This bi-weekly podcast is dedicated to uplifting Latinx/a/o students, administrators, faculty, and stakeholders in higher education. La Profesora, Dra. Michelle Espino Lira, focuses on the ways in which we can uplift our gente to and through higher education so we can all thrive.
Ep 55
La Profesora shares the often unseen process behind publishing academic work as a Latina scholar in higher education. Reflecting on her latest publication, La Profesora shares the journey of writing, mentoring, setbacks, and personal challenges that shaped the manuscript over the course of three years and 148 hours of dedicated work.
From balancing teaching, advising, and community action to coping with personal loss and supporting students through their own research journeys, her work shines a light on the realities faced by Latinx/e student affairs professionals. She candidly discusses how these professionals are often expected to overwork and educate peers on inclusion, all while navigating under-resourced offices and systemic inequities.
Listeners will gain practical advice on leveraging research datasets, collaborating with students, and managing the complex timeline from idea to publication. This episode is a powerful reminder to find meaning in scholarship, embrace the humanity in academic work, and uplift Latinx/e voices.
Here's a link to a free copy of La Profesora's article.
Support John Lira's Congressional Campaign! Donate here! (https://www.liraforcongress.com/)
28 Sept 2025
Save EDAD!
Ep. 54
La Profesora turns the spotlight on the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, where a sweeping new budget proposal threatens to eliminate the Department of Educational Administration (EDAD)—the only department in the state dedicated to preparing educational leaders. Joined by Dra. Crystal Garcia, we unpack the personal and professional toll of fighting for a department's survival, the problematic data metrics driving these decisions, and what's truly at stake for current students, alumni, and the broader Nebraska community.
Find out how you can support the EDAD community, and join us as we advocate for the critical work of nurturing future educational leaders—because what’s happening at Nebraska could soon become a trend across the nation.
www.saveedad.com
https://cehs.unl.edu/edad/home/
15 Sept 2025
Ep 53 Ya Basta!
Ep. 53
La Profesora discusses the urgent challenges facing Latinx/e and marginalized communities today. She shines a light on pressing issues such as the ongoing crisis in Palestine, the targeting of Black leaders and communities in major cities, and the troubling dismantling of DEI initiatives and social programs in higher education.
With honesty and vulnerability, La Profesora acknowledges our reality, discusses the importance of taking action in our neighborhoods, and reminds us that even small acts of support can make meaningful change.
Amid calls for self-care and collective resilience, our gente are encouraged to find a way to contribute—whether by showing up, funding crucial organizations, or just taking time to recharge. Join us as we confront the complexities of our times, support one another, and continue uplifting Latinx voices on the journey to a more just future.
¡Adelante, mi gente!
John Lira for Texas-35
Afrolatin@ Forum
Latino Equality Alliance
National Day Laborer Organization Network (https://ndlon.org/)
Radical Monarchs
Immigrants Rising
Intercultural Developmental Research Association
Refugee Women's Network
Pineros y Campesinos Unidos del Noroeste (https://pcun.org/) (PCUN, Oregon)
Latino Network (https://www.latnet.org/) (Oregon)
Casa Azul de Wilson (North Carolina)
Climb Hire (https://climbhire.co/)
Common Future
Brookline for Racial Justice & Equity (https://brje.org/)
UN Crisis Relief: (https://www.unicefusa.org/) The Occupied Palestinian Territory Humanitarian Fund
TIMESTAMPS
00:00 Navigating Today's Unprecedented Challenges
03:24 Funding Cuts Impact DEI Research
07:23 Support Nonprofits for Local Change
Inside a recent episode
148 Hours While the World is Burning
Published 17 Feb 2026 · Transcript excerpt
[…] And I wanted to talk about it here because I just don't think people fully understand how long it takes to write anything because life is life-ing and there's going to be ebbs and flows. And it's not the only thing that you're doing. This article was certainly not the only thing I was working on. I was teaching. I was working with dissertating students. I was advising, presenting, doing service. I was engaged in administration of our program. There's just so much going on. And that's not even maintaining my home, taking care of my pups, my partners running for Congress. I mean, there's a lot happening outside of just the work. […]
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