Jennifer Juárez

Dr. Jennifer Juárez is the Associate Director of the Latin American Recruitment and Educational Services (LARES) program at the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC). Jennifer was born in the South Side of Chicago, graduated from Chicago Public Schools, is fluent in Spanish, and is the proud daughter of Mexican immigrants.

She holds a B.A. in Communication, an M.Ed. in Youth Development, and a Ph.D. in Educational Psychology from UIC. Her dissertation focused on understanding the sense of belonging of Latino undergraduate students at university academic success programs at Hispanic Serving Institutions.

In 2021, Jennifer received the UIC Award of Merit, a university-wide honor for Academic Professionals and Civil Service employees who exhibit service, commitment, and dedication.

Jennifer was also awarded the Honoring Our Professors' Excellence (HOPE) Award in 2022  for being an exemplary faculty member for contributing to UIC students’ success.

Jennifer was a former immigrant rights activist and led several art and radio initiatives in the Pilsen and Little Village neighborhoods during her undergraduate years. In her professional career, she has co-chaired several committees at UIC and initiatives, including developing a training model for UIC Faculty and Staff on supporting and advising undocumented students at UIC. In addition, Jennifer forms part of various non-profit, higher education, and legislative committees in Illinois and the Pilsen, Little Village, Humboldt Park, Chicago Public Schools, and the Illinois Latino Council on Higher Education (ILACHE).

Presently, Jennifer is the founder of the first Latina Leadership Institute at UIC and teaches at the Latin American & Latino Studies department in the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences at UIC. Jennifer's work is driven and guided by her ancestors, people that migrated to the United States, Latina/o/x students, and the community.