QVOfallwinter2016

Chicano Education Program

Q-VO NEWSLETTER Fall/Winter 2016

Warm Winter Greetings,

I enthusiastically arrived at Eastern Washington University nearly 18 months ago diligently focused on contributing to the development of the Chicano Education Program as a nationally reputable program. This task involved critically assessing the Program’s mission, goals, values, curriculum, course offerings, student, staff and faculty Program support services, but most importantly, learning about the status of the Chicana/Chicano community. The overall status of any academic community is largely indicative of recruitment and retention efforts via student numbers. The CEP’s recruitment and retention rates are reflected in the number of students who minor in Chicana/Chicano Studies and/or engage with the Program academically, culturally and/or socially. The CEP continues to sponsor the annual Welcome Back Reception, the Izakalli Calmeca Student Conference, Cinco de Mayo, and the Chican@/Mexican@/Latin@ graduation. New events such as the monthly Community Gatherings bring students, faculty, and staff together to network over a free lunch! Women and undocu-‐queer voices have been incorporated in annual events thus illuminating the diversity of our community. New courses such as “Food and Culture” and “Chicana Feminism” provide our students with critical understandings of race, gender, culture and sexuality. Our efforts in building safe, welcoming and productive academic spaces will include informational workshops on declaring major and minor degrees, advising and financial aid resources, writing and computer workshops, and student rights. In addition to providing informational workshops the Chicano Education Program will be providing important student

Director’s Message

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Integer

Q-VO Fall/Winter Newsletter 2016

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Chicano Studies Classes for Spring Quarter CHST 101 – Intro to Chicano/a Culture – Dr. Nydia Martinez CHST 300 – Survey of Chicano/a Literature - Dr. Norma Cardenas CHST 320 – Chicano – Latino Politics in America – Dr. Martin Meraz Garcia

services, the CEP will form a new Chicana/Chicano Studies Student Advisory Council with representatives from all Chican@/Mexican@ EWU student groups. These groups will provide student perspectives in how the CEP can best meet student needs and those of the larger community. Finally, we are in the process of reinstating the Chicana/Chicano Student Alumni Association and look forward to major events during the 2016 spring and early summer. Please stay posted regarding our courses and events. And, feel free to stop by the CEP at your convenience to visit and chat with faculty and staff. We look forward and invite everyone to take part in moving forward as a community toward building strong, productive and enjoyable working relationships! En Solidaridad, Profa Facio

Artist: Mario Torero


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Chicano Education Program Welcome Back

The Chicano Education Program hosted their annual Welcome Back reception for the EWU community in October, where students gathered to celebrate the beginning of the 2015-‐2016 academic year. The event allowed old friends to come together as well as meet new students on campus. The CAMP cohort for academic year 2015-‐16 was introduced and welcomed to the EWU campus and CEP family. Mariachi Las Aguilas de EWU provided entertainment while those in attendance enjoyed food catered by EWU. Chican@/Latin@ based student clubs and organizations provided information about their respective groups’ mission and activities. The array of colorful tabling allowed new students to learn about different organizations and encouraged all students to get involved with Chican@/Latina@ student groups while hat EWU. CEP and CAMP staff and faculty were introduced including Dr. Nydia Martinez, hired this year as a new faculty member with a joint appointment in Chicana/Chicano Studies and History. Dr. Martinez teaches courses for Chicana/Chicano Studies and the History department. The Welcome Back Event provides a great opportunity to meet new friends, join student organizations, academically and socially prepare for the new year and become a Chicana/Chicano Studies Minor! We extend a tremendous gesture of appreciation to Stacey Reece from S.A.I.L. Thank you so much Stacey!


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Dr. Nydia Martinez joined EWU in the fall of 2015 and is teaching courses in Chicana/Chicano Studies and History.

Her research interests and teaching include Chicana/o History, 20th Century Mexican History, Latin American History, social movements, transnational history, gender, and borderlands history.

Faculty Spotlight

Dr. Martinez’s bilingual and bicultural background and community involvement with Latina/o students and their families, have deeply informed her multidisciplinary research interests, which focuses on Mexican and Chicana/o solidarity movements in the 1960s and 1970s. She describes her teaching as follows;

“My approach to teaching history and advising students have a general goal: create an atmosphere of student engagement to promote critical thinking skills in recognition of

our global society. This approach has emanated from my experience teaching, collaborating, and guiding diverse groups of students that include returning

professionals, first generation college students, non-‐history majors, traditional students, advance history majors, underrepresented

communities, and international students. Therefore, awareness and adaptability to the unique dynamics of each class are central principles for me to create a

good learning environment.”

We at the CEP are truly excited about Dr. Martinez’s appointment to the Program, and look forward to many seasons of collegiality, productivity and friendship.

Bienvenida Profesora Martinez!


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M.E.Ch.A Celebrates Dia de Los Muertos M.E.Ch.A. sponsored the annual Dia De Los Muertos celebration with the EWU Community by providing food, entertainment, and a presentation on the meaning of the holiday to help spread the cultural traditions in our culture. Organizations and departments were asked to display an altar of those who have passed on to help remember our loved ones. The event was well attended with students, faculty, staff, and family members enjoying food together and the entertainment. El Balét Folklorico performed to the enjoyment of all. Mariachi Las Aguilas also performed and were excited to debut their new trajes de mariachi! There were activities for the kids both young and old, such as face painting and the breaking of a piñata. Gracias a los miembros de M.E.Ch.A!


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Maecenas purus

CEP Community Gatherings

The Chicano Studies faculty will be attending the National Association for Chicana/o Studies National Conference in Denver this upcoming April 2016.

Chicana/o Power represents the essence and foundation of our discipline. Through disciplinary self-reflection, we merge theory and practice to create a space where our scholarship and social engagement challenges, transforms and repudiates dominant power structures.

As the mainstream escalates their rhetoric and attacks on Chicana/o, immigrant, LGBTQ, and indigenous communities and environments, we say, ¡Ya Basta! NACCS must continue to push the boundaries of emancipatory scholarship and activism that combats all forms of systemic structural violence. We must continue to be a safe, yet contested space – de respeto – where we can reflect, re-envision and recommit as students, teachers, scholars, and activists and as members of multiple communities. Our aim is to continue to transform our energies to tap our collective power to ignite a new era of equity through social justice work.

The Chicano Education Program continued its mission and tradition of providing a gathering space as well as food for those wanting to come together as a community. When we come together as a community it allows us to share in our experiences and feel a sense of belonging that can be difficult when you are away from home. Each gathering this past quarter was well attended by over 60 people who gathered to enjoy each other’s company, while getting to know one another. Tacos de pollo were served and were a big hit, and before the holiday break, we ordered tamales for all to enjoy. Continue to look for information on social media as well as electronic means for our upcoming events!

National Association for Chicana/o Studies National

Conference


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Club Spotlight – Muxeristas Nopaleras

A group of four muxeres (women) here at Eastern Washington University felt compelled to create Muxeristas Nopaleras. Muxeristas Nopaleras was created with the intention to bring visibility to women of color and in particular self-identifying women who are Chicanas, Latinas, Afro-Latinas, Native American and Indigenous women to reclaim who they are and their space through education and community leadership. This organization is founded on principles of Chicana Feminism in order to examine the historical, societal, political, and economic situations of Latinas in the United States and Latin America.

“Being a muxerista is about reclaiming and validating yourself as a Chicana.” – Jocelyn Núñez (Political Science and International Affairs Major)

Being a new organization on campus has been a rewarding experience. With the help of the Chican@ Education Program and Eastern Washington University we were able to attend M.A.L.C.S (Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social) in Albuquerque, New Mexico. MALCS was one of the most transformative experiences within our academic career. We were able to network in this conference with women who have paved the way for younger Chicanas. We hope that we can continue to attend conferences such as MALCS. If you are interested to know more about Muxeristas Nopaleras please feel free to stop by the Chican@ Education Program and contact: Jocelyn Núñez via E-mail: [email protected]

MALCS Experience Quotes:

“While I was able to grasp new concepts, the most important thing that I learned was the fact that si se puede, it can be done. Often times as a woman of color it is hard to see your own potential, because growing up you never see people, much less women, who are like you that you can aspire to.” – Giselle Gudino (Race and Culture Studies Major)

“Weaving the skills and knowledge for future generations, to further an environment where there is more access to resources for women of color.” – Yesenia Lazaro (Masters in Public Administration)

“MALCS was an incredible experience. The women who attended the conference represented the intersection of our bodies, identities, our work, culture, land, research, art, and activism.” – Alma Ramos (Psychology Major)

“For once, I finally felt like my work was validated and that I do have what it takes to go to graduate school.” – Jessica Ochoa (McNair scholar and Anthropology Major)


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At the annual Thanksgiving luncheon this November, Jennifer Nuñez was one of the staff recognized for celebrating an anniversary of working at EWU. Jennifer has spent the last 10 years working for the Chicano Education Program and now the College Assistant Migrant Program, serving numerous students in various capacities. Felicidades Jennifer, we appreciate your dedication and service to the CEP and CAMP students!

Congratulations Jennifer!

CEP Recruiting Students to spend part of their summer studying in Cuba! Dr. Facio will be taking a group of students this summer to study in Havana, Cuba. We just had our first informational meeting for those that want to attend. It should be an AMAZING experience!

Dr. Facio would like to invite any students who would like to serve on the CEP Advisory Council to contact her or Adrian Reyes in the CEP office. The advisory council will help to inform CEP staff and faculty of future projects and curriculum suggestions as CEP moves forward in serving the students of EWU. We would like a member from each of the Latino based organizations on campus , so if you are a member of one of these organizations please contact us for more information Please call or stop by the Chicano Education Program in Monroe Hall 203., or call 509-‐359-‐2404.

Call for Student Volunteers for Brand New CEP Advisory Council!

If you are interested in receiving more information on the Chicano Education Program or wish to donate to the scholarship fund, please complete the form below and send it to:

Eastern Washington University Chicano Education Program

203 Monroe Hall Cheney, WA 99004

Name:_______________________________________ Address:_____________________________________ City:________________________ State:___________ Email:_______________________ Phone:__________

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QVOfallwinter2016