Analicia Mejia Mesinas, PhD

Dr. Analicia Mejia Mesinas is a social justice scholar with experience in juvenile justice and social movements. Her interdisciplinary research focuses on young people’s experiences with the juvenile and criminal justice systems. She uses youth-centered approaches to understanding the lived experiences of young people, including how young people organize to discuss, take action, and mobilize against criminalization. Influenced by her own experiences as a first-generation Latina student, Dr. Mejia Mesinas is interested in the ways school disciplinary practices can symbolically and overtly treat black and Latina students like criminals. Her work has examined the expansion of zero-tolerance policies, police presence and authority, and use of criminal justice technologies in schools. Youth agency is an essential element of her research—rather than viewing youth as passive targets of the criminal justice system, she focuses on the ways young people work together to challenge school policies and contest delinquent identities.

Dr. Mejia Mesinas sees education as an invaluable resource, and faith, equity, and diversity are at the core of her scholarship, teaching, and service. As an educator, she is committed to developing dynamic and engaging learning environments where students can think critically and grow academically and spiritually.