Dueñas Recognized as Outstanding Faculty by NASPA
Mary Dueñas, an assistant professor in Educational Leadership and Policy Studies (ELPS) in the College of Education, Health, and Human Sciences (CEHHS) was recently honored for her outstanding contributions in the field of student affairs. Dueñas received the Mena Valdez Outstanding Faculty Award at the NASPA annual conference held in New Orleans, Louisiana.
The award recognizes a faculty member who has made significant contributions to the field of student affairs and higher education through teaching, research, and mentorship. It honors individuals who demonstrate a commitment to advancing student success, particularly for historically marginalized communities. Recipients are distinguished by their dedication to fostering the development of future student affairs professionals and their impact on the broader higher education landscape.
Dueñas’ research addresses issues of equity and access in higher education, focusing on Latina/o/x college students attending four-year colleges/universities, their sense of belonging, and their experience with imposter syndrome. In her research practice, she uses holistic frameworks and critical theory to share stories and explain systemic inequities that marginalized communities face as they persist through higher education. She pays particular attention to college access and creates pathways for underrepresented and marginalized students to thrive and succeed in higher education.
Dueñas will also receive an honorable mention in the Early Career Award from the American Educational Research Association (AERA) LRI SIG this April in Denver, Colorado.