Heidi L. Barajas is an associate professor in the Department of Postsecondary Teaching and Learning. She received her B.A. in Spanish and education, and a master’s degree in sociology from the University of Utah. She received a Ph.D. in sociology from the University of Minnesota as a National Science Foundation Fellow. In addition to her work in PSTL, Dr. Barajas is an affiliate with the Department of Organizational Leadership, Policy, and Development.

Currently, Dr. Barajas serves as the Associate Dean for Engagement and Faculty Development in CEHD. One of her goals as Associate Dean is to build an understanding of engagement as a mechanism through which the goals of CEHD and the University are accomplished. Engagement as a mechanism to accomplish world-class research and teaching includes thoughtful and intentional relationships with the various communities with whom we work as well as developing new models for research that will address large social issues in our local, national and global world.

Dr. Barajas’ scholarly work focuses on institutional issues surrounding access and equity. The research, which focuses on student success in historically underrepresented groups, considers the impact on student success of the underlying assumption that public institutions are race neutral, or color-blind spaces. Another area of publication considers how innovative and engaged pedagogy such as Universal Instructional Design may increase higher education’s capacity to support all student learning.

Research and teaching are integrated through Dr. Barajas use of service learning as a classroom pedagogy. Her classes engage in community work with long-term community partnerships, which Dr. Barajas believes is the best way to provide students with the opportunity to actually learn how to be productive and involved citizens in a quickly changing demographic America. Personal observation and participation in the real world through service learning not only enhances the rigorous academic material presented in a course, but also is matchless as a tool to achieve mastery and application of course material.

Dr. Barajas has the privilege to be connected with many community organizations and projects. One of her most prized relationships is as a board member of Hope Community, Inc., with whom she has created a partnership for research on this unique organizational model. All of her research, teaching, and community involvement are a reflection of my life as a mother of four amazing children and four equally amazing grandchildren.