Meet Us
Monique Matute-Chavarria, Ph.D.
Principal Investigator-Project E2
Dr. Monique Matute-Chavarria is an assistant professor of Special Education at New Mexico State University (NMSU). Before obtaining her Ph.D. in Special Education, she worked with Nevada Early Intervention Services, working with children from birth to three with disabilities. Dr. Matute-Chavarria identifies as a Black mother scholar and Afro-Latina; therefore, her research focuses on Black/Latinx children with disabilities and their families. She is multilingual (i.e., Spanish, English) with fluency in speaking, writing, and reading. She has also garnered $13,000 in internal grants at New Mexico State University and $2.5 million in federal grants. She serves on several committees and is committed to mentoring students from underrepresented backgrounds. Dr. Matute-Chavarria will support Project E2 administration activities, teach courses on Project E2 program of study, advise and mentor scholars, and supervise students during practicums.
Minea Armijo Romero, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator-Project E2
Dr. Minea Armijo Romero is an Assistant Professor at the College of Teacher Preparation Administration and Leadership at NMSU. She is multilingual (i.e., Spanish, English) with fluency in speaking, writing, and reading. Holding a Ph.D. in Language Literacy and Sociocultural Studies from the University of New Mexico, Dr. Armijo Romero has been an educator in K-12 settings in New Mexico since 2006, primarily focusing on bilingual programs, dual language instruction, and bilingual education. Her extensive experience spans K-12 and university environments, including teaching at the Central New Mexico Community College and the Universidad Autónoma de Ciudad Juárez in the Department of Visual Arts. Dr. Armijo Romero's research explores transnationalism, translingual practices, border theory, intercultural education, and bilingual education in indigenous communities of rural México and New Mexico. Beyond her academic commitments, she is actively involved in national-level consulting work in biliteracy. Dr. Armijo Romero will support Project E2 development, create a multilingual course offered in Spanish, and work with affiliated faculty and scholars.
Anita Hernandez, Ph.D.
Co-Principal Investigator-Project E2.
Dr. Anita Hernández is a language, literacy, and culture professor, the Don and Sarah Kidd Endowed Chair for Literacy, and the interim Associate Dean of Research at New Mexico State University. Dr. Hernández was a bilingual primary grade school teacher working with bilingual learners and their families. She identifies as a Mexican/Latina Spanish-English bilingual scholar. Dr. Hernández completed her Ph.D. at Stanford University, where she studied language and literacy, bilingualism, and sociolinguistics. Dr. Hernández was a P.I. on National Professional Development grants in California and New Mexico. She has mentored numerous bilingual teachers to earn their M.A. degrees and to serve the needs of Spanish-English bilingual children and their families. She has partnered with Chicano Programs to implement a Mother-Daughter Generaciones project and a Tech Goes Home/Tecnología para familias project with Spanish-speaking parents in local schools. Dr. Hernández will support Project E2 program development and assist with the evaluation plan.
Gabe Garner
Program Manager
Gabe Garner is Diné (Navajo) and is Hónágháahnii (One who walks around) clan born for bilagáana (anglo). As an undergraduate student pursuing his Baccalaureate in Business Administration, Gabe is dedicated to serving as an ambassador for Diné people here in Las Cruces. He has over 10 years of experience in finance and procurement with Sanders Unified School District, located on the border of the Navajo reservation. In his spare time, he enjoys outdoor activities with his family and cohosts a popular podcast with his spouse. Gabe is recognized for his ambitions in the reclamation and education of Indigenous culture, tradition, and heritage.