Dr. Olivia Muñoz “Show Up Authentically, the Power of Art for Resistance, and Putting Pen to Paper for Individual and Communal Self-Care”
In episode 17, Dr. Olivia Munoz centers authenticity, the power of art for resistance, and putting pen-to-paper for individual and communal self-care. Showing up as your authentic self and the potential risks and consequences unique to each of our contexts and identities. Dr. Munoz addresses cultural capital of first-generation, working class, and communities of color from an asset-based approach, affirming that students bring tremendous cultural capital to colleges and universities. She uplifts the importance of individual and communal self-care and shares some of her preferred practices of self-care. She concludes by encouraging professionals today to seek opportunities, particularly doctoral opportunities and engaging in dissertation research you’re passionate about for colleagues of color.
About Dr. Olivia Muñoz:
Olivia Muñoz is an interdisciplinary student affairs professional with nearly a decade of experience in residential education and social justice programming. She currently serves as the Director of Residential Life & Community Standards at Mills College, a historically women’s institution in Oakland, California. Her experience includes student activism development, support for undocumented students, first-generation scholars, and community art projects. She has also presented nationally on the use of testimonio as an educational research methodology, art activism, and Latinas in student affairs. Olivia recently graduated with her doctorate in International and Multicultural Education from the University of San Francisco. She was born and raised in Saginaw, Michigan, and considers herself a blue collar scholar.
Show Highlights:
- Listen to what it means to Olivia to be a “blue collar scholar” 06:52
- Hear more about the current work he is engaging in 14:18
- Olivia tells us more about how she began on her path putting her passion into action 24:34
- Shares some resources for other college professionals 27:55
- Connect with the simple but poignant lessons Olivia has learned 32:05
- Shares a piece of guidance to college inclusion professionals 37:31
Notable Quotes:
- “I saw the power of a college education not just inside the classroom, which I also loved…but I loved everything beyond the classroom equally. That is where I was able to take passion, rage, interest, and really put it into action on my campus.” 25:17
- “It’s hard to be authentic depending on where you work and what your identities are or what people perceive you to be. We’ve got to do it anyway.” 32:23
- “I try to journal every morning as a brain dump…to process and work things out. It’s a safe practice to let out feelings I might not want to put on social or say to a person that I’m ashamed of expressing for some reason.” 39:48
- Inspirational quote from Sandra Cisneros:
- “I’ve put up with too much, too long, and now I’m just too intelligent,
too powerful,
too beautiful,
too sure of who I am finally to deserve anything less.” 51:14
- “I’ve put up with too much, too long, and now I’m just too intelligent,
Links Mentioned:
- United We Dream
- “Whose Culture Has Capital?” article By Tara J. Yosso
- Youth Speaks
- The Read podcast
- This American Life podcast
- On Being podcast
- Code Switch podcast
- Latino USA podcast
- Connect with Olivia:
Subscribe to our listserv
Want free resources, tips, and tools?
