Alvarez, Rosanna

Lecturer, Chicana and Chicano Studies Department

Education

M.A. Chicana and Chicano Studies (formerly Mexican American Studies), San José State University, 2012

B.S. Political Science (with minors in Sociology and Ethnic Studies), Santa Clara University, 2002

Bio

Rosanna Alvarez is a writer and interdisciplinary artist who lives poetically, while sharing her life lessons as a consultant, facilitator, and educator throughout the Bay Area. Rosanna identifies as a braided scholar whose life work is grounded in her mission to embrace personal power through creative inspiration. As a multi-faceted interdisciplinary artist, her work finds its way into the world in several forms: she is the founder of Citlali Rose, a cultural brand that offers an array of bold and unique products that make a statement for daily living; creator and producer of the Hella Chingona Podcast, committed to building on an archive of stories where Chingonas thrive; co-founder and editorial director of Eastside Magazine, committed to emphasizing a sense of pride, appreciation, and understanding of East San José as not just an important point of destination, but a home with a rich cultural legacy as the heart of San José; and she writes creative nonfiction and poetry that addresses self-recovery, voice, and liberation.

Rosanna Alvarez is the author of Braided [Un]Be-Longing, a poetry collection that intricately weaves together the most unanticipated spaces of poetic legacy found in the everyday and in everybody. She describes her writing as a constant process of re-membering herself whole while translating the living legacy of the stories that have shaped us into who we have become both individually and collectively.

Her public speaking highlights the full range of her work with a variety of different audiences. She has appeared on Comunidad del Valle, shared spoken word on KKUP and KPFA, appeared on stage as a featured poet at the San Jose Women’s March, and served as a featured poetic voice in collaboration with several organizations.

In addition to teaching Chicana and Chicano Studies Department at San Jose State University, she has also taught at Evergreen Valley College and De Anza College within the Women's Studies Department, Chicanx/Latinx Studies, and Comparative Ethnic Studies.

She has collaborated with various local and national organizations, including Apple, SVCreates, De Anza College, Santa Clara County Social Services, Santa Clara County Office of Women’s Policy, the Association for Justice-Involved Females and Organizations, in addition to various local nonprofits. She is part of the Multicultural Arts Leadership Institute and is also trained in various culturally responsive curriculums.

Within and through all of those adventures, Rosanna is a Chicana from East San Jose, mother of three fierce guerreras, and a trucker’s wife.

Publications:

Braided [Un]Be-Longing. Ocote Libre Press. 2023.
“Al Hocico Libre: An Homenaje to Whispers Set Free.” Journal X. Second Edition, 2022.
“En Familia.” Eastside Magazine. Issue 2021.Ome April 2021.
“El Bienestar.” Eastside Magazine. Issue 2021.Ce January 2021.
"Predatory Reciprocity and the Politics of Chingona Fierce.” Chicana/Latina Studies:
The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social, Eds. Sonya M. Alemán and
Patricia Trujillo. Volume 20, Spring 2020.
“[Dis]Connection/[Des]Conexión.” Eastside Magazine. October 2020.
“Raising Humanity Beyond Sheltering Safely.” Modern Latina Magazine. June 26 2020.
“Rooted in History, Counting on Our Present.” Eastside Magazine. April 2020.
"Obligation Emancipation: An Hocicona Proclamation.” Label Me Latina/o, Eds.
Michele Shaul and Kathryn Quinn‐Sanchez. Volume IV, Fall 2014.
“My Family and the Roots of Strength.” Entering The Ivory Tower: Life Histories and Experiences of First Generation College Students at Santa Clara University. Ed. Laura Nichols. 2002.