Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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The Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies is a community-centered academic unit grounded in the histories, activism, and educational missions that have shaped UT San Antonio. We foster a vibrant learning community where rigorous scholarship, creative inquiry, and community engagement converge to address social, cultural, linguistic, and educational issues.

Through innovative teaching, research, creative scholarship, and community engagement, we explore the intersections of language, education, race, ethnicity, gender, and sexuality from bicultural, bilingual, diasporic, decolonial, and intersectional perspectives. Committed to academic excellence and social responsibility, we prepare undergraduate and graduate students to become educators, researchers, scholars, advocates, public servants, and community leaders. Our graduates are equipped to serve and lead in schools, universities, nonprofit organizations, cultural institutions, public agencies, and other professional settings, where they work to contribute meaningfully to a just and democratic society.

Contact

Patricia Sánchez, Ph.D.

Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department Chair, Professor

BBL/REGSS

patricia.sanchez@utsa.edu

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Why Study Bicultural-Bilingual Studies?

• One of UTSA’s founding academic units
• Nationally ranked #2 in bilingual, multilingual, and multicultural education by Hispanic Outlook Magazine
• All professors in our department work with bilingual/multilingual communities
• Over 2 decades of preparing doctoral graduates
• Students in Texas schools speak over 120 languages

Learn more about BBL

Graduate Programs

We offer advanced training (master’s degrees) in bilingual and ESL teacher education as well as a Ph.D. in culture, literacy, and language. Check out these degrees and our certificates.

BBL Graduate Programs

Latest News

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July 20, 2026

Federal government certifies SAISD program that prepares HS students for teaching careers

Published by KSAT

Students at Travis Early College High School graduate with an associate’s degree, move onto a paid apprenticeship while finishing college.

May 15, 2026

Clinical teaching experience prepares UT San Antonio student for a career in the classroom despite major life setback

Published by UT San Antonio Today

COMMENCEMENT 2026: After a life-threatening career accident, Annalise Velasquez returned to her second-grade classroom placement at Gillette Elementary and will continue teaching in Harlandale ISD after graduation.

May 14, 2026

Commencement Q&A with Haira Hernandez

Published by UT San Antonio COEHD

Building Foundations in Two Languages

Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Faculty

Patricia Sánchez, Ph.D.

Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies Department Chair, Professor, BBL/REGSS

Sonya Alemán, Ph.D.

Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Carolina Arango-Vargas, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Lynda Cavazos, Ph.D.

Associate Professor of Practice, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Marco Cervantes, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Martha Sidury Christiansen, Ph.D.

Professor of Applied Linguistics/TESOL, Principal Investigator of Project RESPETO, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Rachel Cruz, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Lucila Ek, Ph.D.

Dr. Bertha Perez Endowed Distinguished Professorship in Biliteracy Research, Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

C. Alejandra Elenes, Ph.D.

Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Claudia Treviño García, Ph.D.

Professor of Instruction, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Gloria Gonzales, Ph.D.

Senior Lecturer, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Endia Hayes, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Kathryn Henderson, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

José Martínez Hinestroza, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Kevin Hirschi, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Gilberto P. Lara, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Kristen Lindahl, Ph.D.

Associate Dean for Strategic Partnership, Preparation and Growth, Professor, Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Glenn Martinez, Ph.D.

Dean, College of Liberal and Fine Arts, Stumberg Distinguished University Chair for the Dean of Liberal and Fine Arts, Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Isabel Martinez, Ph.D.

The Ellen Riojas Clark, PhD, Endowed Chair in Bicultural-Bilingual Studies, Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Sylvia Mendoza, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Bekisizwe Ndimande, Ph.D.

Professor, Interdisciplinary Learning and Teaching

Marc Perry, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Halee Robinson, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Mario Salas, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Practice, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Lilliana Patricia Saldaña, Ph.D.

Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Gabriella V. Sanchez, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Daniela Silva, Ph.D.

Assistant Professor of Instruction, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Jorge Solís, Ph.D.

Professor, Co-Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Helyde Adan-Torres

Assistant Professor of Practice, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Armando L. Trujillo, Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

Bedrettin Yazan, Ph.D.

Professor, Co-Principal Investigator for Project SELFIES, Bicultural-Bilingual Studies/Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies

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We appreciate your interest in the Department of Bicultural-Bilingual Studies and extend our warmest welcome to you from the Department.

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