Xavier Ramon Segura

Biography

Professor Xavier R. Segura is an Assistant Professor of Practice in the School of Government and Public Policy at the University of Arizona, where he is widely recognized for his exemplary contributions to teaching, scholarship, and service. A proud UArizona alumnus and first-generation college graduate (FirstCat) from the Sunnyside and South Tucson community, Professor Segura exemplifies the transformative power of public higher education. His career reflects an unwavering commitment to equity, student empowerment, and social justice.

Professor Segura teaches a wide array of courses, including Criminal Justice Administration, Criminal Justice Ethics, Law, and Special Topics in Law and Underrepresented Populations. His classrooms are known for being intellectually rigorous, inclusive, and socially responsive—spaces that challenge students to critically examine the structural complexities of justice and the legal system. His pedagogical approach is grounded in anti-racist and community-centered principles, preparing the next generation of legal and policy leaders with both critical insight and ethical grounding.

His research is centered on the lived experiences of historically marginalized and underrepresented populations, with particular attention to systemic inequities at the intersection of race, gender, law, ethics, and public policy. His scholarship transcends disciplinary boundaries, actively engaging with legal advocacy, public policy reform, and community-based research to inform and shape meaningful, equity-driven solutions to pressing societal issues.

Beyond the classroom and research, Professor Segura is a dedicated institutional leader and mentor. He collaborates extensively with federal, state, and local law enforcement agencies, serves as a mentor to both student veterans and W.A. Franke Honors College students, and regularly supervises undergraduate honors theses. He is a Distinguished Faculty Fellow with the Writing Across the Curriculum program and an appointed Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) Ambassador, roles that underscore his leadership in advancing academic excellence, linguistic justice, and inclusive curriculum design.

Professor Segura’s contributions have been recognized through numerous honors, including the 2022 Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award, formal commendations from the City of Tucson, and recognition from the United States Army. These accolades reflect not only his professional excellence but also his profound and enduring impact on students, institutions, and the communities he serves. His work continues to bridge academia and action, shaping a more just, informed, and inclusive future.

Awards

• Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives (HSI Ambassador)
• University of Arizona; Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, Fall 2024
• UArizona UCATT Distinguished Writing Across Curricula Faculty Fellow
• UCATT; University of Arizona, Fall 2024
• Culturally Responsive Curriculum Development Institute (CRCDI) Participant
• University of Arizona; Faculty Affairs, Summer 2024
• Designer Appointment
• Education Design Lab; Designer, Spring 2024 (Award Nominee)
• FBI Citizen’s Academy Participant
• Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Spring 2024
• Leadership in DEI Award
• Pima Community College, Spring 2024
• Nominee for W.A. Franke Academy of Scholars
• University of Arizona W.A. Franke Honors College, Spring 2024 (Award Nominee)
• Board of Governors Nominee
• Sunnyside Unified School District, Fall 2023 (Award Nominee)
• HSI Ambassador
• UArizona Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, Fall 2023
• Scholars of Color Achievement Award
• Scholars of Color Foundation, Fall 2023
• United States Library of Congress; Veteran Heritage Project
• United States Library of Congress, Fall 2023 (Award Nominee)
• Federal Bureau of Investigation Citizen Academy Awardee
• Federal Bureau of Investigation, Spring 2023 (Award Finalist)
• Invitation to Editorial Board of Journal of Political Science & Public Opinion
• ournal of Political Science & Public Opinion, Spring 2023
• LPNKC Board & Coalition Member; Empowering the Community and Youth
• Liberty Partnership Kino Neighborhoods Council, Spring 2023
• Scholars of Color Awardee & Recipient
• Scholars of Color, Spring 2023
• 2022-2023 Pima Community College’s Leadership in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Award Recipient
• Pima Community College, Fall 2022
• Appointment to Board of Directors for Operation Headstrong
• Operation Headstrong: Purple Ribbon Project, Fall 2022
• Flinn-Brown Academy Fellowship
• Arizona Center for Civic Leadership, Fall 2022
• PCC’s Department of Psychology; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion
• Pima Community College, Fall 2022
• Phi Beta Kappa’s Young Alumni Circle
• Phi Beta Kappa, Fall 2022
• Sunnyside Unified School District, Board of Governors Nominee for Board Position
• Sunnyside Unified School District, Fall 2022 (Award Nominee)
• University of Arizona’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences; Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Teaching & Training Subcommittee
• University of Arizona, College of Social and Behavioral Sciences, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s Faculty Affairs, Faculty Learning Center Cohort
• University of Arizona’s Faculty Affairs, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s Faculty Learning Community; Inclusive Teaching & Practices
• University of Arizona's Faculty Learning Community, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s LawVets Mentor
• University of Arizona Veteran Services, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s MENTOR Institute; Ruby Community Member
• University of Arizona’s MENTOR Institute, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s Office of General Education Training & Cohort
• University of Arizona’s Office of General Education, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s Student Engagement & Career Development; Gratitude Project
• University of Arizona’s Student Engagement & Career Development, Fall 2022
• University of Arizona’s W.A. Franke Honors College Thesis Advisor & Mentor
• University of Arizona’s W.A. Franke Honors College, Fall 2022