The University of New Mexico revealed on Sept. 3, that Alejandro Mendiaz-Rivera, the program director of El Puente Research Fellowship, along with four graduate fellows, have recently showcased the program's achievements in a peer-reviewed journal by the American Sociological Association. El Puente has been instrumental in assisting 170 primarily first-generation, low-income students of color in exploring research opportunities that might otherwise be inaccessible to them, according to a press release.
The Florence Emilia Castillo, Gustavo García, Ana Paula Milán Hinostroza and Natalia M. Toscano, all affiliated with El Centro de la Raza's El Puente Research Fellowship, collaborated with Mendiaz-Rivera to publish their pedagogical approach in the publication.
“We set it as a goal for ourselves to publish about our pedagogical practices in the program because we felt we were doing something unique that should be written about,” Mendiaz-Rivera said.
Fellows participating in the program have diverse academic backgrounds spanning more than 50 different areas of study. These selected fellows have the autonomy to choose and explore a subject. El Centro de la Raza offers resources, guidance and mentorship to support these fellows throughout their research journey. The culmination of their efforts is showcased as each fellow presents their research proposal at the UNM Undergraduate Research Opportunity Conference, according to the release.
“Alejandro has taken the helm of El Puente and taken it to the next level. I think the publication brings all of the elements of the program together and really showcases the work that's been done by our predecessors to bring the program to where we're at now,” said El Centro Director Rosa Isela Cervantes. “We really try to make sure every program in El Centro allows everybody to walk away with a learning opportunity. Here you have a program where students not only learn from the instructional team but truly engage and learn from each other.”