Access Torch: Teresa Rivera

September 16, 2024 - Emily Jodway

Teresa Rivera is a dual-major PhD student in the Chicano/Latino Studies (CLS) Program and the Department of Sociology. Originally from Texas, Teresa leverages her experiences growing up in a border town to research the stories and lived experiences of Latinx immigrants. Her current research interests include understanding how Latina immigrants manage stress and exploring the life experiences of undergraduate Latinx students to enhance their access to resources and support. We are pleased to honor her as our Access Torch honoree for September in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month. 

Rivera grew up in Brownsville, Texas, a city adjacent to Matamoros, Mexico. Although born in the United States, her parents and many extended family members were born and raised in Mexico. This background has provided her with unique perspectives on immigration, bilingualism, and cultural practices from both the Southern US and Northern Mexico. She fondly recalls her upbringing, which was rich with family gatherings, such as spending time with cousins, attending weddings, baptisms, and eagerly anticipating visits to Mexico.

“It also really helped with the formation of my identity, my values and beliefs and who I am as a person, so now when I’m far away from home I can draw back on those values of creating welcoming spaces, spending time together, watching out for each other, listening to one another, and that this can be a form of strength and resilience,” she said.

After earning her undergraduate degree in sociology from Texas A&M, Rivera and her family relocated to Michigan. Following a decade of work in the nonprofit sector, Rivera decided to return to academia, earning a master’s in clinical social work from Ferris State University in 2021 before commencing her PhD studies at Michigan State University in 2022. As a first-generation college student who has pursued her education away from her family, finding a community and a sense of belonging has always been a priority for her.

“I’ve come to learn the importance of having community, and that extends to my research and my work as well,” she said. “Every place that I go to, I notice that it becomes something that I look forward to creating or taking part in.” 

Initially, Rivera struggled to find her footing and passion in education, driven primarily by the expectation that college was a necessary step for better career opportunities. While she made friends and maintained good grades, it was only near graduation that she recognized her calling in community service and the nonprofit sector, which has significantly influenced her pursuit of a PhD.

Her research also gravitates toward the concept of intersectionality, which involves participating in and navigating multiple roles and cultural contexts. For example, she celebrates both American and traditionally Hispanic holidays, reflecting her life in two distinct cultural spheres. “I was born here, but I have family in Mexico, and for me that was very common, to be in these two different worlds and in two potentially different cultures.” This perspective allows her to incorporate these intersecting cultural experiences into her research, particularly in addressing issues faced by Latina immigrants, such as interpersonal violence, barriers to accessing care, and daily stressors.

“I can bring that understanding [of intersectionality] into my research, which is really interesting because while I’m not an immigrant, I have my [background] with the community, and it’s cool to be able to make those connections…” she added.

Currently, Rivera’s research focuses on the community-level impact of interpersonal violence (IPV). While existing research often addresses IPV from an individual perspective, Rivera is investigating how non-governmental organizations (NGOs) support communities and how these organizations perceive their clients’ experiences with IPV. She has conducted ethnographic fieldwork with an NGO in West Michigan, interviewing staff and planning to engage with clients to gain their perspectives.

Her other project examines the impact of Ethnic Studies curricula on the experiences and graduation rates of undergraduate Latinx students. She is also exploring how early life experiences affect their mental health outcomes and academic success.

Rivera values the supportive community within CLS at MSU, which has enriched her research and provided opportunities to work with like-minded individuals. She appreciates the extensive literature from both pioneering and contemporary Latinx scholars, which resonates with her own experiences and research goals. 

“Knowing that I can take from this work and continue it on my own, to add to this literature, and this understanding that is there, is super exciting to me,” she said, also noting the opportunity to enhance our understanding and inclusivity within higher education. “I think of it as a challenge. And I think when people are given this space where they feel included and welcomed, they can own their space within higher education, and it frees up our minds and our efforts to continue to focus on doing good [scholarly] work.”

Rivera also acknowledges the influence of her mentors at Michigan State, describing them as dedicated and passionate about her success. Among them are sociology professor and Director of CLS Dr. Maria Isabel Ayala, CLS core faculty members Dr. PJ Pettis (Sociology) and Dr. Estrella Torrez (Residential College in the Arts and Humanities), and Dr. Amanda Flaim (Sociology/James Madison College). 

“My mentors at MSU have shown me the value of research that genuinely centers the lived experiences and voice of the Latinx community, daily push me to engage in rigorous and robust studentship and have modeled firsthand what it means to be an academic that is engaged and invested in the success of their students and respective departments.” 

This idea of community and stories also translates into how Rivera celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month. Being immersed in CLS has only added to her understanding of Hispanic history and culture and knowing that she wants to be a part of its journey and continue to contribute to it. 

“Taking the time to learn about yourself or your community has the potential to be life-changing, and you gain that deeper understanding of yourself, your community, and your previous perceptions or thoughts might change,” she said. “Or, in my case, you strengthen your previous perceptions of what it means to be Hispanic, Latino, and then you have this opportunity to continue to grow and have these visions for the future and what it means to keep going as a Latinx community or as a Latinx individual.”