Welcome! My name is Dra. (Doctora) Aurora Chang, founder of Academic Life Simplified. Thank you for visiting my site. You deserve to know who you will potentially work with, since our work will be based on credibility and trust. So, let me tell you a bit about myself.
Let's just say my path has been a windy one! I immigrated to the U.S. from my beloved Guatemala with my family at the age of five. We settled in Richmond, California where my five siblings and I attended public schools. My parents were fierce advocates of the value of an education and did everything within their means, to support and encourage us. I describe my journey as a once undocumented Guatemalan immigrant turned hyperdocumented professor. I invite you to read my Harvard Educational Review article where I go into more detail and where you can get a good sense of who I am, how I write, and why I've dedicated my life's work to advancing social justice.
My identity as a quirky nerd, introverted extrovert, and curator of words aligned with my pursuit of higher education. At UC Berkeley, I fell further in love with books and writing and earned my bachelor's degree in English Literature. That summer, I embarked on a life-changing journey as a graduate student at Stanford University's Teacher Education Program (STEP). One year later, I crossed the stage with a high school teaching credential in English/ESL and a master's degree in secondary education in hand. Then, I promptly commenced my teaching career at Balboa High School in San Francisco - the foundation of everything that would come thereafter.
After three years of teaching, I spread my professional wings a bit with positions that bridged high school and higher education with stints at The College Board, The University of California at Berkeley, and The University of Texas at Austin. There, I earned my doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a programmatic focus on Cultural Studies in Education - all while holding down a full-time position in student affairs. At the time, I saw myself as a lifer in a student-centered role. So, in 2010, upon receiving my doctorate, I moved to Wisconsin and served as the Director of the McNair Scholars Program at Beloit College - one of the best jobs of my life. Yet, as I worked closely with faculty in those roles, it occurred to me that the professorial life might suit me.
I accepted my first academic position as an assistant professor of educational studies at The University of Wyoming, and after an intense two years there, I moved on to Loyola University where I earned tenure and served as chair for various programs. I spent eight amazing, painful, and instructive years at Loyola. My research centered on the intersection of education, identity, and agency within traditionally marginalized communities. I focused on four areas: (1) Latinx educational experiences with a focus on those that are undocumented, (2) Multiracially-identified students’ educational experiences, (3) how educators (K-20) of all backgrounds can effectively reflect upon their pedagogical practices to serve students of marginalized backgrounds, and (4) the experiences of Faculty Women of Color in the Academy. I have published over two dozen peer-reviewed articles and chapters as well as two academic books.
Faculty life, especially for women of color like me, is complicated at best and downright violent at its worst. Shortly after earning tenure, I concluded that it was time for my next chapter. I knew I had to pursue a role in higher education leadership where I hoped to make a larger impact. The role as the inaugural Director of Faculty Development at George Mason University presented itself, and I loved the work. However, life had other plans and my family and I returned to the Chicagoland area to be closer to family and friends - sometimes, home calls you back.
What sets me apart from other editors and academic guides is the depth, breadth, and rigor of my scholarly identity, my teaching expertise, and my personal life. My intersectional experiences as an immigrant child, academically-obsessed student, dissertation adviser, tenured professor and scholar, and a faculty development expert are central to my compassionate and mindful approach to supporting my clients. Most importantly, I know firsthand what it's like to be a first-generation doctoral student, a female faculty of color, and a mom.
I know you have your own story too. I want to hear about it and contribute to you living your best life. Thank you for considering my services as you navigate your academic journey.
Let's just say my path has been a windy one! I immigrated to the U.S. from my beloved Guatemala with my family at the age of five. We settled in Richmond, California where my five siblings and I attended public schools. My parents were fierce advocates of the value of an education and did everything within their means, to support and encourage us. I describe my journey as a once undocumented Guatemalan immigrant turned hyperdocumented professor. I invite you to read my Harvard Educational Review article where I go into more detail and where you can get a good sense of who I am, how I write, and why I've dedicated my life's work to advancing social justice.
My identity as a quirky nerd, introverted extrovert, and curator of words aligned with my pursuit of higher education. At UC Berkeley, I fell further in love with books and writing and earned my bachelor's degree in English Literature. That summer, I embarked on a life-changing journey as a graduate student at Stanford University's Teacher Education Program (STEP). One year later, I crossed the stage with a high school teaching credential in English/ESL and a master's degree in secondary education in hand. Then, I promptly commenced my teaching career at Balboa High School in San Francisco - the foundation of everything that would come thereafter.
After three years of teaching, I spread my professional wings a bit with positions that bridged high school and higher education with stints at The College Board, The University of California at Berkeley, and The University of Texas at Austin. There, I earned my doctoral degree in Curriculum and Instruction with a programmatic focus on Cultural Studies in Education - all while holding down a full-time position in student affairs. At the time, I saw myself as a lifer in a student-centered role. So, in 2010, upon receiving my doctorate, I moved to Wisconsin and served as the Director of the McNair Scholars Program at Beloit College - one of the best jobs of my life. Yet, as I worked closely with faculty in those roles, it occurred to me that the professorial life might suit me.
I accepted my first academic position as an assistant professor of educational studies at The University of Wyoming, and after an intense two years there, I moved on to Loyola University where I earned tenure and served as chair for various programs. I spent eight amazing, painful, and instructive years at Loyola. My research centered on the intersection of education, identity, and agency within traditionally marginalized communities. I focused on four areas: (1) Latinx educational experiences with a focus on those that are undocumented, (2) Multiracially-identified students’ educational experiences, (3) how educators (K-20) of all backgrounds can effectively reflect upon their pedagogical practices to serve students of marginalized backgrounds, and (4) the experiences of Faculty Women of Color in the Academy. I have published over two dozen peer-reviewed articles and chapters as well as two academic books.
Faculty life, especially for women of color like me, is complicated at best and downright violent at its worst. Shortly after earning tenure, I concluded that it was time for my next chapter. I knew I had to pursue a role in higher education leadership where I hoped to make a larger impact. The role as the inaugural Director of Faculty Development at George Mason University presented itself, and I loved the work. However, life had other plans and my family and I returned to the Chicagoland area to be closer to family and friends - sometimes, home calls you back.
What sets me apart from other editors and academic guides is the depth, breadth, and rigor of my scholarly identity, my teaching expertise, and my personal life. My intersectional experiences as an immigrant child, academically-obsessed student, dissertation adviser, tenured professor and scholar, and a faculty development expert are central to my compassionate and mindful approach to supporting my clients. Most importantly, I know firsthand what it's like to be a first-generation doctoral student, a female faculty of color, and a mom.
I know you have your own story too. I want to hear about it and contribute to you living your best life. Thank you for considering my services as you navigate your academic journey.