Dr. Juanita Vivas Bastidas: The Newest Assistant Professor of the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies inspires students by setting a precedent.

Standing at the front of Social Sciences Room 204 at 12 p.m. is Dr. Juanita Vivas Bastidas. In a sun-drenched room, her students learn about topics ranging from sexism to cultural narratives that are present in Chicano culture. Vivas Bastidas is a new assistant professor in the Department of Chicano and Latin American Studies at Fresno State. Her classroom is filled with energy and passion for the subject she teaches, and her enthusiasm is visibly reciprocated as every part of the room holds several students willing to contribute to the conversation. The atmosphere in the room sparks with mutual respect and appreciation. “She’s a great teacher,” said construction management major George Moreno. “I don’t think any other teachers in this college have the same teaching style as she does.” Originally from Bogota, Colombia, Vivas Bastidas acquired her Masters and Ph.D. in Sociology from Loyola University in Chicago.

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