University of Richmond’s Karina Vázquez Receives National Award for Undergraduate Research Mentorship

UNIVERSITY OF RICHMOND — University of Richmond’s Karina Vázquez, who teaches in the department of Latin American, Latino, and Iberian studies and is the director of community-based learning for LALIS, has received the 2024 Arts and Humanities Faculty Mentor Award from the Council on Undergraduate Research.

Awarded to a single faculty member from CUR-member institutions, this award recognizes exemplary faculty mentors of undergraduate researchers in the arts and humanities fields. 

“Karina’s unique approach of combining community-based learning with professional development clearly has resulted in positive student research outcomes,” said Jennifer Cavenaugh, dean of the School of Arts & Sciences. “Perhaps more importantly, though, she has made her students more culturally aware, professionally prepared, empowered, and eager contributors to the bettering of our community.”

“I am passionate about engaging students in arts and humanities research that seeks to respond to key questions while addressing challenges faced by local communities,” said Vázquez. “Mentoring students who are passionate about social change and helping them hone their research skills to achieve a better comprehension of how representation and power intersect through social dynamics renews my commitment to the profession.”

Vázquez has taught at UR since 2016. Research by her undergraduate mentees includes papers published in VA Engage Journal and LatinxTalk.

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