Dr. Lydia Cdebaca Cruz

Biography

Lydia CdeBaca-Cruz is a lecturer at the University of Texas at Austin, dedicated to addressing persistent equity gaps in higher education through decolonial curricular reform and faculty development. She teaches various courses related to American Literature and Mexican American Literature, with a particular focus on contemporary Latine Literature and Culture. Lydia is also a consultant and equity coach for Achieving the Dream, advocating for the role of community colleges and Tribal Colleges in fostering economically vibrant communities in the U.S. Prior to her current role, she coordinated the Ascender Program at Austin Community College and contributed to initiatives aimed at culturally responsive teaching, diversity, equity, and inclusion. She developed a significant course for faculty called 'Becoming Equity-Minded Instructor' that has gained wide recognition for its impact. Lydia's scholarly work includes a manuscript project that explores the decolonizing role of performative and collective acts of literacy inspired by Mesoamerican codices in contemporary Mexican American and Native American fiction. As a working-class Chicana and first-generation college graduate, her journey is a testament to the transformative power of education, influenced by her participation in the McNair Scholars Program at the University of Texas at Arlington. Lydia's personal life is intertwined with her professional aspirations, as she supports her family while pursuing her academic goals and engaging in community-oriented endeavors.

Research Interests

Courses