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.
Languages
English: Native fluency
Spanish: Native fluency (first language)
Areas of Research and Teaching Interest
Latino Politics
Politics of Race and Ethnicity
American Government
State and Local Politics
Urban Politics
Public Policy
Education Policy
Immigration Policy
Professional Memberships (current and former)
National Women’s Studies Association
American Political Science Association: Section on Women and Politics Research; State Politics & Policy; Race, Ethnicity, & Politics; Migration & Citizenship.
Pacific Northwest Political Science Association
Western Political Science Association
Pacific Northwest National Association for Chicano/a Studies
Professional Service Activities (selected)
Member, Committee on the Status of Latinos in the Profession, American Political Science Association 2014-2017.
Section Chair, Western Political Science Association, State and Local Politics Section, San Diego, CA, March 24-26, 2016.
Member, American Political Science Association’s Latino Caucus Best Book Award Committee to pick the Best Book in Latino Politics, 2014.
Member, Executive Council of the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association, 2010-2012.
Representative, selected to be one of two representatives from Washington State to serve on the Western Political Science Association’s Budget Roundtable Group, 2011-2012.
Co-Chair and Co-Facilitator, the Status of Latinos in Political Science Committee for the Western Political Science Association. Planned & co-facilitated the Latino Politics Workshop, Albuquerque, New Mexico. March 15, 2006.
Co-Chair and Co-Facilitator, the Status of Latinos in Political Science Committee for the Western Political Science Association. Planned and facilitated the Latino Politics Workshop, Oakland, California. March 16, 2005
Chair, “Latino Caucus in Political Science Panel 2,” American Political Science Association Annual Meeting, Chicago, IL, September 2004.
Co-Chair and Co-Facilitator, the Status of Latinos in Political Science Committee. Planned and facilitated the Latino Politics workshop on March 10, 2004 at the Western Political Science Association Annual Conference, Portland, Oregon.
Co-Chair, Western Political Science Association, Status of Latinos in Political Science Committee, 2003-2006.
Panel Chair/Discussant at the Pacific Northwest Political Science Association Annual Conference, Bellevue, Washington, 17-19 October 2002.
University Service Activities (selected)
Member, Pacific Lutheran University, Academic Performance & Integrity Committee, 2020-present.
Chair, Department of Politics and Government, Pacific Lutheran University, 2016-present.
Member, Pacific Lutheran University Latino Studies Minor Committee, 2016-present.
Member, Pacific Lutheran University Diversity Committee, 2014-2016.
Member, Pacific Lutheran University Bias Incident Response Team Task-Force Committee, Spring 2016.
Member, Pacific Lutheran University Holocaust and Genocide Studies Minor Committee, 2015-2016.
Interim Chair, Department of Political Science, Pacific Lutheran University, 2011-2012.
Human Participant’s Review Board Unit Designate for Social Science, Pacific Lutheran University, 2010-2012.
Member, Admission and Retention Faculty Committee, Pacific Lutheran University, Fall 2007 to Spring 2008
Admission and Retention Committee’s liason to Diversity Committee, Pacific Lutheran University, Fall 2007-Spring 2008.
Faculty Participant, Reception for Accepted Latino Students, Seattle University, April 16, 2005.
Faculty Advisor, Seattle University: MEChA, 2004-2005 academic year.
Faculty Discussion Facilitator, Seattle University: Academic Day, September 20, 2004.
Led the writing and development of the Institute of Public Service’s Faculty Diversity Hiring Plan, Seattle University, April 2004.
Participant, Seattle University’s Center for the Study of Justice in Society’s ten-day seminar to Mexico City, “The Guadalupe Experience” with a group of 12 people composed of faculty, staff, and Jesuits from Seattle University, Dec. 9-18, 2003.
Member, Graduate Committee, Department of Public Administration, Boise State University, Last updated December 2020 Chávez 13 2003.