SDSU Imperial Valley dean awarded ‘Woman of the Year’ by Senate District 18
The award was granted by State Sen. Steve Padilla for her work and advocacy in education and advancing human rights through research.
Guillermina Gina Nuñez-Mchiri, SDSU Imperial Valley dean, was named by State Sen. Steve Padilla, D-Chula Vista, Woman of the Year for Senate District 18, for her dedication to empowering Latinx students, advancing gender equity, and championing human rights through research, leadership and community engagement.
“Núñez-Mchiri’s dedication to educating, uplifting and empowering the next generation of Latino leaders is inspiring,” Padilla said in a news release. “Her career is built on the simple, but powerful premise that future generations shouldn’t just have a seat at the table, but also a voice in shaping it. Her work has already changed the lives of her students and will change many more to come.”
Núñez-Mchiri was recognized in a senate floor ceremony March 10 during the body’s Woman of the Year Celebration, timed with Women’s History Month. Each senator nominates a woman from their district to be recognized for her significant contributions to her community.
Since her deanship, Nuñez-Mchiri has continued to lead ongoing campus wide efforts, such as the development of SDSU Imperial Valley’s Sciences and Engineering Laboratories at Brawley and the joint dormitories project with Imperial Valley College.
“It was such an honor to receive this award, and be celebrated with other strong and courageous women on the Senate floor,” said Nuñez-Mchiri.
“My work has always been focused on helping communities of color, women, elders, those who live by the border and those who work every day to support their families and loved ones,” said the Imperial Valley native. “To say it’s been a rewarding journey is an understatement. I am beyond grateful to accept this award and honor my loved ones, mentors and community who have helped me along my professional and academic career.”
Núñez-Mchiri credits her migrant farmworker parents for instilling a strong work ethic and an unwavering sense of dedication to help others.
She graduated from Calexico High School, earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and a master’s degree in Latin American studies, both from San Diego State University. Núñez-Mchiri went on to earn her doctorate in cultural anthropology at the University of California, Riverside, then spent 18 years at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) as director of Women and Gender Studies before her deanship in 2023.
Now, as dean, she said she hopes to continue closing barriers in accessing higher education. Nuñez-Mchiri works closely with local and state leaders to bring more resources and support to SDSU Imperial Valley students.
“I am also a first-generation college graduate, and so are the majority of our students who hope that by completing their degree, they can support themselves and their families,” said Nuñez-Mchiri. “So many doors have been opened for me as I began my professional career, and I want to continue that for our students.”
Last year, Nuñez-Mchiri joined the Smithsonian American Women's History Museum committee of scholars to develop the strategy to build the first Women's History Museum in Washington, D.C. And in 2023, Nuñez-Mchiri was named one of three Las Primeras Honorees, an award presented by MANA de Imperial Valley.
