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Dr. Pedro Nava is an Associate Professor and Director of Educational Leadership in the School of Education and Counseling Psychology at Santa Clara University. His scholarship centers on educational equity for Chicanx/Latinx and immigrant communities, combining critical race theory, participatory action research, and community-engaged methodologies. Education Ph.D. in Urban Schooling – University of California, Los Angeles, 2012 Ed.M. in Administration, Planning, and Social Policy – Harvard University, 2003 B.A. – California State University, Fresno, 1996 Research Interests Dr. Nava’s research interrogates systemic inequalities in urban and rural schooling, emphasizing critical pedagogy and critical race theory . He investigates how immigration status intersects with educational opportunity, and he collaborates with families and communities to co-construct transformative practices through participatory action research . His work also explores family-school-community engagement , leveraging community cultural wealth frameworks to amplify migrant and undocumented voices in educational policy and practice. Publication Trajectory Across more than two decades, Dr. Nava’s publications trace the evolution of critical scholarship in education. Early works examine institutional barriers for Chicano students, while recent studies integrate quantitative ethnography and testimonio methodologies to illuminate intersectional experiences of Latinx youth, undocumented graduate students, and farmworker families. Scientific & Community Awards No formal awards are enumerated in the provided text. Advising & Grants While specific grants and advisees are not listed, Dr. Nava’s leadership role as Director of Educational Leadership implies extensive mentoring of master’s and doctoral students, as well as oversight of grant-funded initiatives that advance equity-focused leadership preparation. Labs, Teams & Centers Dr. Nava directs the Educational Leadership programs within the School of Education and Counseling Psychology, fostering interdisciplinary collaboration and community-engaged research teams that partner with local schools, nonprofits, and migrant organizations.

• Urban and rural schooling inequality
• Critical pedagogy and critical race theory
• Immigration and education
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Jonathan D. Gomez is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Studies Advisor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at San José State University (SJSU). He also serves as Faculty Director and Co-Facilitator of the SJSU Culture Counts Reading Series. Dr. Gomez holds a 2021-2022 Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship from UC Santa Cruz’s Department of Latin American and Latino Studies. Education: PhD in Sociology with an Emphasis in Black Studies (UC Santa Barbara, 2018); BA in Sociology with Honors (UC Santa Cruz, 2008); Transfer Student in Sociology (East Los Angeles College, 2005). His research centers Chicanx and Latinx spatial practices in postindustrial Los Angeles, exploring how marginalized communities reclaim urban spaces through cultural resistance. Key themes include critical pedagogy, decolonial theory, and the intersection of race, space, and cultural expression. His work bridges sociology, cultural studies, and urban theory, with notable contributions to understanding punk subcultures and Black radical traditions. His publications reflect a trajectory from early analyses of East LA punk scenes (2012) to contemporary explorations of transformative education and spatial justice. Recent works emphasize collective pedagogical frameworks rooted in decolonial praxis. Awards: Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-22) As an educator, Gomez designs courses on race, creative expression, and cultural studies. He actively engages in community-based scholarship through the Culture Counts series, fostering dialogues on race and culture. His advising and mentorship are central to his role, though specific grant details are not disclosed in the provided materials. Current initiatives include directing the Culture Counts Readings Series, which amplifies marginalized voices in cultural discourse.

• Chicanx Studies
• Urban Sociology
• Cultural Studies
• +3 more

Nancy Mock is an Associate Professor in the Department of Global Health Systems and Development at Tulane University's School of Public Health & Tropical Medicine. She holds affiliated faculty status at the Stone Center for Latin American Studies. Her academic journey includes a B.S. in Biology from Yale University (1976), an M.P.H. in International Health from Tulane (1979), and a Dr.P.H. in International Health from Tulane (1985). Dr. Mock's research focuses on global health systems, evaluation methodologies, complex emergencies, and health systems in Latin America and Africa. Notable areas include Haiti's public health challenges and Rwanda's educational health programs. She has directed key institutions like the Center for International Resource Development and contributed to the Famine Early Warning System (FEWS). Her work is supported by major grants, including the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation Grant (2007), USAID's Regional Public Health Leadership Initiative (2006-2007), and Rwanda-focused projects (2000-2004). She has consulted for organizations such as the World Food Program, UNICEF, and the Pan American Health Organization. Fluent in French and Spanish, her overseas experience spans Honduras and extensive fieldwork in Africa and Asia.

• Global Health Systems
• International Health Development
• Evaluation Research
• +5 more

Dr. Michele Shaul serves as Professor of Spanish and Chair of the World Languages Department at Queens University of Charlotte, where she also directs the Center for Latino Studies. A dedicated scholar and educator, she co-founded the e-journal Label Me Latina/o and leads community-focused initiatives bridging academia and social outreach. Her academic credentials include: Ph.D. in Spanish-American Literature from the University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill M.A. in Spanish from the University of Florida, Gainesville B.A. with honors in Spanish from the University of Florida, Gainesville Dr. Shaul's research interrogates Latinx identity through literary criticism, translation, and creative writing, emphasizing intersectional experiences of race, gender, and disability within U.S. institutions. Her work actively challenges monolithic narratives while centering marginalized voices in both scholarly and artistic contexts. Analysis of her recent publications (2016-2023) reveals a cohesive trajectory exploring bilingual expression, cultural memory, and systemic inequity. Edited volumes on Latinx literature in Spanish and theater demonstrate scholarly rigor, while creative works like poetry and short stories employ personal narrative to examine reincarnation, hybrid identity, and border-crossing experiences. Her contributions have earned significant recognition: Queens’ 2016 Hunter-Hamilton Love of Teaching Award for pedagogical excellence 2023 Con A de Arte Award from the Latin American Coalition for cultural leadership Through the student/faculty Latino Studies Project, Dr. Shaul mentors researchers documenting Charlotte's Latino community history while collaborating with artists on tolerance-focused initiatives. Her editorial work with international scholars demonstrates sustained commitment to amplifying underrepresented voices across academic and creative domains. Dr. Shaul co-leads the e-journal Label Me Latina/o and directs the Latino Studies Project, fostering collaborative research between students, faculty, and Charlotte's Latino community. Her social outreach partnerships integrate art installations and performance to address diversity through experiential learning and public engagement.

• Latinx Literature
• Spanish-American Literature
• Translation Studies
• +3 more

Laura Alonso-Gallo is Professor of English and Department Chair of English and Foreign Languages at Barry University. She earned her BA, MA, and Ph.D. in English Philology from Universidad Complutense de Madrid, Spain. Her research focuses on American Literature , Latino/a Literature , Cultural Studies , Gender Studies , and Comparative Literature . She has extensive editorial experience as editor of Guayaba Sweet and Voces de América , and co-editor of multiple critical volumes. Her scholarly work spans topics including postnationalism , gender representation , ethnic identity , and cultural hybridity in literature. Articles such as 'Deconstructing Mexican Masculinity' and 'Postnacionalismo y el sueño americano' highlight her interdisciplinary approach. Scientific awards include the 2020 Sister Jeanne O'Laughlin Scholarship Award . She has received grants from Spain's Ministry of Education, Dartmouth College (Charles Dana Foundation), and the Salzburg Seminar. Dr. Alonso-Gallo serves on the Board of Directors of the Spain-Florida 500 Years Foundation, and is involved with organizations like Americans for Immigrant Justice and FIU's CasaCuba. She was born in Madrid, raised in Seville, and is committed to mentoring diverse students at Barry University.

• American Literature
• Latino/a Literature
• Cultural Studies
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Michelle A. Holling, Ph.D. is a Full Professor of Communication at California State University San Marcos, where she also serves as Director of Ethnic Studies. She joined the Department of Communication at CSUSM in 2007 and has held significant leadership roles including Director of the Ethnic Studies Program, Chair of the Communication Department, and member of the Ethnic Studies Steering Committee. Dr. Holling earned her interdisciplinary Ph.D. in Communication from Arizona State University and her M.A. and B.A. in Communication from San Francisco State University. Her academic journey has been marked by leadership and scholarly excellence within the field of communication studies with a focus on ethnic and gender perspectives. Her research expertise centers on Chican@-Latin@ vernacular discourse; testimonio and gendered violence; and womyn of color, academe, and intersectional microaggressions. Dr. Holling's work bridges critical race theory, gender studies, and communication scholarship, examining how marginalized communities navigate systems of power through discourse and performance. She has developed innovative courses including COMM 405, Feminist Rhetorics and COMM 485, Chican@s-Latin@s in Film & TV. Dr. Holling's scholarly contributions demonstrate a consistent focus on intersectional approaches to communication, with particular attention to Latin@ experiences, gendered violence, and critical race perspectives. Her work often examines how marginalized communities use discourse to resist oppression and create liberatory spaces. Outstanding Article Award (2022) from Feminist Gender Studies Division of NCA Outstanding Book Chapter Award (2021) from Latino/a Communication Studies Division of NCA Cordova-Puchot Scholar of the Year Award (2009) from Latino/a Communication Studies Division of NCA B. Aubrey Fisher Outstanding Journal Article (2007) from Western States Communication Association Dr. Holling has been actively involved in professional organizations, founding the Communication, Identities, and Difference interest group in the Western States Communication Association (WSCA), where she served as President (2017-2018) and Immediate Past President (2018-2019). She was also President of the Organization for Research on Women and Communication (2007-2010). Her leadership extends to editorial work, including co-editing "Race(ing) Intercultural Communication: Racial Logics in a Colorblind Era" (2016) and "Latina/o Discourse in Vernacular Spaces: Somos de Una Voz?" (2011).

• Chican@-Latin@ vernacular discourse
• testimonio and gendered violence
• womyn of color, academe, and intersectional microaggressions
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Natalia Villanueva-Nieves is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at Sonoma State University. Her interdisciplinary scholarship bridges literary studies, affect theory, and digital humanities, with a focus on Latinx, Chicanx, Central American, and Caribbean expressive cultures. Her academic background includes a doctoral degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies from the University of California, Santa Barbara, and a master’s in Comparative Literary Studies from Utrecht University. Dr. Villanueva-Nieves' research explores Latinx emotional geographies, transnational feminisms, hemispheric race studies, and digital storytelling. She investigates how affect, space, and racialization intersect in Latina narratives, particularly through relational and hemispheric frameworks. Her work emphasizes collective archives of care and hope in Latinx testimonial writing. Her recent publications reflect a strong trend toward interdisciplinary and public-facing scholarship, combining literary analysis with digital tools and social justice engagement. The articles span themes such as affective spaces, digital archives, transnational feminisms, and geocritical approaches to Latinx literature. Her scholarly work has appeared in Chiricú Journal , Ex-Centric Narratives Journal , Zócalo Public Square , American National Biography , Aztlán: A Journal of Chicano Studies , and edited volumes from UNAM and the University of Alcalá de Henares. Dr. Villanueva-Nieves is currently developing a digital monograph that uses interactive maps and digital storytelling to present Latinx testimonial writing as living archives. She is also completing her book The True Colors of Feeling Brown: Affect and Space in Latina Narratives , under contract with Palgrave in the Geocriticism and Spatial Literary Studies series.

• Latinx Literatures
• Chicanx Studies
• Central American and Caribbean Affect
• +7 more

Ella Diaz is a Professor and Chair of the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at the College of Social Sciences, San Jose State University. She specializes in interdisciplinary research at the intersection of digital humanities, Chicana/o art history, and archival theory. Research Interests : Digitization and preservation of Chicano artists' works Archival theory (Foucault, Derrida) applied to marginalized communities Contemporary Chicana interventions in art and cultural studies Testimonio as a narrative genre in the Americas Her current projects include a post-script to the 2020 A Ver volume on José Montoya, analyzing digital humanities' impact on Chicana/o artistic canons, and cultural analyses of testimonio in Latinx art exhibitions.

• Digital Humanities
• Chicana/o Art
• Archival Theory
• +4 more

Robert Gutierrez-Perez, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Critical/Cultural Studies in Communication at the Department of Communication and Media Studies, California State University, San Marcos (CSUSM). He earned his doctorate from the University of Denver in 2016 and specializes in examining intersectional power dynamics through performance studies approaches grounded in decolonial and indigenous theories. His research focuses on queer of color communication, Latina/o/x cultural studies, and Anzaldúan theory. Gutierrez-Perez centers subaltern and non-Western knowledge systems in his work, particularly exploring Jotería Communication Studies—the communicative practices of nonheteronormative mestizas/os. His scholarship employs cuentos, pláticas, chismé, testimonio, mitos, and consejos as decolonial methods for knowledge production. His recent publications reveal a strong focus on decolonial approaches to queer of color worldmaking, with particular attention to Anzaldúan theory and borderlands epistemology. His work bridges communication studies with Chicana feminist thought, creating innovative frameworks for understanding intersectional resistance and cultural survival. Award-winning editor of 'This Bridge We Call Communication: Anzaldúan Approaches to Theory, Method, and Praxis' Editor of the Performance & Pedagogy recurring series in 'Liminalities: A Journal of Performance Studies' Gutierrez-Perez's scholarly contributions include his book 'Jotería Communication Studies: Narrating Theories of Resistance,' which provides a cultural map highlighting reflexivity, cultural/queer nuances, and decolonial acts of resistance within Jotería communities. His work represents a significant contribution to queer of color critique and decolonial communication studies.

• Queer of color communication
• Critical/Cultural communication studies
• Latina/o/x communication and culture
• +7 more

Domino Renee Perez is a Professor in the Department of English and the Center for Mexican American Studies at the University of Texas at Austin. Her work bridges Young Adult Fiction, Mexican American and Latinx Literature, 20th and 21st Century American Literature, Film, Popular Culture, and Cultural Studies. She holds a Ph.D. from the University of Nebraska at Lincoln and has been recognized with the Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award and induction into the Academy of Distinguished Teachers (2023). Ph.D., University of Nebraska at Lincoln Books: Fatherhood in the Borderlands (2022), There Was a Woman (2008), co-edited Race & Cultural Practice in Popular Culture (2018) Her research explores racialized representations in media, focusing on Mexican American fathers, La Llorona, and intersections of Indigeneity in Latinx studies. She integrates autoethnography, film analysis, and literary critique into a 'slow scholarship' approach, emphasizing personal investment and imaginative recreation. Recent publications analyze topics such as Latinx YA fiction, Weird Westerns, and Gloria Anzaldúa’s legacy. Her teaching includes courses like E 344C (Young Adult Fiction/Film) and LAH 350 (Latinx Young Adult Literatures). Scientific Awards Regents’ Outstanding Teaching Award Academy of Distinguished Teachers Inductee (2023)

• Young Adult Fiction
• Mexican American and Latinx Literature
• 20th and 21st Century American Literature
• +6 more

Mónica González Ybarra is an Assistant Professor in both the Department of Curriculum and Instruction and the Department of Latina/Latino Studies at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Her research focuses on centering Chicanx/Latinx communities' linguistic and cultural knowledge in educational spaces, particularly through community-based pedagogies and youth participatory action research. She earned her B.A. in Latina/Latino Studies and Spanish from the University of Illinois (2011), M.A. from the University of Utah (2013), and Ph.D. from the University of Colorado Boulder (2018). Dr. González Ybarra’s work emphasizes the intersection of education, race, and language, advocating for transformative educational practices that honor students' home and community knowledge. Her research explores topics such as translanguaging, resistant pedagogies, and the role of 'chisme' (gossip) as a literacy tool for marginalized girls. She has received awards including the Cultivating New Voices Fellowship (NCTE) and AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship. Awards: Cultivating New Voices Fellow (NCTE), AERA Minority Dissertation Fellowship Research Focus: Bilingual education, sociopolitical navigation, community literacies Teaching: Prepares bilingual teachers to integrate homeplace knowledge into curricula Her recent publications analyze Latinx youth agency, linguistic expertise, and feminist pedagogies, with a focus on creating equitable educational spaces for communities of color. She collaborates with after-school programs and pre-service teachers to reimagine literacy and leadership frameworks.

• Bilingual Education
• Sociopolitical Education
• Community-Based Learning
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Ralph E Rodriguez is a Professor at Brown University , affiliated with both the American Studies and English departments. His work bridges Latinx literature , Chicano studies , and critical race theory , with over two decades of academic contributions. Education : PhD in English (1997) and BA in English (1992) from the University of Texas and Old Dominion University respectively Research focuses on ethnic expectations in literature , transnational identity , and border relations . Current projects analyze multilingual writers and creative non-fiction narratives. Funded by prestigious institutions like the NEH , Woodrow Wilson Foundation , and Cogut Center for the Humanities , he has published extensively on topics including Chicana/o identity , racial surfaces in graphic art , and assimilation critiques . His teaching awards from Brown, Penn State, and University of Texas highlight his commitment to pedagogy that merges radical love with critical analysis . Collaborations with scholars like Valeria Luiselli and affiliations with the American Studies Association and Latinx Studies Association underscore his influence in interdisciplinary fields. Scientific Awards & Fellowships MLA Best Book Prize (2006) Cogut Center Faculty Fellowship (2014) NEH Younger Scholar (1991) Phi Kappa Phi & Sigma Tau Delta honor society memberships Students engage through courses on Latinx cultural theory , creative non-fiction , and contemporary fiction , reflecting his dedication to community-building in academic environments. His radical love pedagogy emphasizes dialogue, positionalities, and equitable knowledge production across identity markers like race, class, and gender.

• Latinx Literature
• Chicano Studies
• Critical Race Studies
• +8 more

Laura E. Pérez is a Professor in the Chicanx and Latinx Studies Program and Department of Ethnic Studies at the University of California, Berkeley. She serves as Chair of the Latinx Research Center and is a core faculty member in the doctoral program in Performance Studies and the Department of Women’s Studies. Ph.D. in Romance Languages & Literatures, Harvard University B.A./M.A. Joint Degree, Romance Languages & Literatures, University of Chicago Exchange Scholar, Stanford University Summer Courses, Universidad de Salamanca Her research intersects decolonial aesthetics, feminist and queer theory, and spiritualities within Chicanx/Latinx and Indigenous cultural practices. She has curated significant Latina/o performance art exhibitions and authored foundational texts in Chicana art criticism. Pérez’s recent work explores coalitions between U.S. women of color feminist thought and Latin American decolonial ethics. In 2023, she is co-curating a major retrospective of Amalia Mesa-Bains at the Berkeley Art Museum & Pacific Film Archive. Her 2020 publication Eros Ideologies received a National Association of Chicana and Chicano Studies Book Award Honorable Mention. College Art Association’s Wyeth Foundation for American Art Publishing Grant (2020) Hellman Faculty Fellows Award Mellon Fellowships Susan B. Anthony Post Doctoral Fellowship Pérez has mentored graduate students in Ethnic Studies and taught courses spanning decolonial theory, racialization, spirituality in the arts, and U.S. women of color feminist thought.

• Chicanx and Latinx Feminist Art
• Decolonial Aesthetics
• Decolonial Spiritualities
• +5 more

Dr. Divana Olivas is an Inclusive Excellence Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Chicana/o/x Studies department at the University of New Mexico (UNM), affiliated with the Division for Equity and Inclusion. Her research bridges Chicana/o/x studies, critical food studies, and New Mexico’s regional history, emphasizing interdisciplinary methods like archival work and oral histories. She holds a Ph.D. in American Studies and Ethnicity from the University of Southern California and a B.A. in Chicana/o Studies from UNM. Her education includes a graduate certificate in Public Policy Advocacy and notable recognitions such as the Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship (2021) and the Richard “Dick” Cone Award for community-engaged scholarship (2021). She collaborates with organizations like the New Mexico Environmental Law Center and Three Sisters Kitchen, focusing on food justice and disrupting narratives around poverty. Dr. Olivas teaches courses like “Chile, Culture, and Critical Consciousness,” exploring food politics in the U.S. Southwest. Her scholarly contributions include analyzing environmental history through a Chicana lens and advocating for racial justice pedagogy. She co-coordinates the Chicana/o/x Studies Jardín Ollín project, blending culture and ecological wisdom.

• Chicana/o/x Studies
• Critical Food Studies
• New Mexico Regional History
• +3 more

Kim Warren is Associate Professor of History at the University of Kansas and currently serves as Vice Provost for Undergraduate Education. Her scholarship focuses on intersections of United States history , African Diaspora identity , and gender/racial analysis in educational contexts. Ph.D. and M.A. from Stanford University B.A. from Yale University Research spans Black and Native American education in Kansas, citizenship studies , and transnational feminist movements . Notable works include The Quest for Citizenship (2010) and co-editorship of Unequal Sisters (5th ed., 2023). Recent publications analyze Mary McLeod Bethune 's legacy and Indigenous feminist methodologies . Articles address colonial memory (Atlantic slave trade, Pacific nuclear testing), gendered labor (enslaved wet nurses, Japanese immigrant farm work), and transnational activism (Puerto Rican decolonization, Black Panther gender equity). Spencer Foundation Grant Woodrow Wilson Fellowship Fulbright's Danish Distinguished Chair (2015) American Philosophical Society Support Teaches U.S. Women's History , Indigenous history , and 19th century gender studies . Primary advisor for honors undergraduates and Ph.D. candidates in History. Courses include History of Women in America , Graduate Colloquia on Gender History , and Indigenous Peoples of North America .

• United States History
• African American and Native American Education
• Women's History
• +4 more