Victor Santana-Melgoza has been involved in social justice work and diversity training for more than a decade.
He began his studies at Arizona State University where he was trained in social justice theory at ASU's Intergroup Relations Center. Victor then began a career in the nonprofit sector where he was able to put his passion around social justice issues to work. He taught music to at-risk youth through a locally funded arts program, participated in outreach efforts to different communities impacted by HIV/AIDS, and served on the board of directors to an anti-violence education collective. During his time working with charity based organizations, Victor continued to lead trainings on diversity and inclusion.
After graduating from The University of Texas at El Paso, Victor worked in the field of multicultural student affairs. He engaged in diversity related efforts at universities in Texas, Oregon and Massachusetts. Throughout his tenure, Victor was responsible for working with first-generation college students, advising student organizations, and managing diversity peer-educator programs. He also served on faculty of an LGBT advocacy team, and created a diversity education series known as Building Inclusive Communities.
Victor has worked with organizations such as the Social Justice Training Institute, the National Conference for Community and Justice, Racial Aikido, and the National Coalition Building Institute. He has written for The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine, and has been asked to contribute to Diverse: Issues in Higher Education, Newspaper Tree, and the Journal of Ethnicity and Inequalities in Health and Social Care. Victor has also been invited to present with organizations such as Camp OUT Phoenix, Connecticut Sexual Assault Crisis Services, and the National Center for Student Leadership.
Victor is a certified mediator and has led groups in outdoor learning through low and high ropes challenge course initiatives. He is a facilitator with the racial justice program of the YWCA Paso del Norte Region, and is a speaker and trainer with the Feminist Speakers Collective at The University of Texas at El Paso. He has also taught university classes in residence life, communication, gender studies and university success.
In addition to speaking and training, Victor is pursuing a Master's degree in Communication with a focus on intercultural and LGBT related issues. His research interests include interracial relationships, environmental communication, and positive deviance. He also has expertise in small group and team communication, gender and sexuality, and intergroup dialogue. Victor has also spent time studying the U.S./Mexico border region and other communities abroad, giving him insight into international issues including immigration, tourism, and the environment.