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Name: Luis Fernando Macías
Title: Associate Professor
Department: Chicano and Latin American Studies
Academic Degrees:

• B.A. Spanish/Translation, University of Texas at El Paso
• M.A. Cross Cultural and International Education, Bowling Green State University
• Ph.D. Multicultural and Equity Studies in Education, The Ohio State University

How long have you worked at Fresno State? I have worked here since August 2017, so I just passed my five year mark.

What is your most notable accomplishment in your field, and why was it important? I am proud to have been publishing in two top tier academic journals in my field: The Journal of Higher Education and Equity & Excellence in Education. It’s important to me because too often faculty, specifically faculty of color, at teaching institutions, are believed to not be involved in research that shapes our respective fields. Publications like these show the reality, which is that we are not only diligently working with students but we’re also impacting the research cannon at the same time.

What are you most passionate about in your position and why? I feel very fortunate to have the opportunity to mentor and share a classroom with incredibly bright minds. Their dedication motivates me to consistently provide the most informative, challenging, and relevant class possible. I’m passionate about always trying to find ways to have students look forward to coming to class.

In terms of my research, I am adamant that research is a critical component in changing inequitable practices and policies. So, when I write, I don’t do it just for the sake of publishing, but rather so that people in important positions of power will learn from this research and use it to change practice and policies.

What is a memorable moment you had at your job? My most memorable moments are when students reach out to me (via email, or drop in at office hours) to let me know that they got the job they wanted, or the scholarship they applied for. I value those moments because I remember the excitement and nervousness when they were initially applying for those opportunities and seeing the joy and belief in themselves when they achieved that goal is my most rewarding professional moments.

What is a memorable moment you had in class, and what does that reveal about your teaching style? I value every time a student shares with me that they are making a personal connection to the material that we're covering in class. I have had students say that they (or family members) have personal experience with what they were assigned for class. That's really important, because when that happens it enriches the classroom discussion and it helps remind students that their stories are important. It is my hope that if students share their experiences that they feel that our classroom is a supportive and welcoming space.

What is the most interesting or unusual job you've ever had? I’ve had a lot of odd jobs and temporary work. As an undergrad, I was a food vendor at football games walking up and down the aisles selling food and drinks. My tray almost as heavy as I was. It was very demanding work but it was great to see people enjoying the game. Moral of that story is be kind (and tip well) to folks proving that service, they’re walking all over so you don’t miss a moment of the game.

What do you like to do for fun in your spare time? I love being outdoors with my family when the weather permits it. I love exploring California, the Central Valley and all the surrounding areas: hiking, going to the beaches, historic sites, all of those things. There's so much diversity here that I love exploring in my spare time.

Dr. Luis Fernando Macías with his wife and children at a pumpkin patch.

What is something interesting about you that most people don’t know? I’d love to join a spicy food eating contest one day. Hasn’t happened yet but hopefully soon.