Consuelo Guayara Sanchez

Consuelo Guayara Sanchez is a Lecturer in the Department of Rhetoric at the University of Iowa. She holds a PhD in Geography from the University of Iowa (2007) and specializes in political economy, development, cultural geography, and nature-society theories, with a regional focus on Latin America. Her research examines sustainability in alternative food production projects in Colombia, including studies of farmers, peasants, and indigenous cooperatives. She teaches both upper-level and lower-division courses, such as 'Geographic Perspectives on Development,' 'Environment and Development,' and 'Contemporary Environmental Issues.' Her Rhetoric courses emphasize social and environmental sustainability, critical thinking, and global awareness.

Teaching highlights include designing service-learning Honors sections like 'Cultural Explorations for Health Care Professions,' partnering with local organizations, and leading a First-Year Seminar on humans and environmental impact. She has administrative experience as Chair of Economics at Corporación Universitaria de Ibagué and Coordinator of a Master’s Program in Environmental Management at the University of Tolima, Colombia. Her current research explores community resilience and aims to expand into related themes.