Humanities Conference Highlight | Marylinda Gonzalez

Q: What drew you to this conference/presentation?

A: I was introduced to this conference by my mentor, Dr. Ed Munoz. We first presented at NACCS in San Francisco in 2024. For our 2025 conference, Dr. Munoz gave me the opportunity to be the lead presenter. This was a great honor for me. NACCS was created during the Chicano Civil Rights Movement in 1972-1973. Since then, it has served as an organization for Chicano scholars, activists, students, and community organizers. Paramount figures in the field of Chicano/a Studies have presented at NACCS before, such as Gloria Anzaldúa, Elizabeth "Betita" Martínez, and Cherríe Moraga. Being able to present at a conference that housed the greats was extremely rewarding.

Q: What skills did you have going into this conference? How has this experience helped build on them?

A: I feel this conference was a great way to build my networking skills. I connected with professors, other students, and community organizers. These new connections are spread across the country. The connections I made are people I maintain contact with.

Q: Is there a specific project/assignment you worked on that led you to this opportunity? If so, what was it?

A: This presentation was a culmination of the project I began in twe he Undergraduate Research Opportunity Program (UROP). Two semesters of UROP, a summer of SPUR, the Summer Program for Undergraduate Research, and then a third semester funded through the Francis Family Fund allowed me to work on my research until graduation. I feel lucky that the U had so many opportunities for me to continue working on the same project for an extended period of time. It was a very different experience from regular classes, where you have just one semester to work on a final.

Q: What has been the most helpful advice you've gotten from a professor during this experience?

A: My mentor advised me to practice my entire presentation in the mirror. I worried about going over time, and it was making my presentation come off as jittery and nervous. Timing myself and practicing in front of the mirror allowed me to make sure I was speaking confidently, not rushed.

Q: Do you have any advice for other students looking into similar opportunities?

A: Talk to professors who have similar research interests to you. They can help you find conferences that are a good fit for you and your work! I would also suggest using as many resources as you can to fund your conference travel expenses. I received a mix of funding from the Office of Undergraduate Research, my department, and my college/school. The conference itself may even have fellowships and scholarships for student travel, so be sure to explore.

Q: How did you apply for this opportunity? Walk us through the process please!

A: NACCS had an initial deadline of December 2nd for proposals. Since I was in UROP during the fall semester, my mentor and I made working on my proposal a part of my workload. We were then notified of our acceptance on January 30th. After being accepted, in addition to working on my presentation, I had to create a budget, register for the conference, book my hotel, and book my flights.

Q: Anything else you would like to share about your experience?

A: At this conference, I had the opportunity to hear Cherríe Moraga speak. This was probably the most exciting part of the conference. Moraga has been someone who I've read since the start of my journey in Chicano/a Studies. She is constantly cited by my professors, and her contributions to the field cannot be understated. Having the opportunity to hear her speak in the flesh felt like a full-circle moment as the conference took place during my last semester of undergrad. To see that she is continuing to do the work that she has been doing for decades, while I am at the start of my career, was inspiring.