Dr. Ordaz grew up in Brentwood, California. She is the granddaughter of bracero agricultural laborers and the daughter of migrant workers. At the age of 18 she left home to pursue higher education and became a first gen college student at UC Santa Barbara triple majoring in Women’s Studies, History and Global Studies. It was here she was involved in organizations such as El Congreso and Women United for Justice, Education, and Revolution (M.U.J.E.R.), groups that promote cultural enrichment, higher education, and political consciousness within the Chicana/o community. Dr. Ordaz then continued to graduate school receiving her Masters in American Studies from Cal State, Fullerton and her PhD in American History from UC Davis.
Dr. Ordaz is currently working on a book manuscript that will historicize the roots and functions of immigration detention centers by exploring the background of the El Centro Immigration Detention Center in Southern California.
Having just moved to Colorado in July, she is super excited to get to know her colleagues and grad students in the Ethnic Studies department, the student body at CU Boulder, along with exploring Denver and the beautiful surrounding areas.
The Department of Ethnic Studies is extremely thrilled to welcome Dr. Ordaz!