VITA
Maxine Christina Sigala – Strong Life Ways Woman
Part-Time Professor
Department of Chicana/o Studies
Metropolitan State University of Denver
Campus Box 41, P.O. Box 173362
Denver, CO 80217-3362
303.556. 3124 Phone
303.556.3178 Fax
Education:
Colorado State University, 2008, Ph.D. Educational Leadership (not completed)
Iliff School of Theology, 2002, Masters of Arts in Religion Concentration: Justice-Peace Studies-Civil Rights Movements
University of Denver Graduate School of Social Work, 2000, Masters of Social Work Concentration: Children, Families and Youth
Metropolitan State University of Denver, 1996, Bachelor of Science: Human Services
Mandated Reporter Training for Colorado Educators, 2015,
Mandated Reporter Training for Mental Health Professionals, 2015
Colorado State Board of Community Colleges and Occupational Education: Credential for Career and Technical Education: ID #CCD102710001
Colorado Dept. of Regulatory Agencies:Registered Psychotherapist - 2015
License Number: NLC.0007009
University Teaching Experience:
Part-Time Professor, 2006 – 2015, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Courses: Introduction to Chicana/o Studies – Blackboard –Designed On-Line Courses
Assistant Professor Human Services, 2010 – 2011, Community College of Denver
Courses: Intro Human Services, Intro Social Welfare, Ethnic/Social Issues in Human Services, Therapeutic Systems, Public Speaking
Adjunct Faculty, 2003-2006 - Metropolitan State University of Denver
Courses: Social Work Dept.- On-Line: Human Behavior Social Environment 1 & 2
Adjunct Professor, 2002, 2005, Metropolitan State University of Denver
Courses: Native American Studies - Introduction to American Indian Studies
Professional Experience:
Social Worker 9/2013 – present - Annunciation Catholic School –Archdiocese of Denver, CO.
Responsible for all supportive services for students and families; housings, rental support, writing letters to probation and courts, provided parenting, nutrition classes, and met one-on-one with parents, teachers and students for class-room behavioral support. Wrote letters for monetary donations for programs and events such as Peace Day, and holidays as well as co-creating a strong collaboration with community partnerships for our families; Knights of Columbus, Most Precious Blood, Risen Christ, Mother Cabrini, Denver Botanic Gardens, Denver Urban Gardens, Servicios de la Raza, etc..Supervisedtwo DU GSSW Master Students and two MSU Interns
Interim Associate Director, Institute for Women’s Studies and Services, 2004 - 2006
Metropolitan State University of Denver – Dr. Jodi Wetzel
Responsible for all non-credit Women’s Studies programs including student support services to recruit and retain a diverse student body. Obtained MSU Diversity Grants and oversaw a budget ($15K) for Programs.Supervised University of CO Graduate School of Public Affairs Intern
Clinical Therapist, Miracles Program, 2004 - 2006
Mile High Council on Alcoholism andDrugAbuse, Denver. CO.
Conducted psycho-social assessments for women; some with dual-diagnosed disorders of mental health and substance abuse. Successfully developed and implemented the Spiritual Clinical Program for clients. Supervised a Community College of Denver Intern
Program Manager–Job Coach, 1999 - 2002
The Spot – Youth Center (14-24yrs) - Denver, CO.
Responsible for recruitment, hiring and termination of employees and volunteers who would help marginalized youth in learning life skills: GED, Music, Computer Certification.Field Supervisor for the University of Denver’s Graduate School of Social Work.
Case Manager, 1997 - 1999
Servicios de la Raza, Inc. Denver, CO.
Provided individual assessments and counseling for women to assist in the transitional process of the Welfare to Work Program. Helped women with domestic violence support, employment.
Service to Metropolitan State University:
Chair: Metropolitan State University (MSU) Annual Lalo Delgado Poetry Festival, 2007 – 2015
Quantitative and Qualitative Reviewer and Grader of Artifacts: Dr. Nels Grevstad, 2015- Jan
Faculty AdvisorJourney through Our Heritage- - 2006 - 2015
Co-Chair: MSU Chicana/o Studies: El Dia De Los Muertos Program, 2014
MSU Martin Luther King Committee: Emcee (Peace Celebrant), 2007, Mayor Webb
Martin Luther King Peace Award Committee Member, 2005 - 2011
MSU Open House Chicana/o Studies Department Representative, 2007- 2011
Service to Metropolitan State University:
MSU Chicana/o Studies Chair: Dolores Huerta - Civil Rights Leader Seminar, 2010
Chicana/o Studies Department: Curriculum Committee Member, 2010 - 2011
Chair: Seminar: “Indigenous Peoples of America & Historical Trauma Theory”
Dr. Maria Yellow-Horse Brave-Heart, Native American Scholar, 2009
Chair: Seminar:Dance of the Flower Medicine:Mexican/Chicano Health Symposium, 2009
Faculty Advisor: Society for the Advancement of Native Americans/ Chicano’s Science, 2009
Co-Chair: Wise Women of the Southwest: Return of the Corn Mother, 2008 - 2009
Latina/o Administrative and Faculty Association Member, 2006-2012
Co-Chair: The Richard T. Castro Distinguished Visiting Professorship, 2006 – 2008
Grant Writing Experience - MSUPresident’s Diversity Initiatives Program ($5,000.00)
8th Annual Lalo Delgado Poetry, April 2015 ($8, 000.00) Key Note: Jimmy Santiago Baca
Chicana/o Studies: El Dia De Los Muertos Program, 2014, ($2500.00)
Chicana/o StudiesAnnual Lalo Delgado Poetry Festival, 2007 - 2015
Dolores Huerta Civil Rights Leader 80th Birthday Symposium”, 2010, ($3700.00)
Dr. Maria Yellow-Horse Seminar: Indigenous Peoples of America, 2009
Chicana/o Studies: El Dia de los Muertos, 2009, ($1800)
The Dance of the Flower Medicine: Mexican/Chicano Health, 2009, ($3,000)
MSU Wise Woman of the South West: Return of the Corn Mothers, 2009
Women’s Studies: Chicana Scholar, Elena Avila, RN, MSN, Curandera, 2008 – 2009
Richard T. Castro Visiting Professorship, Committee Member, 2006
Women’s Studies: Dr. Maria Yellow Horse: Historical Unresolved Grief & Trauma, 2003
Presentations & Conferences:
University of Colorado at Denver: American Indian Student Services: Presentation:Indigenous Intellectual Interchange: Preserving Oral Traditions-Native Women Stories, 03/2015
Holy Cross Church: Preparing for Seven Generations: Tonantzin, 01/2015
Latina Voices:Latinas Leadership in the 21st Century, 09/2014, Colo. Springs
Strengthening Colorado Families and Communities Conference: State Of Colorado Office of the Colorado Child Welfare Training: Keystone, Co. 09/2014
Presentation: Latina/o’s Youth Leadership: Ricardo Flores Magon Academy: 08/2014
Pedagogy of Privilege Conference : Workshop: Moving Beyond Colonial Space of the “Other”, presented with Professor Helen Giron, Doctoral Candidate, University of Denver:, 08/2013
Seminar: Creating Positive Academic Experiences: 11thAnnual Faculty of Color Retreat, Regis University Office of Diversity, 10/2013, Sonia Del Real,
Presentation: Preparing for Seven Generations @ Sacred Heart Jesuit Retreat,Regis University Office of Diversity: Sandra Mitchell, Chief Diversity Officer, 11/2013
Key-Note Speaker: Students as Community Leaders, Latina/o Graduation: Overland High School Aurora, CO. 05/2013
Key-Note Speaker: Women Leaders in the 21st Century, TRI-IOTAHonors Society in Women's Studies for Metropolitans State University of Denver, 05/2013
Presentation: Remembering our Foremothers and Welcoming Future Women Leaders: Metropolitan State University of Denver: Outstanding Women’s Awards, 05/2013
Presentation: The Hoop of Life: Honoring the Past and Preparing for Seven Generations. Regis University Office of Diversity, 11/2012, Sonia Del Real
Seminar: Native American Talking Circles: 10th Annual Faculty of Color Retreat RegisUniversity Office of Diversity, 10/2012,Sonia Del Real,
Blessing Opening Ceremony: Corn Mother Welcome, MSU Center for Visual Arts, 11/2012
Presentation: Creating Shared Spaces of Community, Family and College Education, National Council of Women’s Societies: Taste of Nigeria, 10/2012
Lecturer: Mexican/Native American Culture and Higher Education Support Systems, MSU, and Denver Public Schools (DPS) Summer 2012 College Experience Camp
MSU Women’s Studies Presentation: Women’s History Month: Mexican/Native American Women in Higher Education, 03/2012
Talk: Video: Native AmericanMexican Culture - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 2012 Civil Rights/Human Rights Story,Aurora, CO. 01/11/12 - Barbara Shannon- Bannister
Presentations & Conferences:
Workshop: Latina/o Youth Identity and College Success, La Raza Youth Conference, 2011
Presentation:Native American Talking Circle: Prepare for Prayer, Rev. Diana J. Flahive and Cecilia Flores, 01/2010
Lecture: Native American Talking Circles: Curanderismo and Promotores (Mexican Education Advocates), Planned Parenthood, 10/2010, Marcie Moore Gantz, Director of Diversity
Workshop: Native American Spirituality: What is it? Jefferson Unitarian Church, 05/2009
Workshop: Youth, Education & Self Confidence, Mecha-Latina Youth Conference, 05/2009
Lecture: Native American and Mexican bereavement Traditions surrounding Death, MSU, Professor Wonstolen, 03/2009
Workshop: Mental Health & Curanderismo: Indigenous Healing in Action, Western Social Science Association 50th Annual Conference 2008, Presented with Dr. Ramon Del Castillo
Key Note Speaker: Follow Your Dream: Believing in Yourself: Making College a Reality,MSU Mecha - Latina Youth Conference, 05, 2008
Lecture: Mental Health and Curanderismo, Presentation to Dr. Elisa Facio Chicana/o Studies class at CU Boulder, 03, 2008.
Presentation: At Risk High School Students who are Pregnant: College and Your Dreams, Zonta Women’s Club International Denver Chapter, 2004 - 2008
Presentation: Your Career Path and College, CEC Middle College of Denver (DPS), 2005- 2008
Presentation: Integration of Mexican & Native American Spirituality into the Clinical Assessment Process, Denver Family Crises Center Clinical Staff, Ms. Dellena Aguilar, 2006
Lecture: Native American and Mexican Healing Practices North Range Behavioral Health Multicultural Services Program, Greeley, CO., 05/2006
Lecture: Native American Youth & Cultural Identity,National Indian Education Association 36th Annual Convention: Cultural Resiliency: Educating Minds Moving Mountains, 2005
National Association of Social Work Colorado Chapter, Breckenridge, Co., Presentation: Clinical Assessment & Treatment: Working with Native American and Mexican/Latino Communities. Spring 2005
Presentation: Promoting Therapies and Health Practices for Mexican and American Indian Communities, University of Colorado Health Science Center, Nursing Doctoral Program: Dr. Fran Reeder, 2003 - 2005.
Presentation: Native American and Mexican Traditional Healing Practices, MSUHealth Education Programming at Auraria Campus, 2004
Presentations & Conferences:
Presentation: Women’s Spirituality in the Criminal Justice System, U.S. Govt. Promising Practices: Linking Health & Criminal Justice for Women & Girls,2003
Lecture for Multicultural Class: Recognizing Racism in Campus Communities, CU Denver, Graduate School of Counseling, 12/2002, Dr. Steve Byers
Civic Community CommitteesVolunteer:
Our Lady of Guadalupe Church: President Altar & Rosary Society, First Holy Communion & Confirmation Instructor, Fiesta Coordinator, and Volunteer, 21 years
MSU Alumni Association Volunteer, 2009 – present
Denver Mayoral Appointment to the Women’s Commission, 2012 – 2014
Denver Mayors’ Diversity Awards Committee Member, Anthony Aragon, 2012 - 2013
Latina/o Youth Leadership Conference: Staff Volunteer 2012
9 News Health Fair: Volunteer - Denver Indian Center - 04/2012
American GI Forum Member & Women’s Committee, 2008 to present
Volunteer: United Way Homeless Project, Auraria Campus - 2010, 2011 (with my students)
Volunteer: Chicano Human Art Council (CHAC) 2008 – 2010
Colorado Latino Fórum Member, 2009-11
Vice President, Board Member: American Association of University Women, and Chair of the Scholarship Committee, 2006 - 2009
Colorado Latino Fórum Member, 2009-11
Volunteer: Sam Sandos Christmas Food Basket Program, 2009
MSU Volunteer, Family Project Homeless Connect, United Way, 2009
Western Social Science Association Member 2008-2009
Sunny Side Music Community Festival 9/6/08, Volunteer: Face Painting
Democratic National Convention 2008: Volunteer: Native Nations Uniting For Change, Policy
Day: National Congress of American Indians
Public Nuisance Abatement Committee – Appointed by Mayor Hickenlooper, 2006 - 2008
Zonta Club of Denver Member MSU Women’s Studies, 2006 - 2008
Cesar Chavez Peace and Justice Committee Member, 2004 - 2006
Board Member: Sisters of Color United for Education, 2004 – 2005
Works in Progress:
“Mental Health and Indigenous Healing Ceremonies: Positive Outcomes”, 2015
“Higher Education Administration and Native American Woman: Glass Ceilings”, 2015
Professional Organizations:
Western Social Science Organization -
National Association for Chicana/o Studies -2015
1