Sociology Professor Granted Highly Acclaimed Fellowship

Grant highlights a career-long pursuit

By: Kelsie Holman, CHaSS Communications Journalist

Dr. Guadalupe Marquez-Velarde, assistant professor of sociology at Utah State University, has recently been named a Career Enhancement Fellow by the Institute for Citizens and Scholars. The institute will provide Marquez-Velarde with a work stipend that will allow her to research full-time for a whole year.

“I was very excited when I found out I got the fellowship. It was a very long interview process and I had been aiming to apply since the start of my career, so I am excited to be in the company of so many great scholars,” said Marquez-Velarde.

Marquez-Velarde will be studying health disparities in relation to mental health and how different social interactions affect the mental health of transgender people. She will be using the United States Transgender Survey to find data on different aspects of these interactions and their consequences on the mental health of transgender people.

 “This highly competitive award not only recognizes Dr. Marquez-Velarde's considerable accomplishments, but it also shines a light on the promise of her current and future research,” said College of Humanities and Social Sciences Dean Joe Ward of Marquez-Velarde’s achievement.

The Institute for Citizens and Scholars gives fellowships to applicants from a variety of disciplines and places around the United States. The institute was specifically looking for applicants dedicated to increasing diversity and inclusion on their campuses.

“This fellowship helps tremendously because it allows me to dedicate an entire year to my research,” said Marquez-Velarde.

The fellowship also allows professors on a tenure track to time their sabbaticals so that it does not increase the length of time it takes to gain tenure. This year, the institute awarded 16 yearlong fellowships, 21 six-month fellowships and two adjunct faculty fellowships.

Department head of Sociology, Social Work, & Anthropology Derrik Tollefson congratulated Marquez-Velarde as well, saying, “Fellowships such as that awarded to Dr. Marquez-Velarde reflect respect for a scholar’s work among her or his peers. It’s well-deserved.”

 

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