The Ethnic Studies Department has the most diverse teaching faculty and staff on campus. With classes like Race and Mass Incarceration, Black Girl Magic, Latinx/Chicanx Studies, and Asian American Studies (just to name a few), the department offers uniquely important learning. Gaining invaluable knowledge about different communities—their histories, their current realities, and their future—has the power to make us better community members.

Santa Clara's past three valedictorians were all Ethnic Studies majors.

Angel Lin '23

Kendall Moore '22

Haley Howard '21

Seeking answers to the most timely and important social justice issues, Ethnic Studies empowers every student with a vital understanding of their changing world.

About Our Program

We offer three new minors in Ethnic Studies:

...in addition to the existing Ethnic Studies Major and Minor

Academic Program

Ethnic Studies completely changed my experience at SCU. These are the best professors on campus and I have never felt as affirmed and engaged as I have in an Ethnic Studies classroom. It has made me a better student.

Faculty & Staff

Department Chair

Teaching Professor
Allia Griffin

Academic Department Manager

Academic Department Manager
Pauline Nguyen
408-554-4472 | St. Joseph's Hall 108

All Faculty and Staff

Jesica Fernández published her first book Growing Up Latinx: Coming of Age in a Time of Contested Citizenship (New York University Press).

James Lai recently published his book Asian American Connective Action in the Age of Social Media (Temple University Press).

Tony Hazard's book Postwar Anti-racism: The U.S., Unesco and "Race," 1945-1968 explores the discourse and practice of anti-racism in the first two decades following World War II.

Anna Sampaio's book Terrorizing Latina/o Immigrants: Race, Gender, and Immigration Politics in the Age of Security, received the 2016 American Political Science Award for the best new book in Latina/o politics.