Rachel Yvonne Cruz

Rachel Yvonne Cruz serves as Assistant Professor in the Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies within the College of Education and Human Development at the University of Texas at San Antonio. A native of Seguin, Texas, her academic foundation combines musical expertise with educational leadership in multicultural contexts.

Education:

• Bachelor of Arts in Music, University of Notre Dame
• Master of Music, University of Texas at Austin
• Doctor of Musical Arts, University of Texas at Austin

Her research focuses on the intersection of identity studies and pedagogy, with primary expertise in Gender Studies, Ethnicity Studies, Race Studies, and Sexuality Studies. Secondary interests include Music Education and Multicultural Education, reflecting her background in founding Austin ISD's first middle school mariachi ensemble and teaching at Laredo's Vidal M. Treviño School of Communication and Art. Her work emphasizes developing competencies for multicultural and cross-national educational contexts.

Scientific Awards:

• National Association of Teachers of Singing (NATS) Competition Finalist
• Roy Crane Award for Creativity in the Arts (1996)

Dr. Cruz holds teaching certificates in Secondary Music and English as a Second Language. Her educational philosophy aligns with COEHD's mission to develop transformative leaders through community, integrity, excellence, scholarship, and service. She has established innovative programs in music education while advancing scholarship in identity studies within educational frameworks.