Welcome to Mexican American Studies

MAS is the study of the Mexican American experience. MAS offers a major, minor, Graduate Certificate and M.A. in Interdisciplinary Studies. MAS students will take a wide range of courses in many disciplines to study the political, cultural, social, economic, and artistic conditions and contributions of Mexican Americans, within a historical and contemporary context. Since UTPA is a Hispanic Serving Institution on the Texas-Mexico Border that enrolls nearly 19,000 students, 89% of which are classified as Mexican American or Latino, MAS is committed to providing students with a culturally affiriming education that allows them to critically asses the Mexican American experience. Such preparation is essential to students pursuing a variety of careers and who want to work effectively in and with Mexican American and Latina/o communities in almost any field. MAS students are uniquely positioned for graduate studies, law school, and other advanced degrees or a career in a variety of fields, such as law, education, government, the arts, health, social services, and many others in which they may apply their knowledge to effect positive social change in the community and beyond.

Alumni Corner

Roberto Reyna

As a current M.A. Mexican American Studies Candidate scheduled to graduate in December 2012, it seems that my current position in life happened with a blink of an eye. The struggle of getting to where I am at did not come without great personal and intellectual growth that began during my undergraduate years within the UTPA MAS Program. The rigorous San José State University MAS program has not only enhanced my critical thinking skills, but also to consider alternative transformative pedagogies that seek social justice for our future generations. Continuously shaping my work/research within the MAS program to accommodate my primary focus, migrant farmworkers and educational attainment, reminds me of my desire to share the knowledge gained in order to provide opportunities within the community. As my stay in San José comes to a near end, the reality of being able to actually return home and work with the community I grew up in brings a reward that is simply heartwarming. I have yet to solidify my plans for the future, but do know that wherever an opportunity to provide support for migrant farmworkers exists, I hope to be there.

Student Spotlight

Iliana Vásquez is a Spring 2013 graduate and will pursue a M.A. in MAS at UT Austin in Fall 2013.

Mexican American Studies Club

MASC general meetings are Thursdays from 12 to 1 in the 3rd floor of the COAS building room 310! Feel free to stop by!

Rio Bravo
Journal of Borderlands

Río Bravo Journal is a peer reviewed journal that publishes peer-reviewed articles on the borderlands between the United States and Mexico. This goal includes the promotion of the development of a better international understanding, to help in the design and implementation of further research and new discoveries concerning the relations between the United States and México, to serve as a model for such investigations along the Rio Grande and to shed light on borderlands studies in general.

Noticias

MAS graduated its largest class of students ever this Spring 2013. Congratulations to Merari Arredondo, Paulo García, Lucero Martínez, Norma Pérez, Alexandra Rangel, Daniel Salinas, and Iliana Vásquez.