When David Lopez Amaya took his first class with Associate Professor of Political Science Loren Collingwood at The University of New Mexico, it fired his enthusiasm for political science, particularly the topic of voting rights for minorities.
“Growing up in a disadvantaged, minority community, I recognized the importance of political engagement and representation as means for our voices to be heard,” said Lopez Amaya.
Lopez Amaya expressed that the backdrop of the COVID-19 pandemic and the contentious political climate of the 2020 presidential election reaffirmed his commitment to pursuing political science. He shared, "I knew I wanted to pursue a degree that would allow me to research minority communities in the field of politics."
Regarding his research focus on Native American voting rights claims, Lopez Amaya stated, “Conducting research on this research topic has afforded me the opportunity to contribute to the pursuit of equitable political representation for a marginalized and overlooked community.”
At a recent consortium, Lopez Amaya presented his ongoing paper focused on approaches to racially polarized voting analysis in Native American voting rights claims. He highlighted the importance of addressing obstacles encountered when estimating racially polarized voting in such cases.
David Lopez Amaya acknowledged the significant role of Dr. Collingwood in his academic journey, stating, “His commitment to shedding light on these topics within the discipline of political science has not only expanded my understanding of the field but has also inspired me to pursue research beyond the undergraduate level.”
Collingwood praised Lopez Amaya's dedication and academic achievements, mentioning, “He was so good and the best undergrad I've had in 11 years as a professor." He further emphasized Lopez Amaya's engagement in research opportunities and mentor relationships with faculty members.
Lopez Amaya, who has been accepted into several Ph.D. programs, including UNM, Arizona State University, and UCLA, shared his ultimate goal of contributing to academia and advocating for Latino and Native American communities.
Reflecting on the support from his parents, Lopez Amaya expressed gratitude for their encouragement as a first-generation college student with an immigrant background, noting that making them proud has been a driving force behind his academic and career success.
