Equity in the Maya World: from traditional healing to supporting students of color in STEM fields

February 13, 2018 – 4-5:30pm – Argyros Forum 201 

Speaker: Andrea Medina

Chapman University's Center for Global Education, the Latinx & Latin American Studies Program, Department of Art, and the Advisory Group on the Status of Women welcome education and social justice advocate, Andrea Medina of Just Communities for an enriching discussion of her work creating better opportunities for students of color as they pursue careers in the STEM fields, as well as her doctoral research on the science of traditional medicine and healing in Maya communities. Her presentation will focus on the status of women in ancient and contemporary Mayan communities, issues of equity in today's Maya world, and her experience of the role equity plays in Zapatista life.

Andrea was born and raised in Yucatán, México, surrounded by the Maya culture. The values of dialogue, hard work, social justice, morals and courage where woven in her upbringing in the community. She earned a B.S. in Cell and Developmental Biology at UC Santa Bárbara with a minor in Anthropology, and an M.A. in Mesoamerican Studies at the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México. After living and working with families and schools in several indigenous communities throughout Mesoamerica, she decided to focus her Ph.D. research on the scientific processes behind traditional medicine and healing.

For more information contact Denise Johnson at denjohns@chapman.edu.