Education:

Ph.D., Education, Culture and Society, University of Utah

M.A., Experimental Psychology, California State University Northridge

B.A., Psychology and Social Behavior, University of California Irvine

Biography:

Dr. Cindy O. Fierros is assistant professor of Ethnic Studies in the department of Psychology. Prior to teaching at SLCC, she taught in the Gender Studies Program at the University of Utah and served as the co-director of the Utah Prison Education Project. As a doctoral student she taught education and gender studies courses. Her ardent belief in the transformative potential of the classroom continues to nurture her commitment to teaching and learning alongside students. Dr. Fierros is a proud first-generation college student from Whittier, CA. She is an avid runner and mediocre, but enthusiastic, mountain biker and skier. She can often be found enjoying the mountains alongside her spouse, two kids, and Welsh Springer Spaniel-Hotdog.

Courses Taught:

• ETHS 2400: Introduction to Ethnic Studies
• ETHS 2430: Chican*/Latin* Experiences
• ETHS 2640 - Targeted Identities: Mass Incarceration in the U.S.
• ETHS 2730 - Muxeres Malcriadas: Chicana/x & Latina/x Feminisms

Education:

M.Ed. Education, Culture, and Society, University of Utah
B.A. Socioculture Anthropology, Brigham Young University

Biography:

Gwen Spotted Elk is an adjunct professor of Ethnic Studies in the department of Psychology. She is Northern Cheyenne (Tsitsistas) from southeastern Montana but she grew up for most of her life in the Four Corners area of Utah. Gwen is a newer professor at SLCC, but she has taught and co-taught at other institutions in mostly education but also a few student seminars. In addition to teaching, Gwen has worked in higher education for 19 years in differing capacities. Gwen has four children ranging in age from 21 to 12. She is a proud soccer mom as all her children play or have played competitive soccer. In her spare time, Gwen loves to read self-help, history, and other great stories, but if she doesn’t have a good book, she mostly works on her house, remodeling and redesigning.

Courses Taught:

• ETHS 2440: Native American Experience

Education:

M.Ed Educational Leadership and Policy with an emphasis in Student Affairs, University of Utah
B.S Psychology/Criminal Justice, Northern Arizona University
A.A Psychology, Coconino Community College

Biography:

Stephanie Charles is Diné (Navajo) from Tuba City, Arizona, and a descendant of the 1974 Navajo Relocation Act, the Navajo Treaty of 1868, and the 1849 Treaty with the Utah Tribe of Indians. With over ten years of experience in student affairs and over 500 years of resistance against federal government policies, she is dedicated to deconstructing colonization. Stephanie has worked in areas such as financial aid and first-generation student programming, striving to create processes that are equitable and accessible for all. She has also led workshops focused on student success and taught various financial literacy classes for TRIO programs.

As a mother of three, Stephanie enjoys playing basketball, shooting pool, journaling, creating art, and exploring the values of different personalities through astrology.

Courses to be taught:

• ETHS 2440: Native American Experience

Education:

M.Ed Education with an emphasis in Higher Education and Leadership, Utah Valley University
B.S Ethnic Studies, minor in Gender Studies, University of Utah

Biography:

Christina Souknarong is an adjunct professor at SLCC for Ethnic Studies in the Psychology Department. Christina is a daughter of Laotian, Thai and Pakistani refugee immigrants from Laos. Her life quote she lives and teaches by is “the personal is political” ( audre lorde) as it is a reminder to center the work she does in every aspect of her life. She also actively believes being able to make education inclusive and accessible because, “if you can’t teach theory to your grandparents, then how do you dismantle the system.” (Yosimar Reyes, 2018). Christina has been an active member to the Asian American community for the last 10 years from working alongside student organizations at the University of Utah, to now volunteering for the Utah Asian Festival. Aside from her joy of teaching, Christina LOVES being a self-proclaimed foodie. She enjoys a meal that feels like it was cooked in someone's grandma’s house. When she isn’t eating something yummy, she is most likely curled up rewatching Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings or some old sitcom from the 2000’s.

Courses Taught

• SLSS 1000 – Essential College Study Skills
• ETHS 2400 – Intro to Ethnic Studies
• ETHS 2420 – Asian American Experiences

Education:

Ph.D., Public Health, University of California, Merced
MSPH, Public Health, University of California, Merced
B.S., Public Health, Westminster University
A.S., Biology, Salt Lake Community College

Biography:

Dr. Tashelle Wright is an adjunct professor of Ethnic Studies in the department of Psychology. She also teaches Life, Society, and Drugs as part of Exercise Science within the School of Mathematics, Science, and Engineering, and Kindergarten – 1st grade Black History for RISE Virtual Academy. Prior to teaching at SLCC, she taught Narrative Medicine, a gender studies/public health course and has led several education-based training courses at the University of Utah. As a doctoral student she taught public health and graduate school prep courses. Her passion is teaching and conducting research that is intersectional, culturally relevant, and community-based, and advancing health equity for all through advocacy. Dr. Wright is a proud first-generation, non-traditional college student. She loves being a mom, wife, sister, and auntie. She and her family love traveling together, playing board games and card games (current favorites are Magic: The Gathering and Uno), going bowling, and singing karaoke.

Courses Taught

• ETHS 2400: Introduction to Ethnic Studies (SS, DV)
• ETHS 2410: African American Experiences (SS, DV)
• HLTH 1050: Life, Society, and Drugs (IG)