MARIA CHAVEZ
Professor of Political Science
DR. MARIA CHAVEZ
Ph.D., Political Science, WSU
M.A., Political Science, CSU, Chico
B.A. cum laude, CSU, Chico
About
Dr. Chávez specializes in American government, public policy, Latino politics, and racial and ethnic politics. She has conducted research on a cross-section of the Latino population in urban and rural areas across the U.S., including Latino professionals, undocumented college students, and migrant seasonal farm workers. Her work centers on the political, civic, and professional experiences of Latinos in American society, and includes four books, numerous peer-reviewed journal articles, and book chapters. Dr. Chavéz’s research has twice earned her an American Political Science Association Best Book Award in Latino Politics.
Speakers Bureau Presenter
Dr. Chávez is a Presenter on Race & Identity with the Humanities Washington Speakers Bureau, 2021 – 2023. To learn more, and book Dr. Chávez for a presentation or event, please visit humanities.org, or contact Humanities Washington directly at speakers@humanities.org.
Books
“Maria Chávez has given us a remarkable and compelling book that deftly entwines social science with courageous acts of personal storytelling. Manifesting a profoundly civic spirit a and a keen sense for the resiliency in…”
American Political Science Association Best Book Award in Latino Politics
“Latino Peoples in the New America is a “must-read” contribution for many fields concerned with understanding past and present American racialization of Latinos through conquest, exploitation, and repression…”
In 2012, President Obama deferred the deportation of qualified undocumented youth with his policy of Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals forever changing the lives of the approximately five million DREAMers…
American Political Science Association Best Book Award in Latino Politics
“Everyday Injustice is the first comprehensive study of the experiences of Latino lawyers with racism and discrimination. Even though they have prevailed through the education process to become lawyers, Latino attorneys are often…”
Selected Articles, Book Chapters, and Publications
“I Feel Like I Was Born Here: Social Identity, Political Socialization, and DeAmericanization.” Coauthored with Tafoya, Joe R., Melissa R. Michelson, and Jessica L. Lavariega Monforti. 2019. Latino Studies 17 (1).
2019. “The Latino Future in the U.S.: A Latina Political Scientist’s Perspective on the Importance of Descriptive Representation.” In José Cobas, Joe Feagin, Daniel Delgado, Maria Chávez, eds., Latinos in the United States: Racialization, Discrimination and Resistance. New York: Routledge Publications.
Coauthored with Robin D. Jacobson. 2018. “Progressive Federalism: Washington State as a Protector of Civil Rights Progress?” In Cornell Clayton, Todd Donovan, and Nicholas Lovrich, eds., Governing Washington: Politics and Government in the Evergreen State, 3rd Edition. Pullman: Washington State University Press.
Coauthored with Fraga Ricardo Fraga. 2011. “Changing Faces of Diversity in Washington State.” In Cornell Clayton and Nicholas Lovrich, eds., Governing Washington: Politics and Government in the Evergreen State, 2nd Edition. Pullman: Washington State University Press.
“Should I Stay or Should I Go? Explaining Why Most Mexican Immigrants are Choosing to Remain Permanently in the U.S.” Coauthored with Wampler, B., and Francisco Pedraza. 2009. Latino Studies, 7, 1: 83-104.
“Reflexiones Pedagogicas: Latino Youth and the Significance of Public Policy.” 2006. Latino Studies 4, 3: 331-334.
“Left Out: Trust and Social Capital among Migrant Seasonal Farmworkers.” Coauthored with Brian Wampler, and Ross Burkhart. 2006. Social Science Quarterly 87, 5: 88-105.
Selected Talks and Presentations
Pacific Lutheran University’s Election Series Talk: “DACA’s Betrayal and the 2020 Presidential Election.” Presented with Wendy Martinez Hurtado at Pacific Lutheran University, Division of Social Sciences. October 16, 2020.
Washington State University‘s Center for Undergraduate Education,“First Generation Latino Professionals: Stories & Strategies to Increase the Pipeline.”
Pacific Lutheran University‘s, “The People’s Gathering: A Revolution in Consciousness.”
The Foley Institute and the Washington Secretary of State’s Office Politics in Washington State.
“Did you know…? The (de)Americanization of Latino Youth” TEDx Tacoma, Broadway Theater on the Square, Tacoma, Washington, March 21, 2015.
Teaching
2020-present Professor, Department of Political Science, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA.
2011-2020 Associate Professor, Department of Political Science, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA.
2016-2019 Chair, Department of Political Science, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA.
2006-2011 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Pacific Lutheran University, Tacoma, WA.
2003-2006 Assistant Professor, Department of Political Science, Seattle University, Seattle, WA.
Selected Awards
American Political Science Association’s Latino Caucus Best Book Award (twice)
American Political Science Association’s Centennial Grant Award
American Political Science Association’s Small Research Grant Award
Pacific Lutheran University’s K.T. Tang Faculty Excellence Award
Pacific Lutheran University’s Celebration of Inspirational Women, Pacific Lutheran University Center for Gender Equity.