been placed on leave “pending a meeting to clear her name” due to the mispronunciation of graduate Carmina J. Barraza’s name during the ceremony.
West believes an injustice is taking place with the alleged proposal of dismissal saying, “This is absolutely not anything close to the equity, inclusion, racial justice that Long Beach City College claims. It is absolutely not justified for Dr. Moore to be dismissed… Terminate the leave of absence not terminate doctor Moore.”
According to the petition, allegations of an altercation have been noted as grounds for the dismissal. Barraza has reportedly accused Moore of elbowing her during the affair.
The ceremony, which was live streamed on Youtube and watched by over 5000 people is being used as evidence to clear Moore of any physical mishaps.
As seen in hour 3 at minute 27 of the livestream, Barraza is heard telling board of trustee’s representative Herlinda Chico “she elbowed me” referring to Moore. Chico is visibly upset and is seen prompting the student to return to the podium to have her name read correctly.
Moore goes on to pronounce the student’s name incorrectly a second time before the name is read out properly. She is heard apologizing to the student for the initial mispronunciation.
It remains unclear what has prompted LBCC’s proposal of dismissal against Moore.
The Viking will continue to provide updates as the story is confirmed further and brought to better light.