About

Meet the Centro de Excelencia Team:

Inés Sahagún-Bahena, Ph.D., Director

Inés Sahagún-Bahena leads the programs and initiatives that advance NLU’s work as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI) and that create an inclusive space that welcomes linguistic and cultural diversity. Her journey in higher education includes teaching and engaging with diverse undergraduate students, research on various social issues that affect the Latinx community and advocacy for the Latinx community. She is the daughter of Mexican immigrants and was raised in Chicago’s Little Village neighborhood. Inés is a first-generation college and doctoral graduate who holds a Ph.D. in Hispanic Studies. She values and is inspired by her immigrant heritage and enjoys running outdoors while listening to Los Ángeles Azules, Julieta Venegas, Café Tacvba, and other classics of Rock en español.

Maria Tatiana Palafox, HSI Student and Community Engagement Manager

Maria Tatiana Palafox supports and implements programming initiatives geared towards Latinx students and coordinates projects that support the Computer Science and Information Systems program. She has a not-for-profit background working in youth leadership development and continues to prioritize this type of work in her career. Maria was born in Guanajuato, Mexico and migrated to Chicago with her family where she has resided since. She pursued her post-secondary education at Saint Xavier University where she received a Master’s degree in Business Administration. Maria serves as a mentor and advocate for Latina/o/x youth in the south side of Chicago. Su pasatiempo favorito es bailar Cumbia y Banda, y disfruta su tiempo a lado de familia, amigos, y mascotas.