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Professional Isolation:
the Subtle Impact of Invisibility in Academia
 
  
 

 
 
Program description:
 
 

This program will review everyday occurrences of invisibility and its personal and professional implications for Latinas/os. In keeping with ACA’s multicultural competencies and advocacy, this session is designed to increase participant awareness and knowledge of Latina/o students and faculty experiences in college. The discussion will draw on our individual and shared experiences regarding issues brought up by those who define themselves as friends (allies). Some of the issues to be shared include: Being invisible to as allies or friends; being ignored in the discussion of Latino issues, yet often expecting you to be the Authority on Latino/a culture; reframing you as non-Latina/o; and speaking in your presence as if you were invisible. The consequences of these repetitive occurrences as well as strategies to thrive and succeed under these circumstances will be addressed. The importance of addressing these issues is underscored by recent reports of high dropout rates of Latina/o students and the high turn over rate of Latina/o faculty in colleges and universities.
 
 
 

 
 
Presenters:
Carlos Zalaquett, Ph.D.
Miguel Arciniega, ,Ph.D,
Roberto Davison Avilés, Ph.D.
Maritza I. Gallardo-Cooper, Ph.D.
Helda H. Montero, EdS, LMHC, NCC
Derrick A. Paladino, PhD, LPC, NCC
 

 
 

 
 
Conference:
American Counseling Association Annual
 
Time and Date:
Date: Friday, March 23, 2007
Time: 3:45pm - 4:15pm
Room #: 61
 

Additional information:

The panel of presenters will share examples of everyday invisibility of Latina/o students and faculty. These examples include,

Being invisible to those who describe themselves as allies or friends of Latinas/os Paradox: Ignoring you in the discussion of Latino issues, yet often expecting you to be the Authority on Latino/a culture Generalizing traits and characteristics of the Latino population from individual situations Reframing you as non-Latina/o Speaking in your presence as if you were invisible Hijacking your professional ideas

We’ll address the impact of these everyday occurrences or multiple minitraumas in the mental and emotional being of Latinas/os. Some of the consequences include,

Lack of motivation/low morale Self-doubt Depression Anger Frustration

In addition, we will address strategies to overcome the consequences of everyday acts of invisibility. Some of these strategies include,

Normalizing your experience Establishing alliances with other students and faculty of color Building networks with other Latina/o students and faculty beyond the boundaries of you

 program or department Joining professional groups Engaging in professional development and collaborations

 

 

 
 
     
 
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Carlos Zalaquett, Ph.D., 2006.

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