San Rafael Catholic church

Latinx Oral History Lab

Mission

The Latinx Oral History Lab, nestled within the College of Integrative Sciences and Arts (CISA) at ASU, stands as a beacon of cultural storytelling and academic excellence. In alignment with ASU's designation as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI), our mission is to amplify Latinx voices from the East Valley and beyond, capturing the rich tapestry of experiences that form the core of our community's narrative.

About us

Our lab is more than a repository of tales; it is a crucible where storytelling is honored as both an art and a science. Co-directed by esteemed scholars Associate Professor Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez and Assistant Professor Rafael Martínez, the lab is a collaborative effort that stitches together the past and present to inspire a more inclusive future.

Logo for the Latin-x Oral History Lab at A-S-U

Co-directors

Our interdisciplinary team brings a unique perspective from Latinx spirituality to media studies and health determinants. Together, we explore the interwoven aspects of Latinx identity, contributing to a more nuanced understanding of our community.

Associate Professor Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez smiling with long, grey-streaked hair and wearing dark-framed glasses.

Associate Professor Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez

Associate Professor Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez brings the Following the Manito Trail project to life, tracing Hispanic New Mexican migration and its cultural impact. Her work in rural eastern Arizona has been supported by various grants and fellowships, including the University of New Mexico Center for Regional Studies, the Whiting Foundation, the ASU Humanities Institute, and the University of Texas at Austin. 

Assistant Professor Rafael Martínez wearing a light brown blazer and white shirt smiles at the camera against a light gray background.

Assistant Professor Rafael Martínez

Assistant Professor Rafael Martínez leads the community-based oral history projects, Querencia Chandler and East Valley Veterans, capturing the voices of Latinx resilience and ethnic veterans in the East Valley. Additionally, Martínez is also the founder of the immigrant rights podcast: UndocuTalks.

Rafael Martinez standing at the querencia exhibit

Community-based history project expands to include stories of East Valley veterans

Thanks to Arizona State University Assistant Professor Rafael Martinez's community-based history project, the full picture of the East Valley’s rich history is becoming clearer.

Older woman sitting in a lecture hall with other people

Students bridge past, present in Chandler history exhibit

'Querencia,' an oral project by Arizona State University's History of the American Southwest class, tells the creative interpretations of the stories from Latino residents by the students in the class.

Co-Director Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez conducts an interview in English and Spanish with Domitilia (Tilly) García in Concho, Arizona.

Living and documenting the power of place drives ASU scholar Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez

Associate Professor Vanessa Fonseca-Chávez was award a Whiting Public Engagement Seed Grant worth $10,000 to jump-start a community engagement project examining how Hispanic communities in northeastern Arizona understand their idea of place, or querencia.

 

 

Support

Engagement opportunities

  • Community Members: Participate in oral history interviews and contribute to the preservation of Latinx narratives
  • Students: Become a research fellow through IDS 401 or consider a project with the Latinx Oral History Lab as an internship or Barrett thesis project.
  • Faculty: Become an affiliate faculty of the lab 

Funding and development

  • Donate to the Latinx Oral History Lab Fund
  • Support our quest for funding to bring specialized projects to life.
  • Assist in establishing co-created endeavors with our local communities to strengthen communal ties.
Wade Niederhauser

I'm excited to work with the CISA Latinx Oral History Lab at ASU because of their impactful and collaborative work with the community. Also, the unique ability to capture the passion and perspective from different people's life stories and display them to the public and for future generations to see is truly inspiring work.

Wade Niederhauser IDS 401 Research Fellow Fall 2024

Affiliated faculty

Manuel Aviles-Santiago

Manuel Aviles-Santiago

Vice Dean and Professor,
CISA - Leadership

Lora Key

Lora Key

Assistant Teaching Professor,
CISA - School of Applied Sciences and Arts

Kathryn Lankford

Kathryn Lankford

Assistant Teaching Professor,
CISA - School of Applied Sciences and Arts

Fabio Suzart de Albuquerque

Fabio Suzart de Albuquerque

Associate Professor,
CISA - School of Applied Sciences and Arts

Anita Huizar-Hernandez

Anita Huizar-Hernández

Associate Professor,
School of International Letters and Cultures

Matthew Sandoval

Mathew Sandoval

Deans Fellow & Honors Faculty Fellow,
Barrett Honors Faculty

Lorena Cuya Gavilano

Lorena Cuya Gavilano

Associate Professor,
CISA - School of Applied Sciences and Arts

Gabriella Soto

Gabriella Soto

Assistant Teaching Professor & Honors Faculty Fellow,
Barrett Honors Faculty

Monica De La Torre

Monica De La Torre

Associate Professor,
School of Transborder Studies

Abby Wheatley

Abby Wheatley

Associate Teaching Professor MY and Honors Faculty Fellow,
Barrett Honors College

A-S-U Associate Professor Stephanie Lechuga Peña

Stephanie Lechuga Peña

Associate Professor
School of Social Work (SSW)

A-S-U Associate Professor Gloria Cuadraz

Gloria Cuadraz

Associate Professor
School of Humanities, Arts and Cultural Studies

Location

Centrally located at the ASU Polytechnic campus in Santa Catalina Hall (SANCA) 230A, next to the CRUX Lab, our doors are open for collaboration, conversation and community engagement.

Connect with us

We're here to engage, listen and collaborate. Visit us at ASU Polytechnic campus, Santa Catallina Hall (SANCA) 230A, or reach out through our social media and contact details. Your story is our history — let's preserve it with the honor it deserves. Become an advocate for the Latinx narrative. Partner with us to expand the horizons of Latinx representation in academia and beyond. Your insights, stories, and support are the keystones of our endeavor. Together, let's weave a tapestry of stories that span continents and generations.

Contact us