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Tell us about your research project and why it is important to you.
My research focuses on the respect that balances the social, academic, and professional relationships between students at the University of Texas at El Paso and their professors in the classroom. The classroom becomes an alchemy laboratory that transforms, shapes, and enriches through the transfer of knowledge and the value of experiences.
My research is important because I want to see more professionals with ethical and critical values working in collaboration with their communities. I am also interested in seeing more professionals satisfied with themselves and embracing their identities.
Have you presented or published your research anywhere? Tell us about the experience.
I have presented abstracts and topics related to my research at the Conference on College Composition & Communication and The Humanities Collaborative, online and in person. These experiences have allowed me to meet other researchers with very diverse research topics and have also motivated me to continue researching when I receive proposals, ideas, constructive criticism, and congratulations. I have always been a curious person, and thanks to my presentations, I am able to generate more content for my research or even for alternative projects.
What would you say is something interesting about your area of study that most people do not know?
An interesting thing… Before we label ourselves and separate ourselves into various types of people, we are human beings with varied experiences, feelings, imagination, dreams, and perspectives that shape our attitudes and behavior toward other people and within our societies. So, my area of study adds value to these components for the benefit of human progress and research. In other words, how are you going to do research if you have problems at home with your family? How are you going to write that scientific paper if your own thoughts keep distracting you? How are you going to collaborate with other people if they don't understand your ideas? Questions like this affect everyone, and therefore also affect their work. And in rhetoric and composition, we address these issues in collaboration with any area of study.
Tell us about your academic or professional collaborations with Mexico.
For six years I worked as an assistant in various academic projects at the Colegio de Postgraduados, Campus Puebla. I collaborated on projects related to the genetic conservation of native corn, chili peppers, and beans. I also worked on projects related to social behaviors and alternative tourism in rural communities in Puebla, Tlaxcala, Veracruz, the State of Mexico, and Oaxaca.
What drew you to Texas and UT El Paso?
After my experiences in rural areas in Mexico, I decided to update and extend my knowledge of communications, since I realized that on many occasions we did not speak the same language or understand many ideas, even though those ideas were very similar. So, I decided to join The University of Texas at El Paso because I found support for my research and creative ideas from my advisors, Dr. Isabel Baca and Dr. Lauren Rosenberg. I was also motivated by the closeness that the university has with the Mexican community through its academics and students.
What have been some good things you did not expect from Texas or UT El Paso?
English is my second language, so sometimes I did not understand certain legal or academic requirements correctly. Therefore, the fact that many people speak Spanish at the university is a great help. Nor did I expect all the academic support that we receive throughout our research or the myriad of events that inspire us to continue. Finally, I did not expect the deep cultural connection that the university has with Mexico; it is to be appreciated.
What have been the biggest challenges of studying at UT El Paso and living in the United States?
The challenges began when I stared taking classes; I did not understand some ideas and had no experience. It was especially difficult when I was asked to express personal ideas in class and homework, since I couldn't. My previous experience was of a rigid environment, of silence and linguistic rules. Another challenge was making personal and academic connections. In my case, I already had experience being a social person, but I have noticed that not all of us can do it, and loneliness can affect us to a great extent. My last challenge was, and still is, maintaining my mental, physical, and financial health. I try to dedicate time to my body, to my diet, and to having fun.
How has the support of ConTex and Conahcyt impacted you?
Thanks to their support I have been able to focus more on my work without having to worry about paying rent and other expenses that caused me anguish, stress, and worry every month. I have stopped working with a loud and heavy laptop that was jeopardizing my research. I have been able to repay a debt to my parents and invest more in books that I need for my work.
What kind of work do you hope to do in the future? How do you hope your research will benefit people in the United States and Mexico?
I hope to become a research professor at a university, since I regularly come across personal, social, academic, and professional situations that require attention in the area of rhetoric and composition. Above all, I would like rhetoric to be promoted much more in Mexico. On the other hand, if we talk about benefits for the United States and Mexico, my research promotes mutual respect and care for the environment, interpersonal appreciation of ideas and collaboration, as well as compassion, tolerance, honesty, and humility in those future professionals who take care of our needs and help solve our problems.
What advice would you give to other Mexican students who are considering studying in Texas?
Texas, in addition to being large, has a lot of diversity in its people, its activities, its cities, and its ideas. There is always something to discover. I have been fortunate to meet so many people who have given me their support and to whom I will always be grateful, mainly at my university. We have to go out into the world for things to happen to us, and in Texas, a lot happens all the time. Come to Texas, friend. It's cool!
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