The NCTE Latinx Caucus is pleased to announce that Melisa Garcia, a PhD candidate at University of New Mexico has been selected to be the recipient of the 2017 Nuestra Gente Award for research that highlights issues and strategies related to enhancing the education of culturally and linguistically diverse students.
The Nuestra Gente Award was established in 2015 by the NCTE Latinx Caucus with special help from caucus member Isabel Baca, Associate Professor at the University of Texas at El Paso, and sponsored by Laura Muñoz, CEO S-mart. This award honors and celebrates a Latinx researcher whose work represents the cultural and linguistic diversity of this nation, if not our globe, and thus affirm and explore, examine and pay unique attention to historically underrepresented populations—specifically Latinx. The Nuestra Gente Award will be presented annually.
Melisa Garcia will receive $500 to help cover the cost of registration and travel to the NCTE Convention or the Conference on College Composition and Communication. In addition, Garcia will be recognized at one of the annual Latinx Caucus meetings. Garcia’s research demonstrates a loving and celebratory approach to creating a more diversified notion of the Central American immigrant. She explores their voices through stories, and as a daughter of Central American immigrant parents, she aims to share their reasons for leaving, their memories, and lives. (Press Release from Latinx Caucus Committee)
