Two faculty members at Cal Poly Humboldt find themselves named on a controversial national database maintained by Turning Point USA, sparking conversations about academic freedom and political polarization on the Northern California campus. While the listing has generated concern among colleagues, both professors report minimal direct impact on their daily teaching responsibilities.
Conservative Organization’s Faculty Database Draws Attention
The Professor Watchlist, operated by Turning Point USA, identifies educators the organization claims promote what it characterizes as leftist ideology while discriminating against conservative students. Currently, two Cal Poly Humboldt instructors appear on this national registry: Dr. Loren Cannon, whose expertise encompasses applied and environmental ethics, trans theory, feminist ethics, ethical theory, and legal theory, and Dr. Rouhollah Aghasaleh, an assistant professor within the School of Education.
Neither professor has experienced direct confrontations with students regarding their inclusion on the list. Both emphasize that broader national political tensions, rather than the watchlist itself, represent the primary concern affecting campus discourse.
Faculty Members Maintain Teaching Approach Despite National Spotlight
Dr. Cannon was added to the database in 2022 following publication of scholarly work on transgender rights. When initially listed, university administrators briefly explored potential security measures, though Cannon declined to pursue these precautions. The professor continues teaching and maintaining public visibility without modification.
Despite this steady approach, Cannon acknowledges unease about being nationally identified during a period of heightened polarization and widespread firearm ownership. The professor expressed particular concern about political rhetoric targeting transgender individuals, suggesting such language can escalate already tense situations.
Students have never mentioned the watchlist in Cannon’s classes, and when first listed, most Humboldt community members remained unaware of the database’s existence. “I need to do my work, and I don’t really think about these threats, but I know they are out there,” Cannon stated.
Education Professor Views Polarization as Greater Threat
Dr. Aghasaleh, who researches ideological conflict within educational settings, frames the watchlist within broader concerns about national division. The professor argues that polarization itself poses more significant dangers than any particular political ideology.
Colleagues have raised the listing twice with Aghasaleh: first when the campus TPUSA chapter formed in February, and again following the September shooting death of TPUSA founder Charlie Kirk. An emerita faculty member contacted university leadership about safety protocols for listed professors, with the president indicating plans to reach out. Aghasaleh reports never receiving this communication.
Despite appearing on the watchlist, Aghasaleh maintains positive relationships with campus TPUSA chapter members and notes that conservative students actively participate in classes. Some students who disagree with Aghasaleh’s social-justice-oriented teaching approach have indicated they feel most comfortable expressing conservative viewpoints in the professor’s courses.
Geographic context influences Aghasaleh’s assessment of potential risks. “It’d be different if I was in a conservative state,” the professor observed, suggesting California’s political climate provides some insulation from concerns that might arise elsewhere.
Campus TPUSA Chapter Distances Itself From National List
Turning Point USA established approximately 3,500 campus presence locations nationwide prior to founder Charlie Kirk’s death. The organization, which advances conservative Christian faith-based perspectives, describes its mission as identifying, educating, training, and organizing students to promote freedom principles.
Cal Poly Humboldt’s TPUSA student chapter, led by President Jack Ferguson, declined interview requests but provided written clarification about the watchlist. Ferguson emphasized that the national organization creates and maintains the Professor Watchlist without input from local chapters.
“The students of our club don’t have influence on the members of that list, nor does our club use that list for a specific purpose,” Ferguson explained. The campus chapter’s website states it aims to provide community for students who feel politically isolated.
Chapter membership briefly increased to seventeen members following Kirk’s September death, when vigils occurred across hundreds of American cities. Current membership has returned to twelve students, matching pre-incident numbers.
University Emphasizes Constitutional Protections
Cal Poly Humboldt declined to address specific questions about faculty safety assessments or institutional responses to the watchlist. Media liaison Aileen Yoo provided a general statement emphasizing First Amendment protections rather than engaging with particular concerns.
The university affirmed support for constitutionally protected expression and assembly rights while noting that all recognized student organizations receive equal treatment. Campus community members must follow Time, Place, and Manner guidelines when organizing events.
“Everyone has the right to express their opinions – even those that may be controversial and unpopular – as long as the activity doesn’t disrupt operations or infringe on the rights of others,” Yoo stated. The institution cited policy and legal considerations preventing comment on individual staff situations.
National Political Climate Intersects With Campus Life
Both professors identify increasing scrutiny of campus free speech as reflecting wider national tensions rather than local disputes. Students representing diverse political perspectives continue engaging in classroom discussions without apparent difficulty.
The watchlist phenomenon illustrates how national political organizations extend their reach into individual campuses, creating symbolic targets even when practical effects remain limited. For institutions like Cal Poly Humboldt, navigating these external pressures while maintaining academic freedom and open discourse presents ongoing challenges.
Aghasaleh’s research background in ideological conflict provides perspective on current dynamics. The professor distinguishes between principled conservatism and destructive polarization, arguing that division itself undermines productive dialogue across philosophical differences.
Academic Freedom Continues Amid External Pressures
Despite national attention and colleague concerns, both listed professors maintain their scholarly work and teaching commitments. Neither has altered pedagogical approaches or reduced public engagement due to watchlist inclusion.
This continuity reflects institutional cultures that prioritize academic freedom even when external organizations attempt to influence campus environments. The professors’ experiences suggest that symbolic targeting may generate more discussion than substantive disruption, at least within supportive institutional contexts.
However, both acknowledge that broader political climate factors create legitimate concerns. The combination of heightened polarization, inflammatory rhetoric, and recent violence affecting political figures contributes to ambient tension even when direct threats remain absent.
As universities nationwide navigate increasing political scrutiny from multiple directions, the Cal Poly Humboldt situation exemplifies how individual faculty members balance professional responsibilities with awareness of external targeting. Their approaches demonstrate resilience while acknowledging real concerns about national discourse quality and safety implications.
