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Connie Valencia

Post graduate student Connie Valencia poses for a photograph, Aug. 15, 2023. (Photo/Gus Ruelas)

Connie is a first-generation Latina, daughter of Mexican Immigrants, wife and mother of two, born and raised in Boyle Heights. Connie recently defended her dissertation, a mixed methods study assessing the role civic engagement might have on protecting Latino communities against exposure to poor air pollution. 

The goal of the study is to develop a comprehensive understanding of factors that impact civic engagement among Latino residents affected by environmental injustice. Connie used quantitative methods to examine environmental justice in terms of exposure to air pollution among Latino residents in California, as well as potential buffers for that exposure. Through a partnership with Legacy LA, a local non-profit in Boyle Heights, CA focused on environmental justice initiatives Connie conducted key informant interviews and focus groups to understand barriers and facilitators that impact civic engagement among Latino residents on issues relevant to air pollution and environmental justice. Connie obtained her doctorate from UCI’s Program in Public Health, department of Population Health and Disease Prevention, her Master’s in Public Health from Cal State Fullerton and Bachelors of Science from UCLA.