05/22/2026
Please join us in congratulating PhD candidate Myra Garcia on the successful defense of her doctoral dissertation!
In her dissertation, “Navigating Intra-group Colorism: A Qualitative Study on Distress, Coping, and Resistance among Afro and Indigenous Latine,” Garcia examined the harms of skin-tone-based discrimination while highlighting the resilience, resistance, and cultural strengths that individuals and communities draw on to protect their sense of identity, dignity, and belonging.
Dr. Brad Lundahl, her dissertation chair, noted, “Dr. Garcia’s work contributes to a growing body of literature on the impact of colorism, with particular attention to the insidious ways messages about the relationship between skin color and human value are transmitted. Recognizing these patterns is critical, especially because they can be disrupted. Importantly, Dr. Garcia sought information about how within-group messages are countered and resisted by Afro and Indigenous Latine individuals—supporting hope that future generations will not extend the long reach of racism.”
Congratulations to our newly minted Dr. Garcia!
