Bethany Davila

Bethany Davila is an Associate Professor and Director of Rhetoric and Writing in the Department of English Language and Literature at the University of New Mexico. She holds a PhD in English and Education from the University of Michigan. Her research focuses on raciolinguistics, critical whiteness studies, and racial linguistic justice, examining how language intersects with identity and systemic inequities. Davila has been recognized with UNM’s Outstanding Teacher of the Year Award and multiple scholarly accolades. Her work appears in prominent journals like College Composition and Communication and Written Communication, and she co-edited Defining, Locating, and Addressing Bullying in the WPA Workplace. Her forthcoming monograph, (W)riting Whiteness, addresses whiteness in writing studies. Davila’s administrative work emphasizes racial justice in writing program administration.

Her research explores language ideologies, writing program dynamics, and systemic oppression in education. Recent scholarship includes analyses of 'white language supremacy' in curriculum design and institutional bullying in academic leadership. She advocates for pedagogical approaches that center linguistic diversity and equity, particularly at Hispanic-Serving Institutions like UNM. Grants and collaborations focus on creating supportive writing programs for marginalized students.

• Key Awards: UNM Outstanding Teacher of the Year, Multiple Scholarship Awards
• Administrative Roles: Director of Rhetoric and Writing, Leadership in Writing Program Administration
• Professional Contributions: Co-editor of critical WPA studies, Active participant in CUNY activist networks

Her work bridges theory and practice, influencing both academic discourse and institutional policies. Current projects include advancing racial justice frameworks in composition studies and documenting systemic inequities in writing education.