Dr. Stephany Cuevas, an assistant professor in the Integrated Educational Studies (IES) program at Attallah College of Educational Studies, received the “Early Career Award” for her first book, “Apoyo Sacrificial, Sacrificial Support: How Undocumented Latinx Parents Get Their Children to College.” The award was presented at the 18th annual American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education’s (AAHHE) “Book of the Year” awards ceremony.

AAHHE hosts a “Book of the Year” awards ceremony at its national conference with the mission to celebrate Hispanic culture, history and research excellence. The awards are presented to Latinx/a/o authors, and recognize their contributions to higher education.

The Early Career Award acknowledges the highest standards of writing, research, excellence, and impact in the advanced research field of Latinx and education. “I am very honored and humbled to receive this award because it’s a recognition from my community. I designed the study and wrote the book to support and elevate Latinx immigrant families, especially undocumented parents,” said Dr. Cuevas.

“Apoyo Sacrificial, Sacrificial Support: How Undocumented Latinx Parents Get Their Children to College” delves into the experiences of undocumented Latinx parents as they support and guide their children’s pathways to higher education, examining how their precarious immigration status affects this support. The book also analyzes the various understandings, interactions, and relationships undocumented Latinx parents develop with different educational entities, such as secondary schools and colleges, and explores these in relation to the social, political, and economic factors that shape parental engagement in their children’s education.

To learn more about Dr. Cuevas’ first book, “Apoyo Sacrificial, Sacrificial Support: How Undocumented Latinx Parents Get Their Children to College,” visit Teachers College Press.

Dr. Cuevas recently released her second book “Everyone Wins!: The Evidence for Family-School Partnerships and Implications for Practice,” which continues to feature her research in the area of family engagement.