Scholz named first-ever vice president for equity, inclusion and diversity

As a first-generation American citizen and a first-generation college student, Teresa Maria Linda Scholz can relate to many NMSU students. Raised in Guatemala and the United States, Scholz joined NMSU in August 2021 as the first-ever vice president for equity, inclusion and diversity. 

She most recently served as associate vice chancellor and chief diversity officer at the University of California Santa Cruz. A critical Latina/Latin American transnational feminist scholar in communication studies, Scholz’s scholarly focus is on understanding culturally situated theories that challenge systematic and structural inequities.

“This past year has challenged us all to think proactively, strategically and creatively to address systemic inequities by forging a sense of community and belonging between us all,” Scholz says.  

“As a practitioner, Dr. Scholz has worked to foster a healthy campus climate where students, staff and faculty are seen, valued and respected and where their voices, ideas, research and innovations contribute to transforming the academic, co-curricular and non-academic functions of a university,” NMSU President John Floros says. 

Scholz earned her Ph.D. in communication studies from the University of Colorado, Boulder, and holds master’s and bachelor’s degrees in speech communication and a master’s certificate in women’s studies from Colorado State University.

Scholz