John-Michael Rivera

John-Michael Rivera is a Professor and Dean of Arts and Humanities at the University of Colorado Boulder. He specializes in Latinx Literature, Cultural Studies, and American Literature. His work includes award-winning books such as The Emergence of Mexican America and UNDOCUMENTS, which have garnered prestigious accolades. Rivera has contributed to literary heritage projects, edited scholarly works, and co-created CrossBorders, an international collective addressing border-related themes. He teaches creative nonfiction, Latinx studies, and 19th-century American literature.

Research & Contributions: Rivera’s research bridges literature and social justice, focusing on marginalized voices in the Americas. He curates spaces like El Laboratorio to support Latinx writers. His essays and poetry explore intersections of identity, migration, and cultural memory. Beyond academia, he advocates for inclusive literary narratives through collaborative arts initiatives.

• Awards: Thomas J. Lyon Best Book Award, Kayden Award, Pope Award
• Key Projects: Recovering the U.S. Hispanic Literary Heritage Project, CrossBorders collective

His teaching spans creative writing, rhetoric, and documentary studies. Rivera actively engages with public humanities, emphasizing the role of literature in contemporary social discourse.