Latinx Intelligentsia

Dra. Michelle Espino Lira

This bi-weekly podcast is dedicated to uplifting Latinx/a/o students, administrators, faculty, and stakeholders in higher education. La Profesora, Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, focuses on the ways in which we can uplift our gente to and through higher education so we can all thrive.

  1. 148 Hours While the World is Burning

    FEB 17

    148 Hours While the World is Burning

    Ep 55 La Profesora shares the often unseen process behind publishing academic work as a Latina scholar in higher education. Reflecting on her latest publication, La Profesora shares the journey of writing, mentoring, setbacks, and personal challenges that shaped the manuscript over the course of three years and 148 hours of dedicated work. From balancing teaching, advising, and community action to coping with personal loss and supporting students through their own research journeys, her work shines a light on the realities faced by Latinx/e student affairs professionals. She candidly discusses how these professionals are often expected to overwork and educate peers on inclusion, all while navigating under-resourced offices and systemic inequities. Listeners will gain practical advice on leveraging research datasets, collaborating with students, and managing the complex timeline from idea to publication. This episode is a powerful reminder to find meaning in scholarship, embrace the humanity in academic work, and uplift Latinx/e voices.  Here's a link to a free copy of La Profesora's article. Support John Lira's Congressional Campaign! Donate here!

    19 min
  2. Save EDAD!

    09/28/2025

    Save EDAD!

    Ep. 54 La Profesora turns the spotlight on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where a sweeping new budget proposal threatens to eliminate the Department of Educational Administration (EDAD)—the only department in the state dedicated to preparing educational leaders. Joined by Dra. Crystal Garcia, we unpack the personal and professional toll of fighting for a department's survival, the problematic data metrics driving these decisions, and what's truly at stake for current students, alumni, and the broader Nebraska community. Find out how you can support the EDAD community, and join us as we advocate for the critical work of nurturing future educational leaders—because what's happening at Nebraska could soon become a trend across the nation. www.saveedad.com https://cehs.unl.edu/edad/home/

    28 min
  3. Ep 53 Ya Basta!

    09/15/2025

    Ep 53 Ya Basta!

    Ep. 53 La Profesora discusses the urgent challenges facing Latinx/e and marginalized communities today. She shines a light on pressing issues such as the ongoing crisis in Palestine, the targeting of Black leaders and communities in major cities, and the troubling dismantling of DEI initiatives and social programs in higher education. With honesty and vulnerability, La Profesora acknowledges our reality, discusses the importance of taking action in our neighborhoods, and reminds us that even small acts of support can make meaningful change. Amid calls for self-care and collective resilience, our gente are encouraged to find a way to contribute—whether by showing up, funding crucial organizations, or just taking time to recharge. Join us as we confront the complexities of our times, support one another, and continue uplifting Latinx voices on the journey to a more just future. ¡Adelante, mi gente! John Lira for Texas-35 Afrolatin@ Forum Latino Equality Alliance National Day Laborer Organization Network Radical Monarchs Immigrants Rising Intercultural Developmental Research Association Refugee Women's Network Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (PCUN, Oregon) Latino Network (Oregon) Casa Azul de Wilson (North Carolina) Climb Hire Common Future Brookline for Racial Justice & Equity UN Crisis Relief: The Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund   TIMESTAMPS 00:00 Navigating Today's Unprecedented Challenges 03:24 Funding Cuts Impact DEI Research 07:23 Support Nonprofits for Local Change

    9 min

  4. 10/30/2024

    La Profesora's Sidenote on Higher Ed/Student Affairs Doctoral Admissions

    Ep. 52 As La Profesora, Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, slowly returns to the podcasting space, we thought it would be helpful to talk about the daunting world of doctoral program admissions. In this Sidenote, La Profesora offers invaluable insights and practical tips for making informed decisions about your doctoral journey to and through Higher Education & Student Affairs doctoral programs. This episode includes shout outs to inspiring mujeres on Instagram who are empowering Latinx voices in graduate education, a critical discussion on the necessity of diverse faculty in higher education, and reflections on the ongoing global and domestic challenges facing higher education institutions today. There's also guidance on developing meaningful relationships with faculty, the importance of having a burning question to drive your dissertation, and the essential elements to include in your personal statement. Whether you are considering enrolling full-time or part-time (listen to Ep. 34 "It's Really Full-Time Full-Time"), this episode covers everything from funding and assistantships to balancing personal commitments and academic pursuits. Shout Outs! Follow these amazing Doctoras and Future Doctoras on Instagram: Future Dra. Jennifer Cabrera @academiclatina Dra. Yvette Martinez-Vu @gradschoolfemtoring Future Dra. Valerie Gomez @latinagradguide Future Dra. Christina Rodriguez @latinaswithmasters Future Dra. Aide Hernandez @gradconmigo Make sure to leave a 5-star review if you listen on Apple Podcasts or Spotify and spread the word about Latinx Intelligentsia! Adelante mi gente!

    19 min

  5. 08/04/2023

    In Memoriam

    Ep 51 This episode is dedicated to Mrs. Ramona Espino, who was and remains a brilliant light in La Profesora's heart.  La Profesora talks about what it means to live in, through, and around grief. Through this profound loss, there lies opportunity for deep reflection about "being as doing". So often, life on these academic streets is a flurry of activity--always on to the next project, the next grant, the next opportunity to do that humble brag.  And what La Profesora asks of herself and all of us is to disentangle the doing of academic life so that we can be our whole selves without clinging to a system that will never be satisfied.  La Profesora encourages us to reflect on these questions: Who am I without the doing? How can I center my well-being as I move along these busy academic streets? How can I celebrate where I am right now without focusing on what is next? How can I honor my process just as it is? Thank you for supporting Michelle and this podcast! We will be back with more episodes soon. Adelante, mi gente!

    18 min

  6. 02/06/2023 ·  BONUS

    Back in the Day Replay: Dra. Melissa Abeyta

    It's a Back in the Day Replay, ya'll! La Profesora is giving flowers to Dra. Melissa Abeyta, the creator and host of the Scholar Homies Podcast: The Story is to be Told, Not Sold, Conversations with the Soul. We talk about her transition to the University of Texas-Rio Grande Valley, the legacy she is building alongside her colegxs y Scholar Homies, Dr. Anacany Torres, Dr. Oscar Duran, and newly-minted Dr. Joe Louis Hernandez (who was featured in Ep 40) to support formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students. She envisions resources and support that cultivate the prison-to-college pipeline. You can listen to the original episode here. We also have exciting news! We now have a Patreon page, which is a platform that helps YOU support creators like ME! Join our Colegas Crew and contribute monthly to support our Poet-in-Residence & in Resistencia honoriarium and help La Profesora edit the fantastic episodes! Check out our page here! To cite this podcast episode: Espino, M. M. (Host). (2023, February 6). Back in the day replay: Dra. Melissa Abeyta (Bonus Episode). [Audio podcast episode]. In Latinx Intelligentsia. https://latinxintelligentsia.libsyn.com Check out Dra. Abeyta's work! Abeyta, M, Torres, A., Hernandez, J. L., & Duran, O. (2021). Rising scholars: A case study of two community colleges serving formerly incarcerated and system-impacted students. Journal of Applied Research in the Community College, 28(1), 99-109. https://www.naspa.org/division/formerly-incarcerated-students-and-system-impacted-families-knowledge-community https://academicsoul.com

    29 min

  7. 01/23/2023

    Celebrating the 50th Episode!

    Wow, ya'll! We're kicking off Season 7 by celebrating 50 episodes that showcase the amazing work that our gente are doing in higher education! We have a special guest host, future Dra. Nancy Camarillo who offers fantastic reflection questions for La Profesora. Our conversations takes us back to the early days of the podcast, lessons learned, and even some things that you didn't know about our host!  Special thanks to all our guests who took time to talk with us not only about their work in higher education, but about their lived experiences, family, and community. You cultivate the uplift every day! Gracias! Click here to read the full transcript! To cite from this episode, please use the following: Espino, M. M. (Host). (2023, January 23). Celebrating the 50th episode with future Dra. Nancy Camarillo (Episode 50). [Audio podcast episode]. In Latinx Intelligentsia. https://latinxintelligentsia.libsyn.com Gracias to all our listeners and supporters out there! You are helping make this dream a reality and we appreciate you! Be sure to keep nominating our gente to interview for the show! Send a DM @latinxuplift on Twitter, Facebook, or Instagram or fill out a form on our website!

    31 min

  8. 01/09/2023 ·  BONUS

    Back in the Day Replay: Dra. Gina Garcia

    La Profesora is coming back, ya'll! Thank you for your patience and support! As we prepare for a new season of the podcast, we want to give a shout out to an amazing scholar who is holding it down in the podcasting world: Dra. Gina Garcia! We were fortunate to have Dra. Garcia on the show in Episode 10: Beyond the HSI Designation con Dr. Andrés Castro Samayoa. We are excited about her new podcast, ¿Qué pasa, HSIs?  In this blast from the past, we talk about the process of writing Dra. Garcia's first book, Becoming Hispanic-Serving Institutions: Opportunities for Colleges and Universities, and how earning two post-docs helped to recenter her scholarly efforts and personal healing. You can learn more about Dra. Garcia's work at www.ginaanngarcia.com You can find the full transcript of our conversation on our podcast blog!

    27 min
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4.8
out of 5
42 Ratings

About

This bi-weekly podcast is dedicated to uplifting Latinx/a/o students, administrators, faculty, and stakeholders in higher education. La Profesora, Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, focuses on the ways in which we can uplift our gente to and through higher education so we can all thrive.

Information

  • Creator
    Dra. Michelle Espino Lira
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    59
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2019-2022
  • Show Website
    Latinx Intelligentsia

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