ABOUT ME
Angelica Ruvalcaba (she/her/ella) is a dual-major doctoral candidate in the Department of Sociology and Chicano/Latino Studies Program with a specialization in Women's and Gender Studies at Michigan State University. Her research interests include Chicana feminism, Latinx sociology, sociology of education, race/ethnicity, and immigration.
EDUCATION
Estimated May 2023
Michigan State University
Ph.D. Sociology
Dual Major in Chicano/Latino Studies
Specialization in Women’s and Gender Studies
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
May 2020
Michigan State University
M.A. Sociology
Thesis: “I Can Be Myself, [Almost] Always: A Latinx Microclimate in a Predominantly White Institution of Higher Education”
Michigan State University, East Lansing, Michigan
May 2017
Texas A&M University
B.A. Sociology
Latino/a & Mexican American Studies minor; History minor
Texas A&M University, College Station, Texas
Latina Undergraduate Student Activism
March 2022 - Present
Dissertation Summary:
This qualitative dissertation explores Latina undergraduates' activism at a predominantly white institution of higher education in the Midwest. Through the use of semi-structured interviews, I explore themes of justice, challenging apathy, and amplifying the voices of marginalized peoples through activism.
RESEARCH EXPERIENCE
August 2021 - Present
Understanding the relationship between field of study and college attainment
Graduate Research Assistantship
In this quantitative study, the relationship between majoring in Ethnic, Area, and Gender Studies and bachelor's degree attainment is examined through a QuantCrit lens. Additionally, we explore the differences in this relationship among racial and ethnic groups.
January 2022 - Present
A Critical Race Theory Analysis of DEI Statements from BIG 10 Sociology Departments
Research Supervisor Assignment
In this study, the research team explores the ways in which Departments of Sociology in the BIG 10 Academic Alliance discuss and engage with racism and other systems of oppression as they appear in their DEI statements. This work is in collaboration with Katrina Groeller, Jenny Olivarez, and Dr. Jennifer Lai.
November 2018 - May 2020
I can be myself [almost] always: A Latinx microclimate in a predominantly white institution of higher education
Master's Thesis
Through the use of open-ended interviews and demographic questionnaires, I explore themes of belonging, identity, invalidation, space, and microaggressions through a Critical Race Theory and LatCrit lens.
PUBLICATIONS
Published Manuscript
Ruvalcaba, Angelica, Madeline Nash, Jennifer Lai, and Jihan Mohammed. 2020. “Reclaiming Space: The Narratives of Female Doctoral Students of Color.” Women, Gender, and Families of Color 8(2):194-202.
Accepted Manuscripts
Ayala, María Isabel, Magaly Ordoñez, and Angelica Ruvalcaba. “The Framing of Latinxs’ Education: An Examination of Spanish-Language Newspapers.” Latino Studies Journal.
Lai, Jennifer, and Angelica Ruvalcaba. Forthcoming. “Institutional Compassion: Counterstories to betrayal in sociology.” Feminisms, Race, and Social Justice. The Feminist Wire Books.
Flores, Amanda, Angelica Ruvalcaba, Erika Vallejo, Dianey Leal. Forthcoming. “Midwest Tejanas: Navigating entre mundos juntas.” ¡Somos Tejanas!
Manuscripts in Progress
Ruvalcaba, Angelica. “I Can Be Myself, [Almost] Always: A Latinx Microclimate in a Predominantly White Institution of Higher Education.”
Ayala, Maria Isabel, and Angelica Ruvalcaba. "Understanding the relationships between field of study and college attainment."
Ruvalcaba, Angelica, Katrina Groeller, Jenny Olivarez, and Jennifer Lai. “Invisible Obstacles and Hidden Curriculums: Behind Racial Disparities in Times to Degree Completion in Sociology.”
TEACHING EXPERIENCE
Race and Ethnicity
Instructor
Department of Sociology
Michigan State University
July 2022 - August 2022
May 2021 - June 2021
Introduction to Chicano/Latino Studies
Graduate Teaching Assistant
Chicano/Latino Studies Program
Michigan State University
August 2018 - May 2019
CURRICULUM VITAE
GALLERY
Academic Conference Presentations, Scholarship Spotlights, and Interview Highlights
 American Sociological Association 2021, Virtual.Invisible Obstacles, Hidden Curriculums |  National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies 2019 Albuquerque, NM.De-Centering Whiteness: Subverting the Narrative at Predominantly White Institutions of Higher Education |  Julian Samora Research Scholarship2019-2020 Recipient |
|---|
CONTACT
Thank you for viewing my website. Please reach out to connect with me.
Michigan State University Address:
368 Farm Lane South Kedzie Hall Rm 200
East Lansing, Michigan 48823
Email: ruvalca1@msu.edu