Gabriela Garcia

Gabriela Garcia serves as an Assistant Professor in the Department of English at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she teaches Creative Writing within the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences. Her office is located at 608 S Wright Street, Urbana, IL.

Dr. Garcia's scholarly work centers on:

• Cuban-American and Latina literary traditions
• Immigrant narratives and identity formation
• Multigenerational family stories across historical periods
• Feminist perspectives in contemporary literature

Her creative scholarship explores the complexities of cultural identity, migration, and intergenerational transmission of trauma and resilience among Latina women. Her writing style is characterized by vivid details, visceral prose, and powerful portrayals of strong, willful women navigating challenging circumstances across different historical contexts.

Garcia's literary output demonstrates consistent focus on intergenerational narratives connecting Cuban and Salvadoran women across time periods from 19th-century cigar factories to contemporary detention centers. Her work examines how women preserve cultural heritage and personal agency while navigating patriarchal societies and political upheavals.

She has received significant recognition including the prestigious Rona Jaffe Foundation Writer's Award and selection for Best American Poetry 2019. Her debut novel has been celebrated by prominent authors including Roxane Gay and Angie Cruz for its authentic portrayal of Latina experiences.

As an educator, Garcia brings her professional writing experience into the classroom, mentoring emerging writers while continuing her own creative practice. Her background as the daughter of immigrants from Mexico and Cuba, having grown up in Miami, informs her authentic approach to amplifying marginalized voices through literary expression.