“I don't belong here”: Chicanas/Latinas at a Hispanic Serving Institution Creating Community Through Muxerista Mentoring

Abstract

In order to create more diverse communities and greater social justice in academia, a group of Chicana/Latina junior faculty at a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) established a research collaborative, Research for the Educational Advancement of Latin@s (REAL). Using a co-operative inquiry and dialogical epistemology, we document how REAL is an agency of transformative resistance to combat racism and sexism within academia. Also we reveal the importance of peer “muxerista mentoring” as an ideology and practice in building a supportive community in the bid for tenure. We provide implications and recommendations for the retention, tenure, and promotion of Chicana/Latina faculty.

Lucila D. Ek is an assistant professor in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies at the University of Texas at San Antonio. Her research focuses on language, literacy, and identity in Chicana/o and Latina/o communities.

Patricia D. Quijada Cerecer is an assistant professor in Educational Psychology at the University of Texas San Antonio. Her research focuses on Indigenous identity development in home, community, and school contexts.

Iliana Alanís is an assistant professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio in the department of Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching. Her research focuses on the additive effects of dual language programs for teachers and bilingual learners.

Mariela A. Rodríguez is an associate professor at the University of Texas at San Antonio in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies. Her research focuses on the role of school principals in supporting additive language programs for elementary school students.