Maria Chavez

Professor of Political Science

Maria Chavez

Phone: 253-535-7836

Email: chavezml@plu.edu

Office Location: Xavier Hall - 102

Website: https://mariachavezphd.com/

Curriculum Vitae: View my CV

  • Professional
  • Biography

Additional Titles/Roles

  • Department Chair of Political Science

Education

  • Ph.D., Political Science, Washington State University, 2002
  • M.A. with distinction, Political Science, California State University, Chico College of Social Science, 1995
  • B.A. cum laude, California State University, Chico College of Social Science, 1992

Areas of Emphasis or Expertise

  • American Government
  • Public Policy and Administration
  • Race and Politics

Books

  • Latino Professionals in America: Testimonios of Policies, Perseverance, and Success (Routledge Publications 2019) : View Book
  • Latino Peoples in the New America Chapters 11 (Routledge Publications 2019) : View Book
  • Living the Dream: New Immigration Policies and the Lives of Undocumented Latino Youth co-authored with Jessica Lavariega Monforti, and Melissa R. Michelson (Paradigm Publishers 2015) : View Book
  • Everyday Injustice: Latino Professionals and Racism (Rowman & Littlefield Publishers 2011) : View Book

Accolades

  • American Political Science Association (APSA) Latino Caucus book award for best book published in 2011 "Everyday Injustice: Latino Professionals and Racism"
  • K.T. Tang Faculty Excellence Award in Research 2011
  • Fellow for the Tomas Rivera Policy Institute
  • Recipient of the Washington State Hispanic Chamber of Commerce Award

Biography

Dr. Chavez’s areas of teaching and research interest include public policy, American government, Latino politics and race/ethnic politics. She is author of the book Living the Dream: New Immigration Policies and the Lives of Undocumented Youth (Paradigm Publishers, 2014) with Jessica Lavariega Monforti, and Melissa R. Michelson.  She is also the author of the book Everyday Injustice: Latino Professionals and Racism (Rowman and Littlefield, Inc. 2011), which won the prestigious American Political Science Association’s Latino Caucus Best Book Award in Latino Politics published in 2011.