Dr. Omi Salas-SantaCruz is a Trans*fronterizx scholar, researcher, educator, and community activist.
Welcome!
I'm Dr. Omi Salas-SantaCruz, an Assistant Professor in the Department of Education, Culture & Society at the University of Utah. I earned my PhD in Education with a designated emphasis in Critical Theory and Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies from UC Berkeley. My scholarship engages with intersections of decolonial theory, transgender studies, borderlands theory, and critical race studies, rigorously examining the intermeshed systems of power underpinning educational institutions. My work specifically critiques how colonial logics shape and limit educational opportunities, identity formation, and resistance strategies among marginalized communities. As an advocate for public scholarship, I prioritize collaborative, justice-oriented research that supports transformative educational practices and community-driven change. I invite you to explore my site and join me in conversations that advance equity, inclusion, and transformative educational futures.
Dr. O
“I am an act of kneading, of uniting and joining that not only has produced both a creature of darkness and a creature of light, but also a creature that questions the definitions of light and dark and gives them new meanings.” ― Gloria Anzaldúa
A Salvi-Mex Queer Familia. Art by El Comalito Collective.
About me: A Journey from the Mexican Diaspora to Academia
My narrative is intricately interwoven with the socio-political climate of border towns post the 1994 NAFTA era. Fleeing the tumultuous narco-violence and the overarching shadow of insecurity that plagued my hometown, Tijuana, my mother relocated us to the U.S. in search of safety and new horizons.
Navigating the duality of my existence, I hold the unique privilege of dual citizenship, bridging the space between the US and México both sentimentally and materially. My path to academia and activism was non-linear, characterized by an intertwining of fortitude, happenstance, and transformative encounters.
In the grip of the 2007 recession, life’s unpredictability rendered me homeless. However, the catalyst for change emerged in an unanticipated manner: a friend's recommendation to explore community college. What began as a practical pursuit for financial aid and healthcare access evolved into a profound intellectual and personal awakening. Delving into the profound writings of Queer Chicana/Latina Feminist Thought and anthologies, I found affinity, direction, and purpose.
Today, I embrace the multi-faceted roles of parent, teacher, scholar, and activist. My experiences, both challenging and enlightening, have culminated in the person you encounter on this platform. And thus, here I stand, eager to contribute, learn, and engage in the evolving dialogues that shape new queer worlds.