Maria Dueñas

Maria Dueñas joins the University of Illinois at Springfield (UIS) as an Assistant Professor of Sociology in August 2023. She holds a PhD from the University of California, Merced, and completed a 2022/2023 doctoral dissertation fellowship at UIS. Her work bridges sociology, Latinx studies, and social justice, with a focus on racial identity formation, immigration, and family dynamics in Florida and California.

• Race and Ethnicity: Examines racial discourses and identity formation among Latinx families.
• Immigration: Analyzes immigrant experiences and intergenerational dialogues.
• Education: Develops pedagogical tools for understanding inequality.

Her recent publications explore pedagogy, critical race theory, and anti-racist educational strategies. She has received prestigious awards, including the National Science Foundation AGEP California HSI Alliance Fellowship, and maintains a YouTube channel to disseminate sociological concepts and graduate school advice.