For Cameron Roman, a sixth-year Ph.D. candidate in the Department of Philosophy at Marquette University, research is more than an academic pursuit — it’s a deeply personal exploration of identity, history and community. As a recipient of the prestigious Arthur J. Schmitt Leadership Fellowship, Roman is gaining time, space, and support to further his work while connecting with a cohort of socially engaged scholars.
Born and raised on Milwaukee’s south side, Roman’s path into philosophy began with a love of storytelling, nurtured during his years at the Indian Community School of Milwaukee. “Growing up, I was surrounded by stories about my culture and learned our history from the people who lived it,” Roman recalls. “As I got older, I was increasingly confronted by a world that tried to assign a predetermined identity to me.”
That tension between imposed identity and lived experience is at the heart of Roman’s research, which investigates what he calls the “necropolitics of (dis)appearance.” Through this concept, Roman examines how Indigenous peoples are alternately made hyper-visible or invisible in settler colonial narratives depending on which myths need to be upheld. “Take Manifest Destiny, for instance. It requires the presence of so-called ‘savages’ to justify conquest, but also the myth of an empty land to support settlement,” Roman explains. “I’m interested in how those contradictory stories coexist and how they shape Native peoples’ perceptions of themselves.”
His interdisciplinary work spans political philosophy, Native studies, history, literature, and media studies. Roman credits his philosophical awakening to reading W.E.B. DuBois during a difficult time in his adolescence. “Encountering DuBois’ concept of ‘double-consciousness’ was my moment of coming out of the cave,” he says. “It showed me that philosophy can give us the language to describe the world around us.”
The Arthur J. Schmitt Leadership Fellowship, awarded to eight outstanding Marquette doctoral students for the 2025 – 2026 academic year, supports scholars with a demonstrated commitment to leadership and community engagement. For Roman, the fellowship has already fostered a strong sense of connection with others in the cohort. “We’ve only had two meetings so far, but I already feel a powerful sense of presence and purpose,” he shares. “It’s a privilege to be surrounded by people who are committed to improving their communities.”
He encourages other graduate students to consider applying and to not let self-doubt stand in the way. “Nominating myself for the fellowship was a moment of self-affirmation,” Roman says. “If you’re thinking about applying, take time to reflect on your own journey and the ways you’ve positively impacted your community, however big or small.”
Roman’s time at Marquette has also been marked by strong mentorship. He credits Dr. Stephanie Rivera Berruz and Dr. Desiree Valentine from the Department of Philosophy for shaping his academic journey and supporting his growth as a researcher, teacher, and leader. “They’ve been my most ardent advocates for the past six years,” he says.
As Roman continues to blend scholarly inquiry with cultural expression, his work stands as a powerful example of how philosophy can serve both the academy and the community, and how leadership is often rooted in listening, learning, and lifting others up.
When he’s not researching, Roman can often be found at the local movie theatre with his friends enjoying the latest horror or science-fiction film. He’s also a singer on a Native drum in a group called Little Priest, which performs regularly in Southeast Wisconsin and in the Chicagoland area.
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