Gabriela Vitela, PhD (she/her/hers)

Hola everyone! 

My name is Dr. Gabriela Vitela and I’m the Director of Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion here at Doña Ana Community College. I was born in Los Angeles and grew up in the DFW area. I’m a first-generation college student and proud daughter of Mexican immigrants. I earned a Bachelor’s degree in Government and History from Texas A&M University - Commerce (Go Lions!) before earning a Master’s degree and a Ph.D. in Political Science from Louisiana State University in Baton Rouge where I studied race and gender in American Politics.  

I’ve taught college courses on everything from American Government to Campaigns & Elections as well as Race and the Law and State & Local Politics. In addition to being a professor, I’ve worked in market research and politics, mostly working to reach Hispanic and African American communities in the US.   

I bring all of my experiences as a bilingual, first-generation, working-class Latina to my role as EDI Director. I faced many struggles due to not knowing the ‘hidden curriculum’ in my education and bring that perspective to working at DACC. My goal is to help faculty and staff create and enact equitable and inclusive policies in their work to help students to feel they are supported both academically and socially on the road to their degrees. I want every student at DACC to know they belong at this school and in higher education.   

In my free time you can find me at the farmer’s market with my family and our dog Donnie Iris. I also participate in several book clubs both here in Las Cruces and online.