Dr. Ada Vilageliu-Díaz is a scholar and educator specializing in Afro-Latinx and Caribbean literature, community-based teaching, and bilingual literacy initiatives. In addition to serving on the faculty at UDC, Dr. Vilageliu-Díaz leads various academic initiatives and community engagement projects.
Experience
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in English: Afro-Latino and Caribbean Literature, Howard University Master of Philosophy in American Literature: African-American, Universidad de La Laguna, Canary Islands Literature Bachelor of Arts in English Philology, Universidad de La Laguna, Canary Islands
Roles
Faculty Advisor, Latinx Student Association at UDC Group 1, UDC Self-Study Organized Latino Book festival for the DC Mayor's Office on Latino Affairs, 2023 Lead professional writing workshops for House of Ruth Baltimore, 2024 Organized Annual College English Association Mid-Atlantic conferences, 2024 and 2025 Organized UDC Latinx Student Annual Graduation Celebration 2021-Present Lead Spanish writing workshops for Herstory writers, 2023-24 Visit my website for more information: https://www.adavilageliudiaz.com
Courses Taught
Creative Writing The Art of the Spoken Word American literature Caribbean literature Critical Writing Foundation Writing Discovery Writing
Expertise
Edits the UDC literary journal Edits and oversees the publishing of the English newsletter Develops bilingual community engagement projects focused on literacy
Research Focus / Works in Progress
Rhetoric and composition, community-based teaching, community-based scholarship, Latinx and Caribbean literature and writing.
Leadership
President, College English Association Mid-Atlantic Group Delegate, Modern Language Association Board of Directors, Coalition of Community Writing
Impact
Selected Publications
Book Chapters
Vilageliu-Díaz, A., Díaz, C., & Atenco-González, D. (2023). By and for Latinx community members: Mi libro mi espejo story time as anti-racist case study. In C. Santana et al. (Eds.), Anti-racist community engagement: Principles and practices. Campus Compact.
Vilageliu-Díaz, A. (2022). Rare positionality: HBCUs, LatinX emancipatory rhetoric, and counternarratives in higher education. In Coffey, K., & Katsanis, V.D. (Eds.), A socially just classroom: Transdisciplinary approaches to teaching writing across the humanities. Vernon Press.
Vilageliu-Díaz, A., & De, A. (Forthcoming). Decolonizing the HBCU English classroom from transnational feminists of color’s perspective.” Transgressive teaching & learning: Critical essays on bell hooks’ engaged pedagogy. American Studies Association.
Book Reviews
Vilageliu-Díaz, A. (2022).The book of delights by Ross Gay. Critical Humanities.
Public Writing
Vilageliu-Díaz, A. (Forthcoming). Creating a community project for ourselves. An anti-racist community engagement: A blog series. Campus Compact.
Articles
Vilageliu-Díaz, A. (2023). Becoming. Community Literacy Journal, 17.2.
Vilageliu-Díaz, A., De, A., Krauthamer, H., & Turpin, C.A. (2021). English at the intersection.Adams, A.K. Berry, & H. Krauthamer (Eds.). Proceedings of the 2nd Annual Faculty Senate Research Conference: Higher Education During Pandemics, University of the District of Columbia.
Selected Presentations
Panel Presentation. (2023). Teaching CRT post-2020: Uncovering racial histories and the struggle over critical race theory. Conference on College Composition and Communication, Chicago, Illniois.
Panel Presentation. (2022). Working toward inclusivity: Teaching English in minority-serving institutions. Modern Language Association, San Francisco, California.
Vilageliu-Díaz, A. (2022). Interdisciplinary oral history projects at the University of the District of Columbia. 2nd Annual Teaching Learning Roundtable, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C.
Panel Presentation. (2021). Near the river documentary roundtable discussion with Kari Fulton, Penny Gamble-Williams, Angela Mahecha, and Ada Vilageliu-Diaz. Conference on Community Writing: Weaving Narratives for Social Justice Action in the Local, National, and Global, Washington, D.C.
Panel Presentation. (2021). Environmental restoration as racial and socioeconomic justice: Interwoven local and national community-engagement practices. Conference on Community Writing (CCW): Weaving Narratives for Social Justice Action in the Local, National, and Global, Washington, D.C.
Recognitions
Scholar of Promise Award, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., 2023. Fellowship program in partnership with the Coalition for Community Writing and the Jacob Volkman Human Rights Fellowship Program, Amy Maiello Hagedorn Training Institute, Herstory Writers, 2022. Delta Kappa Gamma International Society for Key Women Educators, 2022. Leader of Promise Award, College of Arts and Sciences, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., 2021 Student Success Fellow, University of the District of Columbia, Washington, D.C., 2021 Green Teacher of the Year, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 2011. Preparing Future Faculty Fellow, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 2003 Edward Alexander Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, Howard University, Washington, D.C., 2007. Sasakawa Young Leaders Fellowship (SYLFF), Howard University, Washington, D.C., 2006.
Invited Participations
Panel Presentation. (2023). Maternidades negras y el cuerpo político. Cumbre Afro, University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras, Puerto Rico.
