Girl Power UTEP Professor Named Scholar of the Year

| By: ERIN COULEHAN |

The course of women’s journeys in society never did run smoothly, and one distinguished El Pasoan is examining the complicated circumstances for women living on the border and gaining national recognition for her research.

Dr. Hilda Ontiveros-Arrieta, Assistant Professor and Interim Director of Women’s and Gender Studies Program at UTEP was named the Southwest Institute for Research on Women (SIROW) Scholar of the Year in March 2023. The award honors scholars who have exhibited excellence in their efforts to improve the well-being of women and their communities. Ontiveros-Arrieta’s scholarship focuses on the value of women’s studies and ethnic studies programs for students in higher education who attend Hispanic-Serving Institutions like UTEP.

“I did some research through the College of Education and quantitative research on how students value Women’s and Gender Studies courses and ethnic studies courses here at a Hispanic Serving Institute,” explains Ontiveros-Arrieta. “We found that these courses actually help keep students at the university because they find it personal. They find the curriculum very personal, they connect with it. It helps them stay on campus, and we’ve even received some feedback that because of these courses, they have finished their degree. Students have attained a degree because they felt like they had a place at the university. The data pointed us in that direction and this quantitative data shows us that these courses do matter.”

Ontivervos-Arrieta’s research directly aligns with SIROW’s mission.

SIROW was founded in 1979 as a regional research institute at the University of Arizona’s College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. SIROW is dedicated to improving the well-being of girls, women, their families, and their communities.

Additionally, SIROW engages in community-based research and action projects that take a holistic approaches to well-being that address correlated and co-occurring social and public health issues that include:

• Legal issues: juvenile justice, legal advocacy, domestic violence, and immigration

• Education and employment: literacy, leadership, access, and workforce development

• Women’s history and the arts: representation of women, diversity of voices, and oral history

“The University of Arizona’s Southwest Institute for Research on Women congratulates Dr. Hilda OntiverosArrieta of the University of Texas El Paso on being awarded with a 2022/2023 SIROW Scholar Award. Dr. OntiverosArrieta’s research is geared towards understanding student perceived value of women’s and gender studies and Chicana-/o studies within Hispanic Serving

• Health and wellness: relationship and sexual health, substance misuse, mental health, and homelessness

Institutions. Her research is in line with the mission and vision of SIROW and SIROW’s goal of promoting gender and women’s studies within institutions of higher learning in the southwest region,” says Josephine D. Korchmaros, PhD, Director of SIROW.

UTEP’s Women and Gender Studies program offers students interdisciplinary studies of women’s experiences that emphasizes historical, contemporary, and future issues faced by women and men. Additionally, the program aims to foster the development of gender equality in scholarship and the workplace in order to help students better understand the ways that knowledge, discourse, and values take different shapes for women along the U.S.-Mexico border.

“What we try to do is not only teach and provide adequate and sound curriculum for our population, but we also try to anchor ourselves in the community,” says

Ontiveros-Arrieta. “That’s really important to me: reaching out to the community and letting the community know that we exist,” she adds.

For some, feminism is still a foreign language but Ontiveros-Arrieta is working to dispel misinformation while also advocating for equality, which is the basis of feminism.

“Many believe that feminism is only for women and they forget that it’s about gender equality, which should matter to everyone. Feminism, as bell hooks mentioned, is for everyone. It benefits all genders,” she says.

The work is personal for Ontiveros-Arrieta who grew up in the Borderland where her father worked at ASARCO and her mother was a homemaker.

Today, she works to honor her family -especially the women.

“Some of my family members, my aunts, worked in the fields. They did not have access to a higher education and for me to be here now, it’s really surreal to know where my roots were, where I came from, and to make an impact,” she says.

Ontiveros-Arrieta’s erudition in women’s studies is multifaceted.

“I come from a family that’s deeply rooted in the community and a Mexican American family, that also struggled with issues of machismo,” she says. “I grew up with it -- not necessarily with my father -- but watching extended family or my siblings engage in that practice of machismo. I always felt it was wrong to see other families behave in that manner. So I started to study it.”

Before becoming earning her doctorate, she earned an undergraduate degree at UTEP, then attended the medical school of Universidad Autonoma de Ciudad Juárez, and studied abroad in Spain and Mexico. Later, Ontiveros-Arrieta returned to El Paso and began working as a faculty member for UTEP’s Women’s and Gender Studies Program after earning her second master’s degree.

But her work as a student wasn’t done there, she wanted to break down barriers for women from the Ivory Tower of academia.

“I was always very interested in asking, ‘How do we chip away at those ceilings, those bricks in the wall, how do we get rid of them? What do we study? What do we do? Now, I find myself in the perfect position to do that.”

Ontiveros-Arrieta earned her Ed.D at UTEP in educational administration in higher education before stepping into her role as Interim Director of Women’s and Gender Studies. Today, she looks toward the future while remaining grateful to the women who helped lead her to where she is.

“I feel like so many women have let me stand on their shoulders and I intend to do the same,” she says. “Let students stand on my shoulders, get their graduate degree, get their doctorate, and make things better in our community.”

In honor of the Women’s issue this month, Kelechi and I interviewed the principal of the Young Women’s STEAM Research and Preparatory Academy (YWA), Dr. Cynthia Ontiveros, to discuss her journey into education and how she plans on empowering young women.

Aina Marzia

What was that first year like? How did that first year opening the school feel for you?

Dr. Ontiveros

The first year was a new experience for me as a campus principal. This is my first principal position, but much excitement and just a lot of energy for creating. You know, what we are experiencing today and building and growing and shaping it to meet the needs of our students, but excited to be able to offer opportunities for students and young women to explore STEAM and service.

AM

Now that it’s, like you said, six years into the making, what advice would you give to young women that are here or young women thinking about going into STEM fields but are afraid to take that step?

Dr. O

I think back to when I was your age, and probably younger. I remember wanting to participate in AP courses, or specifically just classes or clubs, and wasn’t given the opportunity because my grades weren’t where they needed to be. I was a good student, but still, I was still not allowed to take AP classes in high school, or offered. And so instead of taking AP Biology, I had to go to physics, which I love because it gave me a really strong foundation in physics. So being told no, or being told that you’re not smart enough or you don’t have the grades, when I know I had high grades. I felt like maybe the school in my system held me back in a way. I think going into college and ]taking classes where you are the only female in that computer science class. I was the only female and also being told that I wasn’t smart enough to be a doctor, a medical doctor. So those things stay in your brain. And as much as I still had the drive and the persistence, a little part of me felt like, “Am I smart enough?” I knew that if we were going to establish a school for girls, we wanted to make sure that they’re offered whatever courses and have the experiences that I didn’t.

I want to go back to the start of this. What made you want to go into education? You said this school is your first year being a principal, what made you want to do that?

When I was growing up, I was fascinated with science and math and I always did very well. I wanted to be a medical doctor. When I was studying for the MCAT,even after I’d graduated, I was working at UTEP and the professors working with me didn’t get tenure. So I thought, “well, the next best thing I can do is tutor or be a substitute.” I had no intention of entering the field of education. I really didn’t. But when I went to apply, I was credentialed with my degree in microbiology and a minor in chemistry, and the human resources director said, “You can be a teacher; you can get paid to be a teacher. You’re going to be in school anyway.”

So I put my name in the hat and I was hired. And it was tough.

My first year was tough because I didn’t go through a traditional educational plan, like becoming a teacher in the program. I was just relying on what I knew, I was thinking of the best teachers in my experience and what they did, so I was just using the tools that I had. I knew that I loved working with the young students. I loved helping them because in the community, where I was teaching at Riverside. Helping the student was also helping the families because it was very much a communitybased area. I fell in love with it. Little by little, I started to want more within that career field. So I got my master’s and then got certified to be an administrator and then went back for my Ph.D. I never got that MD but I got the Ph.D. I feel fulfilled because I feel like I’m helping students and families.

Am

We know that YWA is very different from traditional schools and even just like other all-female schools. Do you think that adding that STEAM in there -- with the A -- gives our students an opportunity that other schools don’t offer?

DR. O

I definitely think that. We really wanted to think about the whole child and not just making students or creating or supporting developing students who are academically sound. The arts really do cater to a lot more of the whole child. Our students can articulate their ideas, our students are great presenters, our students are creative, they’re talented in so many capacities, and I feel like -- as a campus -- we really really capitalized that “A” and it has driven everything else around what we do. But being creative, and being able to carry a conversation to collaborate with peers. All of that may or may not have happened if we had just focused on academics and studies versus making sure we have opportunities for students to present, to grow, to prepare, and show their work. I really think that that’s what sets us apart as a campus and as a school.

KA

What challenges have you faced as a principal at this school, as a new school and building it up from the ground?

DR. O

First, we’re the only 6-12th grade campus, we’re the only single-gender. We’re paving a path that has never been paid before in our area, so making sure that we have sports, making sure that we have access to everything that a traditional high school has. Those are some things that maybe through education, maybe through conversation, we’re able to help achieve. But some things we’ve had to really work for, from our staff, our students, and of course, the administration team. But the beauty is that even working and operating with the parameters of what we have, our students are still doing amazing. That’s proved to me that you don’t need the bells and whistles. What you really need are dedicated educators, who want to see your students succeed, and are there for them to provide these opportunities, and then the rest will come.

AM

Where do you see YWA 10 years from now?

DR. O

This is our first graduating class and we’ve learned a lot; every year we’re learning, growing and adding on. We incorporate a lot of our student voices and a lot of our teachers in our community for our next steps. I see us expanding, I see us growing. I would love to have a pre-K through 12th grade. The whole pipeline of building young women into amazing leaders because you all are phenomenal.

The best way to start most mornings is with a nice hot (or iced) cup of coffee paired with a fresh, toasty pastry. That is to say, as long as you aren’t rushing out the door to get to work or to school, it’s nice to be able to relax while waiting to get something in your belly to wake you up. While there are plenty of cafés and bakeries to choose from in the Borderland, I want to focus on one place that is bound to leave a lasting impression on anyone who walks through its doors.

Nestled up on 2900 N Mesa St., right across from the UTEP Don Haskins center, Weirdoughs Bakery & Café serves up fresh, made from scratch pastries and made to order drinks.

The café is incredibly welcoming with a warm sense of peace surrounding the shop. From the sweet and savory scents of the pastries being made, to the rich aroma of coffee wafting through the shop. Sitting down with a toasted marshmallow almond milk latte and a crème brulee filled donut, you’re able to feel relaxed as music plays overhead.

Co-Owner Andrea Andujo (She/Her) credits the success to experience, after having worked in a bakery before opening the shop.

“Bianca Owens (Co-Owner) and I met when we worked together at another bakery about five years ago,” says Andujo. “Both of us, individually, had always wanted to open up a bakery!”

After going separate ways during the pandemic in 2020, Owens worked at the establishment that occupied the bakery’s space, where she made friends with the owners, who ended up having to close their business during the pandemic.

“The owners liked Bianca a lot and wanted to give her the chance to buy the equipment and jump onto the lease for the building,” Andujo says. “A few days before that happened, we had actually been talking and said, ‘Let’s open our own place!’ We figured the chance had to be worth it!”

With the equipment and space secured, Owens and Andujo became the proud owners of Weirdoughs Bakery and Café and opened their doors on January 26th, 2021.

Despite opening at the beginning of 2021, the Weirdoughs did well during their first year on the basis that folks were finally coming out of quarantine.

“We were still pretty mid-pandemic during that time, but it was actually beneficial because it was a time when things were OPENING and people were tired of being in their house and like “I wanna go somewhere, anywhere!’” Andujo commented.

From working in a bakery to running a bakery, the Weirdoughs had their work cut out for them.

“Bianca and I are very bad at thinking we’re actually running a place. The only time it hits us is when we have to do administrative things,” Andujo jokes. Owning their own shop gives them so much more creative liberty.

The shop itself is designed to be welcoming, from pastel painted walls that reflect the natural sunlight from the storefront windows to fun decorations adorning the tables and shelves. “We decorated everything pretty much ourselves along with help from our friends and family.”

Now you might be wondering, too, why ‘Weirdoughs?’

Well, it’s simply because it fits the coowners’ personalities!

“We actually got inspired by a meme that played on the lyrics of ‘Creep’ by Radiohead, it’s just a pun that makes sense for us!”

Andujo also expanded on how their creativity for the shop had to go into the pastries they serve.

“We knew, for sure, we wanted to make donuts, that was the main thing. We wanted to be able to rotate out flavors every month to experiment with different things, try to get flavors that incorporate different cultures,” she says.

The two little dough balls on the weirdoughs logo are a reference to the two owners, who wear the title “weirdo” with pride.

Weirdoughs also follow the seasons and seasonal holidays when it comes to their flavors.

The Weirdoughs creativity also goes beyond just donuts, as they offer decorative sugar cookies that follow themes of the season or holidays. “Pride month, women’s rights month, black history month, we try to do things to tie in to whatever it is that is happening throughout the year,” Andujo adds.

While they are mostly known for their donuts, Weirdoughs does what they can to serve to everybody, incorporating vegan options into their menu as well.

As is common in the food industry, their recipes are always changing.

“So, during St. Patrick’s Day we had items flavored after typical themes,” Andujo says. “We have the Bailey’s inspired donut, Jameson, we also have a Guinness inspired one too!”

Andujo says that “Our recipes have been evolving since we opened, and we’re always improving on them as we go.” The café also has merchandise available for sale ranging from drink cups to t-shirts featuring fun and trendy designs. “We always try to work with local vendors because it helps! Shop Local!” said Andujo.

With a wide array of flavors and recipes, there are a few favorites that stand out to the customers.

“Our Trixie, which is a sprinkled strawberry donut, it’s a classic that’s year round, it’s always popular,” said Andujo. “For cookies, our Smores would be our popular cookie, and for drinks, our cold brew is another popular item.”

While their kitchen is usually busy, the Weirdoughs still find the time to give back to the community.

“We try to do things with the community, like we have an art wall where local artists can put up their art. We don’t take any commissions from that, it’s just a space for them to put stuff up.” said Andujo. “We like to do things with the community, like donating to different charities within the community.”

Some drives they have done have benefitted the Children’s Center, as well as other non-profit organizations in the city.

With pastries made fresh daily and coffee machines steaming, the weirdoughs offer their service with a smile and a laugh as they hash out orders. There’s always a place for everyone in the Sun City, especially if you’re feeling a little weird.

| Words and

by: CLAUDIA FLORES |