Dr. Marielisbet Perez-Quetives earned her Ph.D. from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign in the Department of Education Policy, Organization and Leadership, with a double concentration in Social Sciences and Education Policy, and Higher Education. As a first-generation college student, she is proud to be the first in her family to attend graduate school and receive a doctoral degree.

She was born and raised in San Jose, California. Her mother was born and raised in the Central Valley of California, and her father is native-born Mexican. Perez-Quetives was raised by her mother and eldest uncle, Florentino (Tino) Esparza Jr. Tino was the only one of his four siblings to graduate from high school. At the age of 22, Tino moved his mother and four siblings from a life of migrant work to San Jose to seek better work opportunities. In his own words, Tino said, “I wanted my brothers and sisters to have a better life because working in the fields is too hard.” Although Tino’s father was present, Tino was the diligent father figure to his siblings and cared for his mother throughout his adult life until her passing in 1980. 

Perez-Quetives recalls her mother and Tio Tino sharing stories about their upbringing and working in the fields as teenagers. She has memories of traveling to Huron, Coalinga, Hanford, and other small rural areas in the Central Valley. Her mother, Rebecca, cherished being born and raised in a small town and often shared stories about her childhood on a ranch, where she picked cotton and grapes alongside her brother, Tino.

Dr. Perez-Quetives expresses gratitude to her mother, Rebecca, and Tio Tino for instilling a strong work ethic in her. Although she did not appreciate the significance of visiting her mother's hometown during her childhood, she now deeply values and cherishes her family's history. The stories and experiences shared by her family have guided her into adulthood, shaping her into a loving daughter, niece, and mother.

As a Chicana scholar and human advocate, Perez-Quetives is dedicated to promoting equity and kindness. She believes that everyone deserves to be treated with humanity and respect, regardless of their neighborhood or socioeconomic background. Access to education and higher education opportunities should be a civil right for all, irrespective of race, ethnicity, age, socioeconomic status, citizenship, or other intersectional identities.

In honor of her family and upbringing, Dr. Perez-Quietives dedicates her scholarship and career to supporting historically marginalized populations. Dr. Perez-Quetives says:

I want other Latinas, especially single mothers, to know we are the hardest working, most dedicated, and intelligent muyers (women). There is no such thing as imposters. We belong in leadership roles regardless of the inequity structures of power that try to exclude us. Remember, we are the fighters of our families, children, and community. Never give up!

As a young girl, Perez-Quetives never considered herself brilliant. However, becoming a mother transformed her perspective. Motherhood provided her with strength and a new mindset. Her children, Jose and Savannah, inspired her to return to school and complete her Associate of Arts and Bachelor of Arts degrees. After excelling at San José State University, Perez-Quetives decided to pursue graduate school and a doctoral degree. As a single mother, she aimed to be a positive role model for her children, demonstrating that anything is possible.

Dr. Perez-Quetives is passionate and purposeful about teaching, supporting, and mentoring students. Students are at the heart of everything she does and serve as her primary motivators. Their mental and physical well-being is of utmost importance to her. She expresses:

Mentoring and interacting with students is what I love most. I am especially interested in seeing first-generation students from diverse backgrounds succeed and accomplish their goals. First-generation undergraduate and graduate students, mothering and fathering students, students of color, lower-income students, and transfer students need mentorship at all levels. I even need support and guidance from my mentors. It never ends!

Dr. Perez-Quetives attributes her success to her approach of seeking and receiving support from individuals who offer guidance and mentorship with a non-judgmental and compassionate mindset. Her research and advocacy work on social justice and inequity emphasize the importance of understanding the complexity of intersectional identities, cultures, and the social demographic backgrounds of students, and how these factors contribute to their educational, social, and economic successes and challenges. She is committed to continuing her efforts in mentoring and educating the next generation of racially diverse students at both two-year and four-year colleges and universities.

Images: Mural Hunting in San Jose, California: A Street Art Safari, 2025 and Big Ron, Carlos R. & Steve, 2024