I am Jennifer Ayala, a professor in the Sociology/Urban Studies/Anthropology department at Saint Peter’s University. We are a small Jesuit university that recently celebrated 25 years as a Hispanic Serving Institution. As a small school, we often have multiple roles here. I am also the director of The Center for Undocumented Students and the Latin American and Latino Studies program, co-coordinator of the new certificate program in Refugee and Migration Studies and one of the objective coordinators for the Bienestar for all grant. In that role, I run la Cultura Cura, a program that centers on culturally sustaining and healing-engaged activities with college and high school students, facilitated by local artists.
A daughter of diasporas, my family migrated from Cuba and Ecuador, so I identify with both and neither as a US Latina. My scholarship is rooted in participatory action research approaches, being one of the founding members of CUNY’s Public Science Project. Over time, I’ve focused on education and immigrant justice issues, healing and well-being for Latine young adults, and a PAR that is Entremundos. I have a love for my family and my students, and I am fluent in Spanglish, and in the consumption of tasty dishes.