About Alessandra/Prof. Bazo Vienrich
Alessandra Bazo Vienrich is a Peruvian-born, North Carolina-raised sociologist. She earned a Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Massachusetts Boston, an M.A. in Sociology from Lehigh University, and a B.A. in Sociology and Not-for-Profit Management from Salem College. As an undocumented student in high school and college, Dr. Bazo Vienrich directly experienced the challenges that made the passage of the DREAM Act crucial for her and countless others. Her personal journey led her to a research agenda focused on understanding the intersection of legal status, place, and Latinx identity in shaping the educational experiences of undocumented youth, often referred to as "DREAMers." Through this work, she examines why the DREAM Act failed to become law and explores its profound impact on millions of undocumented immigrants.
Dr. Bazo Vienrich has written extensively on issues related to undocumented students, including in works such as “’I Used to Be One of Them’: Reflections on Researching DACA Students as a DACA Recipient” and “The Educational Trajectories of Latinx Undocumented Students: Illegality and Threats to Emotional Well-Being.” She is currently working on a book titled, Conditioned to DREAM: The Broken Promises of Higher Education for Undocumented Latinx Students, which is under contract with the University of North Carolina Press. Her research has been published in prominent journals, including the Journal of Ethnic and Migration Studies, Sociology Compass, the International Journal of Qualitative Studies in Education, and Socius. Dr. Bazo Vienrich’s work is currently supported by funding from the Spencer Foundation. She is an Assistant Professor of Sociology at Rhode Island College and resides in Worcester, MA with her spouse and their cat.
Living
I believe that balance is essential to productivity, both in work and in life. In my pursuit of balance, I strive to find joy in both my professional and personal life, which not only helps me excel in my work but also makes me a better person. When I'm not working, I enjoy spending time with my family. I'm also passionate about plant-based eating and cooking, and I practice rowing as a sport with the women’s team at Quinsigamond Rowing Club.
