Viola Fuentes' Story of Academic Access and Personal Growth

In the last year, ASU doctoral student Viola Fuentes has gained a new perspective on the importance of diversity in higher education.

As the recipient of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE)/Lumina for Education Dissertation Fellowship, she was granted the financial support to continue her dissertation research on the policy design process of higher education strategies in California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas.

"This fellowship opens up a wealth of opportunities for a nontraditional minority student such as myself," Fuentes says. "It also reflects the potential that my research has to address higher education issues such as access and equity for ethnic minorities."

In November, Fuentes presented her research at the annual ASHE Conference in Philadelphia and this opportunity marked a defining moment in her educational career. As one of only eight 2005 ASHE/Lumina Fellows, she was part of an elite group of students from universities across the country, including Harvard and Stanford.

Fuentes' own story serves as a model of how enhancing access to postsecondary education can foster a students' academic and social growth. After transferring from New Mexico State University at Carlsbad, she received both her bachelor's and master's degrees from ASU.

In 2000, Fuentes was accepted into the Public Administration doctoral program within the School of Public Affairs. She also served as the co-chair of the Latino/a Graduate Student Alliance, and led the initiative to develop the first-ever LGSA Research Symposium to provide graduate students like herself with the opportunity to learn how to conduct purposeful research.

Now in her last year of her academic career, Fuentes is grateful for the knowledge and encouragement that she has received from her professors and credits them with helping her maintain her focus while working on her dissertation. "I feel as if I am now adequately prepared to pursue a teaching position at a four-year institution and seek other research funding," Fuentes says.


Lower Photo: Fuentes, right, poses with Vice Provost and Dean of Graduate Studies Maria T. Allison at the Latino/A Graduate Student Alliance Opening Reception. Allison was a guest speaker at the event.