Saskias Casanova

Dr. Saskias Casanova is an Associate Professor in the Department of Psychology at the University of California, Santa Cruz (UCSC), within the Social Sciences Division. She directs the Migration, Identity, and Education Lab (MIEL), focusing on the educational experiences of students of color and immigrant-origin students. Her work examines structural and interpersonal stigmatization, intersectional identities, and culturally rooted resilience strategies. Dr. Casanova holds a Ph.D. in Developmental & Psychological Sciences from Stanford University and has held roles including postdoctoral fellow at NYU and Assistant Professor at Arizona State University.

Research & Grants
Her research integrates community-engaged methodologies, addressing topics like transfer student equity, Black Muslim college students' resistance strategies, and Indigenous Yucatec-Maya youth resilience. Major grants include the Hispanic Serving Institution Cultivamos Excelencia grant and a Spencer Foundation project on Black Muslim student experiences. She has published widely on educational equity, intersectionality, and culturally responsive pedagogy.

Awards & Recognition
Awards include the 2023 Excellence in Teaching Award, 2022 Golden Apple Award, and the Gary Licker Memorial Chairship (2022–2026). She co-leads initiatives like the Cultivamos Excelencia project to enhance transfer student support at UCSC.

Teaching & Mentorship
Dr. Casanova advises graduate students in UCSC’s Psychology program and mentors undergraduate researchers. Notable advisees include Jade Goree (2023 Outstanding Leader Award) and Sydrah Al-Saegh (2023 Outstanding Researcher Award). She teaches courses on Latinx Psychology, Cultural Psychology, and qualitative research methods.

Community Partnerships
Collaborates with organizations like the UCSC Labor and Community Research Center and community partners such as Sara Radoff and Francia Cruz Silva to co-produce knowledge for equitable educational practices.