Nadia Yolanda Alvarez Mexia
- Assistant Professor of Practice
- Assistant Director, Learning Development and Community Involvement
- Assistant Professor of Practice, Teaching/Learning and Sociocultural Studies
- (520) 621-6901
- SLONAKER HOUSE, Rm. 107
- TUCSON, AZ 85721-0006
- nalvarez@arizona.edu
Biography
Dr. Nadia Alvarez Mexia was born and raised in Mexico. Nadia serves as an Assistant Professor of Practice and Director of Transborder Education Initiatives in the W.A. Franke Honors College and College of Education. She is an award-winning educator that has devoted her professional and teaching career to creating safe learning spaces and remarkable academic experiences that have brought recognition from the University of Arizona, as well as from NAFSA in the U.S. and institutions of higher education in Mexico. Nadia has an interdisciplinary background, with Information Systems bachelor’s and master’s degrees from Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (ITESM). She also has her Ph.D. in Teaching & Teacher Education with a minor in Language, Reading & Culture in the UArizona from which she received the Erasmus Circle Award 2006.
In 2018, Nadia was recognized with the Edith Sayre Auslander Established Visionary Award and the Human Relations Commission of the City of Tucson Recognition. She has different publications including co-author of the chapter book “Climbing Uphill” in Amplified Voices, Intersectional Identities: Volume 2. Recently, Nadia led a four-member grant recipient team and obtained the IDEAS (Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Students) grant from the U.S. Department of State’s Capacity Building Program for U.S. Study Abroad. This grant will expand the institution’s Navigating Education in Borderlands Program (NEBP), a program through which UArizona students will build cultural competencies and learn about the history, people, and culture from the intersecting borderlands area where UArizona resides. She is one of the UArizona Hispanic Serving Institution Fellows 2018-2019 and Academic Leadership Institute Fellows 2020-2021.
Before joining the UA, Nadia worked for a decade in Mexico’s higher education system as a professor, mentor, and administrator within the ITESM Campus Monterrey and Mazatlán and other higher education institutions.
Degrees
- Ph.D. Teaching &Teacher Education
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona, United States
- Práctica Docente associated with the Use of Enciclomedia
- M.S. Information Technology Management
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Monterrey, Mexico
- “Critical Factors to Minimize Resistance to Change” (Spanish)
- B.S. Information System Engineering
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Mazatlan, Mexico
Work Experience
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2021 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2021 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2019 - Ongoing)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2019 - 2021)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2015 - 2019)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2014 - 2015)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2013 - 2014)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2011 - 2013)
- Colegio Rex (K-12 school) (2011 - 2012)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2006 - 2010)
- University of Arizona, Tucson, Arizona (2006)
- Autonomous University of Durango, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México (2004 - 2005)
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (2004)
- Autonomous University of Durango, Mazatlán, Sinaloa, México (2004)
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (2001 - 2004)
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (2000)
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (1998 - 2000)
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (1998)
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education (1997)
Awards
- Scholarship for bachelor’s degree
- Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education, Campus Mazatlan, Fall 1993
- Orgullo Award, Profiles of Success
- Valle del Sol, Fall 2024
- Women of Impact 2024
- Research, Innovation & Impact (RII), University of Arizona, Fall 2024
- CIRLT Posdoc Mentor
- CIRTL, University of Arizona, Spring 2024
- IDEAS travel funds
- IDEAS (Increase & Diversify Study Abroad for U.S. Students), U.S. Department of the State, Fall 2022
- University of Guanajuato (UG) Internationalization Merit Award 2022
- University of Guanajuato, Fall 2022
- Appoint as Mexicana Chida for the Book
- Book: “Mexicanas Chidas para Niñas Chidísimas” Vol. 2 https://www.mexicanaschidas.mx/, Fall 2021
- Distinguished Mexican Woman 2021
- Model United Nations (MUN)-Chapter Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico, Fall 2021
- Newspaper Article
- Arizona Daily Star (La Estrella de Tucson) “Cultivator of Education: Tucson Woman opens door to learning for migrant students.” Language: Spanish and English, Fall 2021
- Appoint as the Title Honoree of the First-Gen Resiliency Fund
- Changemaker Foundation, Fall 2020
- Academic Leadership Institute (ALI) Fellow
- University of Arizona, Summer 2020
- Woman of Change 2020
- Secretariat of Education and Culture (SEC) and GRAMEEN de la Frontera, Spring 2020
- Trajectory Award 2019: Outstanding Contributions to Higher Education and its Internationalization
- Autonomous University of Ciudad Juárez (UACJ) and Council of Sciences and Technology (CONACyT), Fall 2019
- Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Fellow (first cohort)
- HSI Initiatives, UArizona, Fall 2018
- Edith Sayre Auslander Established Visionary Award 2018
- Commission on the Status of Women (CSW), UArizona, Spring 2018
- Human Relations Commission Recognition 2018
- City of Tucson, Spring 2018
- Senator Paul Simon Spotlight Award 2012
- NAFSA: Association of International Educators, Spring 2012
- Peter W. Likins Inclusive Excellence Teamwork Award 2007
- UArizona, Summer 2008
- Travel Award 2007
- College of Education, UArizona, Fall 2007
- Erasmus Circle Award: Category Graduate Student 2006
- College of Education, UArizona, Fall 2006
- Council of Sciences and Technology (CONACyT) Scholarship (2006-2010)
- Mexican Council of Sciences and Technology (CONACyT), Spring 2006
Interests
Research
Intercultural and Global Education, Culturally Sustaining/Revitalizing Pedagogy, Multicultural identities and education, Diversity Intersectionality in Higher Education, International and Immigrant faculty and students, Higher Education & Community, Transborder Education
Teaching
Intercultural and Global Education, Multicultural Education, Diversity Intersectionality in Higher Education, Global Skills, Community Development, Borderlands conceptualization
Courses
2024-25 Courses
-
Leadership:Building Community
HNRS 335 (Spring 2025) -
Special Topics in Humanities
HNRS 195J (Spring 2025) -
Global Diversity & Voices
HNRS 295G (Fall 2024) -
Honors Preceptorship
HNRS 391H (Fall 2024) -
Ignite Proseminar
HNRS 321 (Fall 2024)
2023-24 Courses
-
Leadership:Building Community
HNRS 335 (Spring 2024) -
Special Topics in Humanities
HNRS 195J (Spring 2024) -
Global Diversity
HNRS 295G (Fall 2023) -
Ignite Proseminar
HNRS 321 (Fall 2023)
2022-23 Courses
-
Ignite Proseminar
HNRS 321 (Spring 2023) -
Leadership:Building Community
HNRS 335 (Spring 2023) -
Global Diversity
HNRS 295G (Fall 2022)
2021-22 Courses
-
Honors Internship
HNRS 393H (Summer I 2022) -
Special Topics in Humanities
HNRS 195J (Spring 2022)
2020-21 Courses
-
Succeeding: Global Wildcat II
HED 102B (Spring 2021)
Scholarly Contributions
Chapters
- Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Rodriguez, S., & Mendoza-Reis, N. (2023).
The Monarch Route
. In Baila Conmigo: Mentoring Latinas as School leaders(pp 22-27). ICPEL Publications.More infoThe book sheds light to the common trajectory that Latinas encounter in school organizations. The narratives of Latinas who enter school systems where the leadership is predominantly White has been evaluated (Rodriguez, 2014, Owens & Harris, 2021). The research indicates that on the onset of her career, the Latina is excited and feels welcomed in her new workplace. This is known as the honeymoon period. However, after a period the climate of white dominant spaces causes her to feel isolated and not heard. Her experiences of recurring microaggressions and structural barriers can impact her self-efficacy. Her racial identity is misunderstood in the context of her leadership standpoint which collides with White-stream perceptions, thus, resulting in the lack of promotion opportunities for Latinas. This book identifies the unique mentoring needs of Latina leaders and provides tools for supporting our hermanas so they can occupy school leadership roles while remaining true to their roots. - Alvarez Mexia, N., López Fuentes, R., Medina Morales, G., Aquino Zuñiga, S. P., & Lopes Reis, M. (2021).
TecNM-Cananea: Una actitud responsiva, educativa y tecnológica en tiempos de COVID-19
. In La Tecnología Educativa en Tiempos de Pandemia(pp 129-150). Gradus Editora & Universidad Juárez Autónoma de Tabasco. - Alvarez Mexia, N., & Arroyo Pérez, A. (2020).
Climbing Uphill
. In Amplified Voices, Intersecting Identities: Volume 2. First-Gen PhDs Navigating Institutional Power in Early Careers(pp 157-163). Brill l Sense.
Presentations
- Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2024, October).
Platicando en Familia
. College Academy for Parents. Tucson, AZ. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Fleck, A., & Walter, K. (2024, October).
HSI-Honors Group at NCHC
. 59th National Collegiate Honors Council. Kansas City, MO. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Meeks, C., & Hernandez Holm, A. (2024, April).
Lifting as We Climb: Mentorship for Women in Academia
. A Woman's Worth: Advancing and Empowering Symposium. Tucson, AZ: The Commission on the Status of Women (CSW). - Alvarez Mexia, N. (2022).
A Transborder Journey in Academia: Successful and Challenging Experiences
. Arizona Senior Academy. Tucson, AZ: Arizona Senior Academy. - Alvarez Mexia, N. (2023).
Legado y Liderazgo
. Por el Poder de Ser Ellas. Phonenix, Arizona. - Alvarez Mexia, N. (2023).
Platicando en Familia
. College Academy for Parents. Tucson, Arizona. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2023).
Sustainable and Transformative Study Abroad Program serving Diverse Student
. Widener-UNA Sustainability Symposium. San Jose, Costa Rica.
Populations - Alvarez Mexia, N., & Arroyo, A. (2023).
Teaching from a Culturally Responsive Lens
. President’s Postdoctoral Fellows, University of Arizona. Tucson, AZ. - Alvarez Mexia, N., Rodriguez, S., & Mendoza-Reis, N. (2023).
Book Presentation
. 37th Annual Conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU). Chicago, Illinois.
Baila Conmigo: Mentoring Latinas as School Leaders - Alvarez Mexia, N., Romero, A., & Bridges, A. J. (2023).
If you had an hour with a Latine University Administrator, what would you ask?
. National Latinx Psychological Association (NLPA). Chicago, Illinois. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2022).
Mi cultura me conecta con el mundo
. International Forum. Guanajuato, Mexico: Universidad de Guanajuato. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2022, February).
Great IDEAS: Diversifying Study Abroad
. APPLAC: Association of Academic Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean. Tucson, AZ. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Cortez, N., & Rosales Yeomans, N. (2022, October).
Colaboraciones Transfronterizas en Iniciativas Educativas
. Centering Servingness Seminar, Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Initiatives and Faculty Affairs. Tucson, AZ. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Curtis, M., Castellan, Y., & Gailey, R. (2022, May).
Exploring IDEAS of Social Justice Through Study Abroad
. NAFSA: Association of International Educators Conference 2022. Denver, Colorado: NAFSA. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Espiritu, K., & Calhoun, J. (2022, February).
Making Internationalization Matter Through EDI Funding, Partnerships, and Programming
. AIEA: Leaders in International Higher Education. New Orleans, Lousiana. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Reyes, I., Kralovec, E., & Falcon, V. (2022, February).
Borderlands Education Center in the UArizona: Vision and Initiatives
. APPLAC: Association of Academic Programs in Latin America and the Caribbean.
Others
- Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2024, January). Voices of the Borderlands Course .
- Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., & Brown, A. (2024, November).
Center for the Integration of Research, Teaching and Learning (CIRTL) co-teaching orientation
. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Arroyo, A., & Robles, P. (2024, October).
Pioneers of Change: Shaping the Future Together
. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Barnes, J., Vedantam, G., Su, J., & Romero, L. (2024, November). Panel: Women of Impact (WOI) 2024.
- Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Silva, K., Arroyo, A., & Hennessey, N. (2024, January). Panel: UA HSI Ambassadors.
- Alvarez Mexia, N., D'Orazio, M., Grijalva, L., Rogge-Obando, K., & Vazquez, J. (2023, Octubre).
Panel Undergraduate Research Opportunities
. - Alvarez Mexia, N., Mojardín, M. J., Arroyo, A., & Alvarado, B. (2023, October).
Panel: Experiencias de Investigación e Interculturalidad
. - Alvarez Mexia, N., Reyes, I., Cortez, N., & Aragón Pérez, R. (2023, May).
Panel: Education and Migrant Student Population
. Secretariat of Education and Culture (SEC) at the Sonora State Government. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2022, April).
Educational Reflections: Transformational Thinking
. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y. (2023, June).
Women Participation and Professional Pathways
. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., & Madrid, P. (2022, January).
Panel: Mexicanas Chidas in Sonora
. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Reyes, I., Kralovec, E., & Falcon, V. (2022, march).
Migration and Internationalization of Higher Education
. - Alvarez Mexia, N. Y., Franco, M., Magaña, M., Velasco, M., Barceló, R., & Meeks, C. (2021, September).
A Mosaic of Identities: A Celebration of Hispanic and Latinx Heritage
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