Joanna Perez

Joanna Perez earned her M.A. and Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Illinois of Urbana-Champaign. She earned her undergraduate degree in Sociology with a double minor in Labor Workplace Studies and Civic Engagement from the University of California, Los Angeles. Currently, she is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at California State University, Dominguez Hills (CSUDH). Her research lies at the intersection of immigration, law, education, social movements, and family. In particular, she examines how systems of power and inequality, as well as the intersectionality of race, class, gender, sexuality, and immigration status, impact Latino undocumented immigrant young adult activists (undocuactivists). Drawing from the experiences Latino undocuactivists, her research reveals key pathways by which historically castigated and stigmatized social groups are capable of using activism to rectify and potentially reverse their prescribed positions in society. Joanna has received grants and awards that recognize her scholarship, teaching, and service. This includes receiving the ASA Fund for the Advancement of the Discipline, UndocuScholars Grant, and AAHHE Faculty Fellowship. At CSUDH, she has taught, mentored, and learned from first-generation, low-income, undocumented, LGBTQ, and students of color. This includes being a Faculty Advisor for the McNair Scholars Program, ENF: Immigrant Student Alliance, AKD: Sociology Honors Society, and initiatives geared towards advocating for underserved students. At the national level, she has served as the AAHHE Alumni Coordinator and elected Council Member for the ASA Latino Section. Overall, Joanna is a scholar-activist who is passionate about social justice and working towards changing the social conditions of marginalized communities.