Dr. Amanda Ellis is Assistant Professor of English in the Department of English at the University of Houston where she teaches courses on Mexican American Literature and Culture, U.S. Latina/o/x Literature, American Literature, and American Women Writers.
She earned her BS from Barry University, an MA in Ethnic Studies from San Francisco State University, and a MA and PhD from Rice University. Her research interests include: Ethnic Studies, Chicana/Latina Feminist Theory, U.S. Women of Color Feminism(s), Medical Humanities, Chicanx YA, Multi-Ethnic Literature, and Literary Theory.
Personal Statement
As a researcher and educator, I am one of very few female professors of color that my students will ever encounter. My mere presence enacts a paradigm shift for many students.
This matters.
I am specifically located at an HSI, a Hispanic Serving Institution, so I look like many of my students, I was reared in the same neighborhoods as many of my students, and we often have very similar shared cultural experiences given that I was raised by immigrant parents.
These specificities help to foster connections with my students. My research and experience with Chicana Feminism clears the space for me to conceive of personhood as mindbodyspirit. As a result my goal is always to show up as an educator who honors the fullness of who my students are in mindbodyspirit. Its an ethical commitment, a praxis that I live out.
My courses are often beloved because they are challenging but also because in them my goal is always to provide sanctuary and encourage students to see themselves as scholars in training.