Susana Muñoz, an assistant professor in CSU’s School of Education, is among the “Top 25 Women in Higher Education and Beyond,” according to the magazine Diverse Issues in Higher Education.

It is the sixth year that the magazine has issued the list, in honor of Women’s History Month. The profile of Muñoz recognizes her research on issues of college access, persistence and identity among underrepresented student populations, with an emphasis on the experience of undocumented and Latino/a students.

The March 9 edition also notes that the native of Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico who calls Sioux City, Iowa, home, examined the lives of 13 student activists in her first book, Identity, Social Activism, and the Pursuit of Higher Education: The Journey Stories of Undocumented and Unafraid Community Activists.

“We salute and honor a diverse group of women who have made significant contributions in higher education and beyond,” the magazine wrote.

Muñoz was also honored by the federal government last year for her work on access, identity and college persistence for undocumented Latina/o students. She was featured in a series of question-and-answer profiles written by Emmanuel Caudillo, senior advisor for the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics in the U.S. Department of Education.

Muñoz received her Ph.D. from Iowa State University after completing her master’s degree in CSU’s Student Affairs in Higher Education program in 2000. She taught at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee before returning to CSU.

“I am humbled to be recognized for my work on equity and immigration justice,” Muñoz said. “During these politically turbulent times, I encourage higher education institutions to be vigilant about centering equity and inclusion in their own practice and policies.”

The School of Education is in CSU’s College of Health and Human Sciences.