Latinx Intelligentsia
Dra. Michelle Espino Lira
This bi-weekly podcast is dedicated to uplifting Latinx/a/o students, administrators, faculty, and stakeholders in higher education. La Profesora, Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, focuses on the ways in which we can uplift our gente to and through higher education so we can all thrive.
La Profesora's Sidenote on Higher Ed/Student Affairs Doctoral Admissions
Ep. 52 As La Profesora, Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, slowly returns to the podcasting space, we thought it would be helpful to talk about the daunting world of doctoral program admissions. In this Sidenote, La Profesora offers invaluable insights and practical tips for making informed decisions about your doctoral journey to and through Higher Education & Student Affairs doctoral programs. This episode includes shout outs to inspiring mujeres on Instagram who are empowering Latinx voices in gradua
Oct 30, 2024 • 19:19
In Memoriam
Ep 51 This episode is dedicated to Mrs. Ramona Espino, who was and remains a brilliant light in La Profesora's heart. La Profesora talks about what it means to live in, through, and around grief. Through this profound loss, there lies opportunity for deep reflection about "being as doing". So often, life on these academic streets is a flurry of activity--always on to the next project, the next grant, the next opportunity to do that humble brag. And what La Profesora asks of herself and all of
Aug 4, 2023 • 18:24
Back in the Day Replay: Dra. Melissa Abeyta
It's a Back in the Day Replay, ya'll! La Profesora is giving flowers to Dra. Melissa Abeyta, the creator and host of the Scholar Homies Podcast: The Story is to be Told, Not Sold, Conversations with the Soul. We talk about her transition to the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, the legacy she is building alongside her colegxs y Scholar Homies, Dr. Anacany Torres, Dr. Oscar Duran, and newly-minted Dr. Joe Louis Hernandez (who was featured in Ep 40) to support formerly incarcerated and system
Feb 6, 2023 • 28:46
Celebrating the 50th Episode!
Wow, ya'll! We're kicking off Season 7 by celebrating 50 episodes that showcase the amazing work that our gente are doing in higher education! We have a special guest host, future Dra. Nancy Camarillo who offers fantastic reflection questions for La Profesora. Our conversations takes us back to the early days of the podcast, lessons learned, and even some things that you didn't know about our host! Special thanks to all our guests who took time to talk with us not only about their work in highe
Jan 23, 2023 • 31:20
Back in the Day Replay: Dra. Gina Garcia
La Profesora is coming back, ya'll! Thank you for your patience and support! As we prepare for a new season of the podcast, we want to give a shout out to an amazing scholar who is holding it down in the podcasting world: Dra. Gina Garcia! We were fortunate to have Dra. Garcia on the show in Episode 10: Beyond the HSI Designation con Dr. Andrés Castro Samayoa. We are excited about her new podcast, ¿Qué pasa, HSIs? In this blast from the past, we talk about the process of writing Dra. Garcia's f
Jan 9, 2023 • 26:45
To Pivot and Thrive
Ep 49 This episode is a tribute to all the student affairs practitioners out there who went beyond the "other duties as assigned" at the start of COVID-19. Student Affairs practitioners had to pivot and find a way out of no way to offer support and resources to students, especially those most in need. None of you have been compensated enough for your efforts! La Profesora talks with the newly minted Dra. Karla Cruze-Silva about starting a new job right before the pandemic sent higher education i
Jul 1, 2022 • 33:10
Paying It Forward: Y Tu También College Access Program
Ep 48 It is with so much sorrow in my heart that I post this episode. I do not want to lose hope. The Black community in Buffalo deserves everything we have. The Taiwanese parishioners in Santa Ana deserve everything we have. The children and teachers who were murdered in Uvalde deserve everything we have. Every victim of gun violence deserves everything we have. Not one more. My partner and husband, John Lira is running against the representative whose district includes Uvalde. If you can suppo
May 27, 2022 • 40:55
A Shared Sacred Space: The Central American & Isthmian Writers Group
Ep47 What started as a way to gather to write at the start of the pandemic evolved into a shared sacred space among Central American and Isthmian writers who sought a space to tell their stories from the Isthmus. La Profesora talks with Eileen Galvez, Samantha Erskine, Bri Rodriguez, and Jessica Hoppe about how the CentAm Writers began and ways that they have evolved to co-create and co-share a worldwide community. Our Poet-in-Residence & in Resistencia, Gabriel Pulido shares the poem "Ode to my
Apr 15, 2022 • 40:13
The Nominee
BONUS EPISODE! Ya'll didn't think that after talking about my love, John Lira's campaign for the past few seasons that I wouldn't showcase a critical moment in our journey, right?! In this BONUS episode, I captured moments before, during, and after election day in the Texas primaries. John Lira, candidate for Texas 23rd Congressional District, is now the nominee for TX-23! It's on to November, ya'll! If you like what you hear in today's episode, help out the campaign! We're nearing the end of th
Mar 24, 2022 • 22:35
Materializing Worlds that Don’t Exist Yet for Queer Latinx People
Ep 46 La Profesora talks with newly-minted Dr. Roberto Orozco (felicidades on your dissertation defense!) about the connection between Jotería Studies and Chicana Feminism. Early Chicana Feminists crafted a theory that disrupted heteronormativity and uplifted race/ethnicity, gender, and sexuality, a foundational element that is not always addressed or honored when drawing from Chicana Feminism. Therefore, Jotería Studies and Chicana Feminism have been linked since the very beginning. Dr. Orozco
Mar 16, 2022 • 37:17
Poetry Uncovers Wounds We Thought Had Already Healed
Episode 45 Ya'll! We have a new Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, future Dr. Gabriel Pulido! Gabriel shares his journey with spoken word and slam poetry, noting that his creative writing and academic writing processes sometimes blend together. As a conjurer of joy, our new Poet-in-Resistencia offers writing workshops that help queer and transgender folx heal, recognizing that there some wounds take longer to close. Gabriel shares his poem "Legally Blonde" ************************** Show Note
Feb 28, 2022 • 35:13
A Model of Possibility
Ep44 It's always inspiring to learn from a scholar who centers comunidad in her work. La Profesora talks with Dra. Dolores Delgado Bernal about her incredible contributions to promoting assets-based frameworks in the study of Latinx/a/o educational pathways. She reminds us that no idea is ever fully finished, that we are always evolving in our thinking, and that we can disrupt toxic norms in academe through community. Believe the Hype is back with Dr. David Martinez, a member of our Academic Hyp
Feb 15, 2022 • 43:26
Live The Questions
Episode 43 Bridging sensing and thinking is not often valued in academia. So-called "objectivity" is what is honored. Yet, our gente know something about sensing and thinking that can create a vision of higher education that can bring wholeness and hope. In this episode, La Profesora talks with Professor Emerita Dra. Laura Rendon about sentipensante pedagogy, the legacy she has crafted in centering marginalized and minoritized students, and the value of being patient with the germination of one
Jan 1, 2022 • 40:18
Beyond Strategy: A Conversation with Dra. Estela Bensimon
Ep. 42 In higher education, we tend to hear that we should be strategic in teaching, service, publications, and grants--pretty much EVERYTHING! What if I told you that one of our veteranas in the field focused more on doing the work she cared about than about strategizing every step in her storied career? La Profesora had the opportunity to talk with University Professor Emerita Dra. Estela Bensimon, about her commitment to racial equity, the challenges of sustaining the Center for Urban Educat
Dec 18, 2021 • 38:29
They're Already Here: Formerly Incarcerated & System-Impacted Students
Ep 41 To have the courage to say that one is system-impacted is just the tip of the iceberg in this thought-provoking conversation with Dra. Melissa Abeyta. Dra. Abeyta is working with her Scholar Homies to encourage institutions of higher education to pay attention to a student population that is already present on their campuses: formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students. In her conversation with La Profesora, Dra. Abetya shares what is possible if institutions respond to the needs of
Nov 23, 2021 • 44:41
Soy Quién Soy: Formal Education After Incarceration
Ep 40 Future Dr. Joe Louis Hernandez has lived several lifetimes. By the age of 19, Joe Louis was an addict and facing incarceration. His life was changed after attending a drug treatment center that was connected to Mt. San Antonio College, a community college in Southern California. As he moved through formal education to now as a doctoral student and full-time practitioner with the Rising Scholars program, Joe Louis has dedicated his life and career to supporting and advocating for those who
Nov 1, 2021 • 37:33
Representing the Misrepresented: Critical Quant
Ep 39 Critical Quantitative methodology is justice-oriented and focuses on context. If you plan to be a critical quant or quant crit, you need to acknowledge that national datasets do not accurately reflect the lived experiences of those who have been historically marginalized and are founded upon frameworks that are not critical. La Profesora talks with Dr. Juan C. Garibay about his approach to solving problems that are rooted in critical quantitative methodologies. His approach is influenced b
Oct 5, 2021 • 28:10
It's Not Neutral: Quantitative Methods
Ep38 It's not often that La Profesora has such an enriching and joyful conversation about quantitative methods, pero, Dra. Elizabeth Rivera Rodas offers a fantastic perspective on using quantitative methods to critique structural inequities in higher education. We talk about the journey through a joint PhD, the importance of allowing the research question to guide the methodology, and being okay with not knowing it all. Academic Hype Team shout outs! Hope Pacheco, University of Houston Delmy L
Sep 22, 2021 • 38:27
We Are Worthy Because We Exist
Ep. 37 Hola, mi gente! Welcome to Season 5! In our first episode of the season, we welcome our new Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, future Dra. Cecilia Caballero, who talks about her journey as a single mother surviving through COVID-19, intergenerational poverty, and the challenges of academe to (re)claim herself through creative writing. Cecilia shares her poem "Dear Fear". La Profesora also shares significant developments in her life as the partner of a Congressional candidate! Learn mor
Sep 7, 2021 • 35:06
Finding Spaciousness Within
Ep. 36 It's our final episode of the season and it is FIRE! We bid farewell to Sarah Gonzales, who is completing her tenure as our inaugural Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia. Sarah drops knowledge on the critical questions we should all be asking ourselves as we transition to being out in the world with and without masks and social distancing. This summer, we hope that you can search for the answers in ways that are meaningful to you. Of course, Sarah has curated poetry for us from Ada Limó
Jun 14, 2021 • 31:47
Expect the Unexpected
*Episode 35* Our conversation with full-time higher education professionals who are enrolled in doctoral programs continues! La Profesora talks with future Dr. Oscar Lanza-Galindo and his daughter Chel about how he navigated his first year in doctoral student amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Fortunately, he had tremendous support from his partner, Jamie, and from Chel, who knew exactly when to help her dad take a break from studying for foam sword fights! What is most moving from this episode is how
May 31, 2021 • 39:38
It's Really Full-Time, Full-Time
Episode 34 The term "Part-time doctoral student" is a misnomer. Our gente who navigate full-time work, while also engaging in coursework and life outside of campus are full-time, full-time. There's really no part-time to it! La Profesora talks with future Dr. Bri Serrano about their journey to entering the program at Colorado State University, while also working full-time at Cal Poly-Pomona. Bri notes the critical questions that you have to ask of the program, of your work colleagues, and of you
May 17, 2021 • 37:28
Racist Rhetoric: It's Always Been There
Episode 33 Why They Hate Us: How Racist Rhetoric Impacts Education (Teachers College Press) is a powerful compilation that bridges K-12 and higher education teachers, scholars, and practitioners in uncovering how racist rhetoric affects student pathways and experiences. La Profesora talks with Dra. Lindsay Perez Huber y Dra. Susana Muñoz about their journey as co-editors and their determination to tell the story of racism in U.S. educational systems. Our Academic Hype Man, Dr. Nolan Cabrera show
May 4, 2021 • 32:16
Cultivating Comunidad Through Queer Chisme
*Episode 32* La Profesora talks with future Dr. Yolanda Cataño about how she has drawn upon queer chisme to cultivate comunidad within Latinx/a/o queer communities. Our conversation journeys through her relationship with her #ScholarHomies, her commitment to serving Latinx/a/o queer communities in her area, and addressing what "servingness" means when addressing the needs of Latinx/a/o queer students in community colleges designated as Hispanic-Serving Institutions. Our Poet-in-Residence & in Re
Apr 19, 2021 • 34:50
Ethical Chisme Rooted in Queer Radical Love
*Episode 31* La Profesora talks with future Dr. Sergio Gonzalez y future Dr. Ángel Gonzalez about ethical chisme as a practice of queer radical love and as methodology. We delve into Jotería Scholarship and discuss why the field of higher education has yet to uplift this research. AND we talk about the many ways that academia does not serve us pero we are still here, still engaging in radical love with ethical chisme! For our Believe the Hype segment, our Academic Hype Man, Dr. Nolan Cabrera hyp
Apr 5, 2021 • 43:09
Writing Series: The Editor's Perspective
Episode 30 Although we all want to shake our fist at Reviewer #2, we don't usually have a chance to go behind-the-scenes of an academic journal. In this episode, La Profesora talks with Dra. Cindy Cruz, who recently stepped down from her role as associate editor for the Frontiers Journal, which is connected to the National Women's Studies Association. Dra. Cruz offers an inside perspective on what it takes to make a journal viable--from finding an academic home for the journal to recruiting grea
Mar 22, 2021 • 36:34
Setting the Vision
In Episode 29, La Profesora talks with Ricardo Nazario y Colón about the importance of senior leadership in higher education setting a vision for diversity and inclusion. Senior Diversity Officers cannot be effective if a vision is not in place! We also talk about what it means to do DEI work as an office of one, serving the needs of faculty, administrators, and students. You can find Ricardo on LinkedIn at Ricardo Nazario-Colon We also launch our new segment: BELIEVE THE HYPE! with our Academic
Mar 8, 2021 • 36:34
The Work is Never Done
We're back with Season 4! For our first episode of the season, La Profesora talks with Dra. Constanza Cabello at Framingham State University about what it's like to be the inaugural Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Community Engagement. We talk about moving from personal growth in DEI work to structural change and how to stay in the field where the work is never done. Our Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, Sarah Gonzales curates poetry from Adrienne Rich.
Feb 23, 2021 • 37:32
Writing Past the Limits
For the last episode of the season, La Profesora is revisiting the Writing Series we are doing all year. This time, she talks with Dr. Davíd Martínez about writing beyond publications and metrics for tenure and promotion. Writing should be about community, about action, and about praxis. Our Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, Sarah Gonzales, shares poetry from Paola Valenzuela. As you wait for Season 4, please nominate gente to share their stories on the podcast, listen to previous episodes,
Dec 7, 2020 • 55:48
From Blanquemiento to Black-imiento
Even before the protests and outrage that stemmed from the murders of Breonna Taylor, Ahmaud Arbery, and George Floyd, there have been discussions about anti-Blackness in Latinx/a/o communities. This episode focuses on addressing anti-Blackness by centering Blackness in our comunidad through the tenets of Black-imiento created by Amalia Dache, Jasmine Marie Haywood, y Cristina Mislán in 2019. La Profesora talks with Dra. Amalia Dache about applying the tenets of Black-imiento to the study of hig
Nov 23, 2020 • 1:10:03
La Política es Bonita
We’re doing a different take on what you have probably been hearing and reading as folx push through the final campaigns for Election Day 2020. Not to say that our current political climate is beautiful, but that our engagement in our local communities, of fighting for justice for our communities is beautiful in its effort. We are focusing on local perspectives—what happens when one of us within higher education runs for elected office? We showcase Dr. Raul Fernandez, who is the first Latino mem
Nov 2, 2020 • 1:20:21
Writing About Dominicanidad:
We kick off our Writing Series with a focus on writing academic books! La Profesora talks with Dra. Lorgia Garcia-Peña about her journey in writing her first award-winning book, The Borders of Dominicanidad: Race, Nations and Archives of Contradictions (Duke University Press, 2016) and how she carried the idea for her second book, Translating Blackness: Migrations and Detours of Latinx Colonialities in Global Perspectives from the beginning of her graduate studies. Our Poet-In-Residence and in
Oct 20, 2020 • 47:55
Latinx: Say it With Intention
The term "Latinx" is still in the process of becoming. La Profesora talks with Dr. Cristobal Salinas, who has studied the evolution of the term within higher education contexts and introduces additional terms that may (better) address the experiences of gente within the Latinx/a/o diaspora. And she talks with Dra. Sara Mata y Dr. Joel Perez, who were the co-chairs for the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community when they changed the name to include the term Latinx. Remember, mi gente, terminology
Oct 5, 2020 • 1:02:05
Lifting as We Climb
Mentoring: an elusive concept that can be difficult to define and, at times, difficult to engage with someone. There are times when we do not know how to approach someone for mentorship/femtorship/guidance, and then there are times we do not even realize we are being mentored! La Profesora talks with Dr. David Perez II and future Dra. Juana Osorio about how they define mentorship/femtorship/guidance, the challenges they have experienced as gente who are mentored and who mentor, and how we can th
Sep 21, 2020 • 1:15:59
Migration is Beautiful
La Profesora talks with Dra. Yolanda Valencia and future Dr. Christian Bello Escobar about their journeys to the U.S. and their early years working in a slaughterhouse and in janitorial services, respectively. Both experiences have informed their research and practice in extraordinary ways, one as a feminist human geographer and for another the assistant director for the College Assistance Migrant Program in northwest Georgia. Their stories should inspire all of us to fight for the rights of all
Sep 7, 2020 • 1:03:17
Always Begin with Love
La Profesora kicks off Season 3 with conversations about finding love in a place like academia and what it means to navigate higher education as dual career couples. Guests Fabiola Mora and Dora Frias talk about being models of possibility, especially for queer Latinx communities. They also share important advice about setting boundaries regarding work so they can be present at home. Guests Dra. Susana Hernandez and Dr. Ignacio Hernandez share their journeys to becoming faculty and leaders both
Aug 24, 2020 • 1:06:57
Sneak Peak: Cultivating Excelencia Podcast!
While La Profesora works on Season 3, here's a sneak peak into an exciting collaboration between the national organization, Excelencia in Education and Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, associate professor at the University of Maryland, College Park! Cultivating Excelencia is a limited series podcast showcasing the colleges, universities, and community organizations that are accelerating Latinx/a/o student success in higher education. Starting September 2nd, we will feature the 2019 Examples of Excelen
Aug 2, 2020 • 4:48
Latina Sister-Scholars Revisited
For our final episode of Season 2, we offer this cross-over with the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, showcasing La Profesora y Dras. Judy Marquez Kiyama y Susana Muñoz. Nestor Melendez moderates. Poet Juan Felipe Herrera is featured.
May 25, 2020 • 53:47
Part III: A Passion Project (MALES)
La Profesora talks with Dr. Victor Saenz about turning his passion project into award-winning scholarship & practice focusing on educational achievement for boys and men of color, especially Latinos. Poet Kay Ulanday Barrett is featured.
May 11, 2020 • 49:58
Part II: The Solar 6
La Profesora talks with Dallas ISD Principal of the Year, Dra. Nancy Bernardino about the founding of Solar Preparatory School for Girls and her advocacy for African American and Latinx/a/o children. This is Part II in a series on gender. Poet MS McDonough is featured.
May 4, 2020 • 42:50
Part I: The Embodiment of Gender
La Profesora talks with Dr. Francisco Galarte about the embodiment of gender in transgender and Chicanx/Latinx studies. This is the first part of a 3-part series on gender in Latinx/a/o communities. Poet Joshua Jennifer Espinosa is featured.
Apr 27, 2020 • 36:28
In Truth & Service: Our Gente at Howard University
La Profesora talks with Dr. Cristóbal Rodríguez and future Doctora Natalie Muñoz about how they serve Black and Brown students at Howard University, a Historically Black University. Poet Ross Gay is featured.
Apr 13, 2020 • 1:05:09
We Count!
La Profesora talks with Dra. Vanessa Sansone and Dr. Mark H. Lopez about the importance of population studies in ensuring that we are distributing resources and support in equitable ways to serve nuestra comunidad. Poet Luis J. Rodriguez is featured.
Mar 31, 2020 • 1:31:40
Sana, Sana
La Profesora talks with Dr. Juan Guardia y Dra. Marissa Vasquez about remaining true to our wellbeing in the midst of caring for family and maintaining our careers. Poet Waheed is featured. Sending love into our world that we commit to caring for ourselves, our families, and our communities as we face the Coronavirus pandemic.
Mar 17, 2020 • 1:17:43
Close to Home
La Profesora talks with Dra. Kristan Venegas and Andrew Gonzalez about what home means to them and how they have managed their careers staying close to home with (chosen) family. Poet Eva Sierra is featured. This episode is dedicated to the memory and legacy of Andrew Gonzalez, who served the University of New Mexico and the NASPA Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community with dignity and grace (QDP).
Mar 3, 2020 • 1:00:07
Abrazando al Éxito: The VPSAs
La Profesora talks with two incredible leaders in higher education, Dr. Sal Mena y Dra. Maggie De La Teja, about their journeys to the Vice President of Student Affairs role. Poet Araceli Montaño is featured.
Feb 18, 2020 • 1:09:07
Beyond the HSI Designation
La Profesora talks with Dra. Gina Garcia and Dr. Andrés Castro Samayoa about pressing against the boundaries of the Hispanic-Serving Institution designation. Poet Lee Maracle is featured.
Feb 3, 2020 • 1:17:13
Season 1 and DONE!
La Profesora celebrates the first season of Latinx Intelligentsia with folx who cultivate the uplift for Latinx/a/o communities. She talks with Dr. William Liu, Dr. Cameron Beatty, and Dr. Amanda Tachine about what the podcast has meant for them. Poet Mary Oliver is featured.
Dec 17, 2019 • 54:50
Started in Community College Now Leading in Policy & Practice
La Profesora talks with 2 proud community college graduates, Dra. Lorelle Espinosa & U.S. Marine Corps Veteran John Lira, about their journeys to advocacy & leadership in public policy and practice. Poet José Olivarez is featured. PLUS Bonus Content!
Dec 2, 2019 • 1:15:56
Taking a Chance: Beyond the Brick and Mortar
La Profesora talks about the many paths that led Dra. Sofia Pertuz and Dr. José Luis Santos to leave the formal structures of higher education and move into spaces that work with higher education: The JED Foundation & 2U, Inc. Poet Vickie Vértiz is featured.
Nov 19, 2019 • 1:18:56
Weaving the Personal with The Work
La Profesora talks with Dra. Rebeca Burciaga & Dr. Enrique Alemán, tejedores who weave creativity and lived experience into a documentary and into woven art. Both artforms are a tribute to their parents and their ancestors. Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, Sarah Gonzales showcases an original poem inspired by the episode.
Nov 4, 2019 • 56:18
The Next Generation
La Profesora draws inspiration from the Next Generation of Student Affairs practitioners. Natasha Piñeiros, Rosemary Ferreira, Jeffrey Ramos, and Fernando Lopez share their journeys through the student affairs and higher education master's programs and their hopes for creating meaningful opportunities for college students. U.S. Poet Laureate, Joy Harjo, is featured.
Oct 21, 2019 • 1:12:00
Nuestra Vida on the Tenure-Track
La Profesora talks with tenured and early career faculty about disrupting the "publish or perish" mantra in academe, and finding meaning in serving nuestra comunidad. Poet Nikky Finney is featured.
Oct 8, 2019 • 1:10:38
Scholar Activism
Is scholar-activism possible in higher education? La Profesora talks with Dra. Susana Muñoz and Dr. Nolan Cabrera about how to engage in scholar-activism with intention and humility. Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, Sarah Gonzales, shares a poem from Teré Fowler-Chapman entitled "BWCOIWWHD".
Sep 23, 2019 • 52:09
First Impressions
La Profesora talks with Sistah-Scholars Susana Munoz and Liliana Garces about the "small world" of higher education and how they first met. Poet-in-Residence and in Resistencia, Sarah Gonzales, shares a haiku from Sonia Sanchez entitled "Haiku [For You]".
Sep 9, 2019 • 57:01