Project Contributor Bios

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Dr. Emily Summers, Principal Investigator & Grant Director

Dr. Emily Summers is an Associate Professor who joined Texas State University's Department of Curriculum & Instruction in 2005. Her primary research interests are in the ethnographic examination of the contexts of education. Her scholarship emphasizes issues of equity in education including studying children and youth cultures as well as the intersections of formal and informal cultures in constructing educative experiences.

Alyssa Garza, GRA & Student Director for Website Management

For Alyssa Garza, social studies is one of the countless way- and perhaps one of the best ways- of opening doors between different people and cultures. She is currently pursuing a M.S in Applied Sociology. She is also working towards earning a certification to teach English, language arts, and social studies. She earned her BS in applied sociology with a minor in psychology from Texas State University in 2012. Her research interests include issues of promoting higher education, health disparities among Latinos, educational equity and LGBTQ rights.

In addition to her work on this project Alyssa also serves as the graduate research assistant for the Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies. At the center she works as the editorial assistant for the Journal of Research on Women and Gender and assists with their various workshops and events year round.

She was born and raised in Laredo, Texas and now calls San Marcos her home. On her spare time she enjoys crafting and spending time with her family.

Brandy B. Alba, Doctoral GRA

Brandy Alba earned her Master’s degree in literature with a cognate in rhetoric and composition from Texas State University, where she is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in developmental education, specializing in post-secondary literacy. As an undergraduate, Brandy majored in English with a minor in history at Concordia University Texas. Her current research projects include investigating methods for improving outcomes for Latino males in developmental English courses, and she has presented previous research at the International Research Conference for Graduate Students in San Marcos, the American Studies Association of Texas Conference in San Angelo, and the Native American Literature Symposium in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

In addition to her full-time endeavors as a doctoral student, Brandy joyously serves as an Assistant Professor of English and Undergraduate Writing Coordinator at Concordia University Texas. She resides in Dripping Springs with her husband, Josh, and their three greatest blessings: Tyler, Hayden, and Katy.

Mark Rockeymoore, Doctoral GRA

Mark Rockeymoore is an ABD PhD in Geography Education. He holds a Master's degree in Environmental Geography from Indiana University - Bloomington and a Bachelor's in Geography from Prairie View A&M University. Mark has taught classes in geography for over 10 years in colleges and universities around the country and has worked as a geographic information systems (GIS) analyst for corporations and city-governments.

Erika P. Ruymgaart, Former Grant GRA

Erika Ruymgaart is currently pursuing an M.A. in Spanish at Texas State University. She has presented her work, “La representación de la mujer en las obras de Jose Joaquin Fernandez de Lizardi” at the University of Arizona’s 20th Annual Graduate and Professional Symposium on Hispanic and Luso-Brazilian Literature, Language, and Culture. Prior to her graduate studies, she had earned a bachelor’s degree in Radio-TV-Film at The University of Texas at Austin and has varied work experience including serving victims of Domestic Violence and Sexual Assault in several capacities.

Raised in Brownsville, Texas, Erika now lives with her husband in Austin. She has recently been honored with both an award during National Crime Victims' Rights Week for outstanding service on behalf of victims of crime and by selection to Leadership Launch, a program of The Foundation for Women’s Resources which identifies and benefits local emerging women leaders. She has volunteered translation services to The Brownsville Children’s Clinic, Mexic-Arte Museum and Casa Marianella amongst other organizations

Elyse Zavar, Former Grant GRA

Elyse Zavar is an ABD doctoral candidate in the Environmental Geography program at Texas State University with a research focus in hazards and disaster management. She is interested in the long-term impacts of disasters and how communities and individuals rebuild from these events. Her current research projects explore the political, social, cultural and environmental factors that shape disaster recovery, reconstruction and mitigation. Elyse holds a Masters in Geography from the University of California Los Angeles and a Bachelors in Geology/ Latin American Cultural Studies from the College of Wooster. While pursuing her degree, Elyse has taught a range of introductory and advanced geography courses at Texas State. In her free time, she enjoys traveling and spending time with her family, friends, and spoiled dog.

Andrew P. Cortez, CPA

Andrew is a retired Certified Public Accountant where he has worked as director of accounting, business manager, chief financial officer and controller for various state agencies, corporations and nonprofits. He is currently enjoying a stint in the College of Education as a budget specialist and also volunteers for various college events and mentoring at the university. Andrew assists with grant fiscal matters.

Stephanie M. Finau, Doctoral GRA

Stephanie is a doctoral candidate in the program of Developmental Education at Texas State University. Stephanie earned her Master’s degree in developmental education, specializing in post-secondary literacy. Her current research projects include investigating equitable practices in postsecondary classrooms. Stephanie resides in the Dallas area with her husband Siaosi, son Sekina, and pets Dexter and Cocoa.

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