Research Spotlight: Dr. Elena M. Venegas
Q & A with Dr. Elena M. Venegas, Assistant Professor in the Department of Bilingual and Literacy Studies
What are your research interests and research achievements?
My research focuses on the various ways that social issues manifest themselves in education, primarily within the context of literacy. I published research related to the literature circle participation of intermediate grades readers in Reading & Writing Quarterly and The Reading Teacher. I also published a practitioner-oriented book chapter on fostering reading comprehension centered on a text written about school segregation from a Latinx perspective in Multicultural Literature in the Content Areas: Transforming K-12 Classrooms into Engaging, Inviting, and Socially Conscious Spaces.
Related to higher education, my co-authored research on critical media literacy with diverse college students was published in the Journal of Diversity in Higher Education. My co-authored research into culturally relevant literacy pedagogy has been published in the Journal of Multicultural Affairs. I also published co-authored research on the language and literacy practices of bilingual pre-service teachers in a chapter within the book, Teacher Education at Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Exploring Identity, Practice, and Culture. The Journal for Multicultural Education also published my co-authored article on linguistic discrimination.
I continue to conduct research related to culturally sustaining pedagogy in literacy contexts, literature circles, and people of color.
How does your work align with UTRGV’s and CEP’s strategic plans?
One of the emphases of UTRGV’s Transforming our World strategic plan is on diversity, access, and inclusion. My research seeks to not only recognize but also affirm and sustain diversity, particularly related to linguistic and literate practices. Furthermore, my research projects related to Hispanic-Serving Institutions aligns with UTRGV’s emphasis on research that impacts the Rio Grande Valley and beyond.
In terms of the CEP’s strategic plan, my research projects have included faculty from all ranks as well as undergraduate and graduate students. This aligns with the CEP’s mission to cultivate opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students to engage in scholarship.
What are your current projects?
Currently, I am working with Dr. Jacqueline Koonce, Ms. Lorenza Lancaster, Ms. Julissa Bazan, and Ms. Adriana Garza on research into the experiences of women faculty of color. I am also working on a project with a colleague from my alma mater on a summer literacy enrichment program.