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Department of Ethnic Studies

The Ethnic Studies Department has the most diverse teaching faculty and staff on campus. With classes like Race and Mass Incarceration, Black Girl Magic, Latinx/Chicanx Studies, and Asian American Studies (just to name a few), the department offers uniquely important learning. Gaining invaluable knowledge about different communities—their histories, their current realities, and their future—has the power to make us better community members.

Santa Clara's past three valedictorians were all Ethnic Studies majors.

Angel Lin
Angel Lin '23
Kendall Moore headshot
Kendall Moore '22
Haley Howard
Haley Howard '21

Seeking answers to the most timely and important social justice issues, Ethnic Studies empowers every student with a vital understanding of their changing world.

About Our Program

We offer three new minors in Ethnic Studies:

  1. Minor in Asian American Studies
  2. Minor in African American Studies
  3. Minor in Latina/o/x Studies

...in addition to the existing Ethnic Studies Major and Minor

Ethnic Studies completely changed my experience at SCU. These are the best professors on campus and I have never felt as affirmed and engaged as I have in an Ethnic Studies classroom. It has made me a better student.

Isa Montes '25

Faculty & Staff

Department Chair
Academic Department Manager
  • Pauline Nguyen
    Academic Department Manager

    408-554-4472 | St. Joseph's Hall 108

Photo of Jesica Fernandez
James Lai

James Lai recently published his book Asian American Connective Action in the Age of Social Media (Temple University Press).

Postwar Anti-racism: The U.S., Unesco and

Tony Hazard's book Postwar Anti-racism: The U.S., Unesco and "Race," 1945-1968 explores the discourse and practice of anti-racism in the first two decades following World War II.

Anna Sampaio

Anna Sampaio's book Terrorizing Latina/o Immigrants: Race, Gender, and Immigration Politics in the Age of Security, received the 2016 American Political Science Award for the best new book in Latina/o politics.

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