Long Bio
C. Alejandra Elenes' interdisciplinary scholarship bridges the humanities and social sciences. Her scholarship centers on the application of Anzalduan philosophy, Chicana feminist transformative pedagogies, epistemologies, methodologies, spirituality, and social justice to examine Chicana education in formal and informal settings. Her current research project studies the experiences of Chicanas in women, gender and sexuality studies and the formation of Chicana intellectual thought. In this research project she is conducting genealogical, archival and ethnographic research.
She is the author of "Transforming Borders: Chicana/o Popular Culture and Pedagogy" (Lexington Books 2011) and co-editor of "Chicana/Latina Education in Everyday Life: Feminista Perspectives on Pedagogy and Epistemology" (SUNY Press) and winner of the 2006 American Educational Studies Association book critics' award.
Her articles have appeared in a variety of journals such as Educational Theory, Frontiers, International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education and Journal of Latino/Latin American Studies. She has published chapters in anthologies on the history of women's studies, education, Chicana/o studies, and Latin American studies. From 2014-2017, she served as co-lead editor of Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social.
Education
- Ph.D. Curriculum and Instruction, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1993
- M.A. Educational Policy Studies, University of Wisconsin-Madison 1986
- Licenciatura (B.A.) Ciencias de la Informacion, Universidad de Monterrey, Mexico 1981
Research Interests
Chicana Feminist Theories, Methodologies, Epistemologies and Spirituality
Education and Cultural Studies
Anzalduan Philosophy
Feminist Editorial Practices
Women of Color Feminisms and Theories of Intersectionality
Publications
- Cuadraz, Gloria H. and C. Alejandra Elenes. Editor's Commentary. Thriving en el Desierto de Arizona: Embracing Activism in the Pursuit of Justice. Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social (2014).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Spiritual Roots of Chicana Feminist Borderland Pedagogies: A Spiritual Journey with Tontantzin/Guadalupe. Fleshing the Spirit: Spirituality and Activism in Chicana, Latina, and Indigenous Women's Lives (2014).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Transformando Fronteras: Chicana feminist transformative pedagogies. Education Feminism: Classic and Contemporary Readings (2013).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. The Heart of SB 1070: Racial Profiling. The Feminist Wire (2012).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Transforming Borders: Chicana Popular Culture and Pedagogy. (2011).
- . . Review of: Spritual Mestizaje: Religion, Gender, Race, and Nation in Contemporary Chicana Narrative (2011).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Transformando Fronteras: Chicana Feminist Transformative Pedagogies. Racial and Ethnic Diversity in Higher Education (2011).
- Delgado Bernal, Dolores and Elenes, C. Alejandra. Chicana Feminist Theorizing: Methodologies, Pedagogies, and Practices. Chicano School Failure and Success: Past, Present, and Future (2010).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra & Dolores Delgado Bernal. Latina/o Education and the Reciprocal Relationship between Theory and Practice: Four Theories Informed by the Experiental Knowledge of Marginalized Communities. Handbook of Latinos and Eduction: Theory, Research, and Practice (2010).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. "Continuity and Change in Women's Studies Programs: One Step Forward, Two Steps Backwards". The Evolution of American Women's Studies: Reflections on Triumphs, Controversies, and Change (2008).
- Elenes, C Alejandra (Author) . Transformando Fronteras: Chicana Feminist Transformative Pedagogies. Chicana/Latina Education in Everyday Life: Feminista Perspectives on Pedagogy and Epistemology (2006).
- Villenas, Sofia (Author) ,Godinez, Francisca E (Author) ,Bernal, Delgado (Author) ,Dolores, Elenes (Author) ,Elenes, C Alejandra (Author) . Chicana/Latinas Building Bridges: An introduction. Chicana/Latina Education in Everyday Life: Feminista Perspectives on Pedagogy and Epistemology (2006).
Courses
2020 Spring
| Course Number | Course Title |
|---|---|
| HRC 200 | Intro:Social/Cultural Analysis |
| WST 430 | Gender on the Borderlands |
| LAS 430 | Gender on the Borderlands |
| ETH 430 | Gender on the Borderlands |
| JHR 598 | Special Topics |
Presentations
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Nepantla, Spiritual Activism, New Tribalism: Chicana Feminist Transformative Pedagogies and Social Justice Education. Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social Summer Institute (Aug 2014).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Spiritual Roots of Chicana Feminist Borderland Pedagogies: A Spiritual Journey with Tonantzin/Guadalupe. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (Apr 2014).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra & Cuadraz, Gloria. Achieving Tenure: Practical Strategies to Build your File. Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio social Summer Institute (Jul 2013).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Chicanas and Women's Studies: Transforming the Academy. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (Mar 2013).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Women's Studies, Social Justice, and Human Rights. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (Mar 2013).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Border Life in Theory and Practice. Transition to Teach Program (Feb 2013).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Healing Borders Crossers(ings): Nurturing Xicana Sacred Spaces as Decolonizing Practice. 111th American Anthropological Association Annual Meeting (Nov 2012).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Decolonizing the Spiritualities of Chicana, Latina, and Indigenous Women. National Women's Studies Association (Nov 2012).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Nepantla, Spiritual Activism, New Tribalism: Social Justice Pedagogy. El Mundo Zurdo: The International Conference on the Life and Work on Gloria E. Anzaldua (May 2012).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Decolonizing and Transformative Knowledge: Toward a Social Justice Agenda. National Association for Chicana and Chicano tudies (Mar 2012).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Interrogating the Politics of Knowledge: Implications of HB 2281. Arizona MALCS Institute 2010 (Jul 2010).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Reflecting on Triumphs, Controversies and Change in Women's Studies Over the Last 40 Years." Title of Presentation: Continuity and Change in Women's Studies: On the Borderlands between Intersectionality, Transnationalism, and Reorganization. National Association for Women's Studies (Nov 2009).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Chicanas, Mentoring and Higher Education: Narratives of Survival and "Mothering.". Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social Summer Institute (Jul 2009).
- Elenes, C. Alejandra. Constructing Borderland Subjectivities in Chicana Feminist Pedagogy. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies Annual Conference (Apr 2009).
- Elenes, C. Chicana feminist border/transformative pedagogies: education and popular culture. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (Apr 2007).
- Elenes, C. La Virgen de Guadalupe and Transnational Comodification. National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies XXXIII Conference (Jun 2006).
- Elenes, C. Cultural practices and commodification: The transnationalist pedagogies of the Virgin of Guadalupe. American Educational Research Association annual conference (Apr 2006).
Service
- Facultuy Lead, American Studies, Ethnicity Race & First Nation Studies, and Women and Gender Studies, Faculty Lead (2014 - Present)
- New College, MASJHR, Director (2011 - Present)
- New College, MASJHR, Director (2011 - Present)
- Master's in Interdisciplinary Studies, Member of the Executive Committee and member of the admissions committee (2007 - Present)
- Masters in Human Rights and Social Justice, Member of graduate group. (2007 - Present)
- Arizona Association for Chicanos in Higher Education, Member of the Board (2004 - Present)
- Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, Co-Lead Editor (2014 - 2017)
- Committee on Academic Freedom and Tenure, Member (2012 - 2015)
- Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, Member of the National Advisory Board (2009 - 2014)
- Aztlan: A Journal of Chicano Studies, blind peer reviewer (2013 - 2013)
- Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, Member of the National Advisory Board (2009 - 2013)
- General Studies Council, Member of GSC, and Chair of the Cultural Diversity Sub-Committee (2011 - 2013)
- Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, Member of the National Advisory Board (2009 - 2011)
- General Studies Council, Member Cultural Diversity Sub-Committee (2008 - 2011)
- National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies, Peer Reviewer proposal for Annual Conference (2010 - 2010)
- MA in Women's Stuides Working Group, Organizer "chair" or working group developing the plan for the MA in Women's Studies (2008 - 2010)
- Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social ASU Site Committee, Co-Chair (2009 - 2010)
- Bilingual Research Journal, Peer Reviewer (2009 - 2009)
- Aztlan: A Journal of Chicano Studies, Peer Reviewer (2009 - 2009)
- Equity & Excellence in Education, Peer Reviewer (2009 - 2009)
- NCIAS Curriculum Committee, Member (2005 - 2008)
- Faculty Women's Association, Member (2007 - 2008)
- Border Justice Organizing Committee, April 2008 event, Member of the organizing committee (2007 - 2008)
- National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies, Referee/Reviewer of paper/panel proposals for annual conference (2006 - 2006)
- Women and Gender Studies, Tempe Campus, conference proposal reviewer (2006 - 2006)
- Arizona Association for Chicanos in Higher Education, Board Member (2005 - 2006)
- Women's Studies Program, Member Health Search Committee (2005 - 2006)