Anger after dance instructor abruptly dismissed from role at Tarrant County College
A respected dance instructor at Tarrant County College’s Northeast Campus has been relieved of her duties by college administrators, and students are demanding to know why — though one former student hinted at allegations against the faculty member.
Last Monday, Kihyoung Choi was teaching a ballet class when she was called into a meeting with college human resources, according to a report by the Collegian, TCC’s student newspaper.
Student Tania Perkins told the Star-Telegram Choi did not return to lead a dance class that evening, and students were subsequently told other instructors would cover Choi’s courses through the end of the semester. Perkins said students weren’t given an explanation for Choi’s removal until Monday, April 20, when they received what Perkins described as vague answers to their questions.
The Star-Telegram has been unable to reach Choi directly for comment.
Choi’s husband, Steve Hwang, told the Star-Telegram he was surprised when he saw his wife at home April 13 when she was scheduled to be in class. At that point, Hwang said, Choi didn’t know why she was asked to leave campus.
Hwang said he’s still in the dark because Choi can’t discuss the specifics of her leave, even with him. Hwang said he decided to speak to the media without telling Choi out of concern for her and for her career.
Hwang isn’t sure if this is a temporary leave or if Choi, who has been at TCC for nearly 15 years, could be fired. A TCC spokesperson couldn’t comment since it’s a personnel matter, but Hwang believes Choi’s situation is somehow connected to a Title IX complaint.
Title IX laws prohibit sex-based discrimination in federally funded education programs.
TCC students show their support for Choi
At the TCC Board of Trustees meeting on April 16, students and parents of students showed up and spoke in support of Choi.
During their remarks to the board, students described Choi as a talented, encouraging, supportive and caring mentor who is irreplaceable. They bemoaned the lack of transparency around her removal and asked college administrators to reinstate Choi.
“Dr. Choi brings a level of expertise typically found at conservatories in highly selective institutions,” said student Joshua Garcia. “Yet she has chosen to make sure that education is accessible at this level of affordability. It is rare, if not impossible, to find instruction of her caliber elsewhere.”
Three of the students who spoke fought through tears to voice their anger and frustration about Choi’s dismissal. Student Rachel Ramsarran called Choi’s departure “sudden and deeply troubling.”
But a former student, Malik Arevai, referenced unspecified allegations against Choi.
“As you’re probably already aware, last year there were several incidents involving Dr. Choi and myself that constituted not only TCC policy violations but Title IX policy violations for the state of Texas,” Arevai told the board.
Board president Jeannie Deakyne cut Arevai off and asked him to refrain from speaking publicly about personnel issues. When Arevai continued, he praised Choi as an instructor and lobbied for her to keep her job.
“I don’t believe that terminating her is the right course of action,” said Arevai. “I don’t believe that it’s a justice to myself. I don’t think it’s a justice to her. I don’t think it’s a justice to the program.”
When asked about the reference to a Title IX violation, Perkins, who has studied under Choi since 2017, said she couldn’t imagine Choi discriminating against anyone, pointing out that Choi’s students are very diverse.
Choi studied dance in her native South Korea and came to the U.S. to obtain her Ph.D. from Texas Woman’s University. She performed as a member of the Korean National Ballet Company and taught at the University of North Texas before joining the faculty at TCC nearly 15 years ago. She has also served as a guest choreographer at TCU.
The TCC Northeast Campus spring 2026 dance performance is scheduled for May 1. Perkins said students were told the show will go on as planned. Perkins and Ramsarran also said college administrators told dance company members that Choi would be allowed to attend the performance. Ramsarran said she saw that as a positive sign for Choi’s future at TCC.