Karen Tejada-Peña

Karen Tejada-Peña serves as Associate Professor of Sociology at the University of Hartford's Hillyer College, where she teaches Introductory Sociology, Introduction to Ethnic Studies, Sociology of Immigration, Race and Ethnicity, and Criminal Justice. Her courses emphasize student diversity and real-world sociological engagement.

• PhD, University at Albany
• BA, UC Santa Barbara

Her research centers on Central American diaspora communities with specific focus on immigrant political mobilization, transnational grassroots work, and criminal justice interactions. She employs qualitative methodologies to examine how Salvadoran communities navigate identity, leadership, and systemic barriers across national borders, particularly highlighting women's roles in social movements.

Recent publications reveal consistent exploration of Salvadoran transnational consciousness (2015-2016) evolving into contemporary analyses of pandemic-era policing impacts on Latinos (2023) and gendered leadership frameworks (2022). Her work bridges criminology, migration studies, and political sociology through community-centered approaches.

During Fall 2025 and Spring 2026, Professor Tejada-Peña will be on sabbatical and unavailable for university duties. Her teaching philosophy emphasizes student curiosity and diverse experiences as foundational to sociological learning.