Tanya Grace Velasquez, M.A.

Associate Teaching Professor
Phone
253-692-5847
Faculty Development Associate
Phone
253-692-5847
Campus Box
358409
Degrees
M.A.
Interdisciplinary Studies
University of Washington Tacoma
2011
B.A.
Ethnic, Gender and Labor Studies
University of Washington Tacoma
1998
Introduction

I am a first-generation, Mexican and Chinese American college graduate and an Associate Teaching Professor of Sociology at the University of Washington Tacoma. My course content includes examining the production, re-production and function of racialized social systems, the history and experience of Asian Americans, critical multiculturalism in education, and intersectionality. I teach courses that introduce the use of the sociological imagination as a critical lens with which to read the world. I encourage students to think of their college degree as a tool for creating social change.

I am currently serving as a co-chair and board member for the Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges’ Cross Institutional Faculty of Color Mentoring Program. Our work is dedicated to faculty mentoring and caucus work as methods for enhancing faculty retention and supplementing professional development. Also, I work with the Office of Equity and Inclusion as a Director of Faculty Engagement and Racial Equity Initiatives to support trainings in anti-racist pedagogy and inclusive teaching.

My scholarly interests include: Interdisciplinary and Developmental models for Anti-racist Pedagogy and Assessment; Racial Formation Theory, Critical Race Theory; Asian American studies; and Intersectionality/Feminist theories in the 21st century.
I teach sociology courses that contribute to the Ethnic, Gender, and Labor Studies major and the Sociology minor, as well as several other majors.

My courses are designed to support developmental learning, critical thinking, and engagement with transformative knowledge. In my classes, students participate in frequent small group discussions, student led seminars, and activities that promote the application of theory to practice in real world scenarios. The following quote best summarizes my teaching philosophy:

"To teach in a manner that respects and cares for the souls of our students is essential if we are to provide the necessary conditions where learning can most deeply and intimately begin." - bell hooks

Teaching

Teaching Schedule:

Autumn 2022
TSOC 270 Asian America: Sociological and Interdisciplinary Perspectives
TSOC 165 Introduction to the Sociological Imagination

Winter 2023
TSOC 265 Race and Ethnicity in the U.S.
TSOC 465 Asian and Asian American Laborers in the U.S.
TSOC 165 Introduction to the Sociological Imagination

Spring 2023
TSOC 270 Asian America: Sociological and Interdisciplinary Perspectives
TSOC 165 Introduction to the Sociological Imagination

Courses previously taught:

Sociology, TSOC 365, Advanced Sociological Theories of Race and Ethnicity
Sociology, TSOC 435, Migration in the Modern World
Urban Studies, TURB 312, Race and Poverty in Urban America
Ethnic, Gender & Labor Studies, TEGL 101 Introduction to EGL
Ethnic, Gender, & Labor Studies, TEGL 110 Introduction to Diversity and Social Justice
TCORE 103, Introduction to Social Sciences

Affiliations

Washington State Board for Community and Technical Colleges
Faculty of Color Cross Institutional Mentorship Program
Association for Asian American Studies
American Sociological Association; Sections - Race and Ethnicity;
Race, Class and Gender; Teaching Sociology
National Association of Multicultural Education
Critical Ethnic Studies

Academic Service
  • SIAS Representation, APCC member, 2020-21, 2021-22
  • Leading for Equity, Antiracism and Diversity (LEAD) program, UWT, Spring, 2021.
  • UWT Communities of Practice: Core Faculty Fellows and Community Engagement, 2020-21
  • UWT First Generation Student Initiatives, Advisory Board member 2019-2020, 2021-2022
  • Faculty Advisor: UWT – Global Honors Senior Thesis, Spring 2019
  • UWT Faculty Representative: UW Tri-campus Diversity Council, OMAD, 2017-2018
  • UWT, Faculty Advisor, Global Honors - Bamford Scholars, 2017-2018
  • SIAS Faculty Representative: UWT Undergraduate Education Academic Council
  • Committee Co-Chair: Student Success Task Force Work Group: First Generation Student, Staff and Faculty, Poster Campaign 2016-17
  • UWT, Faculty Advisor, Global Honors Student Senior Thesis, 2013
  • UWT, Faculty Mentor - Student Success Mentor Program, 2012 - 2015
  • Honors and Awards

    Highlights:

    • UWT Distinguished Teaching Award Recipient: 2019–20.
    • UWT Distinguished Teaching Award Nomination: 2018-19.
    • UWT Distinguished Teaching Award for Innovation with Technology Nomination: 2017-18.
    • UWT OSCARs Award Recipient: Outstanding Faculty, 2017.
    • UWT OSCARs Nomination: ASUWT President’s Award, 2017
    • UWT’s Outstanding Women Award Recipient; Office of Equity and Diversity, 2015.
    CV or Resume
    AttachmentSize
    PDF icon CV-Tanya-Velasquez-March-2022.pdf326.56 KB
    Publication Date Bibliographic Citation
    2020

    De La Cruz, S. & Velasquez, T.G. (2020). Black Lives Matter Collective Storytelling Project: Student reflections on race, racism and racial justice. University of Washington Tacoma Pressbooks publication. https://uw.pressbooks.pub/tellingourstories/

    2016

    Cho, A. and Velasquez, T. (2016). ““Not in My Hood”: Identity, Crime and Policing in Seattle’s International District.” In Ball, D. and Hartlep, N. (Eds.) Asian/Americans, Education, and Crime: The Model Minority as Victim and Perpetrator; Lanham, MD: Lexington Books.

    2015

    Velasquez, T. (2015) "From Model Minority to 'Angry Asian Man': Social Media, Racism and Counter-hegemonic Voices." In Hartlep, N. (Ed.) Modern Societal Impacts of the Model Minority Stereotype; Hershey, PA: IGI Global.

    2014

    Velasquez, T. & Ignacio, E. (2014). Race and Racism. In M. Y. Danico & G. J. Golson (Eds.), Asian American Society. Thousand Oaks, CA: Sage Publications.