Assistant Dean of Advising and Director of the James Baldwin Scholars Program Karina Fernández Montilla 02F Honored with Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Award

We spoke with Fernández Montilla about her journey to, from, and back again to Hampshire, her career as an educator, and her new award from the Massachusetts American Council on Education Women’s Network.

What drew you to Hampshire as a student, and why did you choose it?

In many ways, I was a Hampshire student before I even knew Hampshire existed. I intentionally chose to attend a high school that emphasized narrative evaluations and required community service. I come from an immigrant family and grew up in an immigrant community. By the time I was going to high school, I was very aware of how much my family had sacrificed to give me the opportunity to attend college in this country. I was raised to work hard and to give back.

I was looking for a college centered on social justice where I could pursue my education while also doing work that contributed to meaningful change in my community. Hampshire was my dream school. I wasn’t sure whether I could get in or afford it, but my guidance counselor told me about the James Baldwin Scholarship, which made Hampshire a possibility for me. I almost didn’t apply because, as a first-generation immigrant student, I was overwhelmed by the Hampshire application’s additional requirements. Thankfully, my high school mentor, Mr. Healy, was there to give me one last push. He’s someone who really inspired me to be an educator. He knew me well, and he knew Hampshire was the place for me. Those are the kind of moments that make a difference in a young person’s life. I’m still in touch with him, and he has supported other students in applying to Hampshire and the Baldwin program.

What did you study? Did your academic interests change during your time here?

I studied education, Latin@, and Latin American studies. I thought I wanted to be a teacher. I was inspired by the teachers I had the opportunity to work with, who had a transformative impact on my educational journey. By the end of my time at Hampshire, I was set on attending graduate school to become a guidance counselor.

Were any faculty or staff especially helpful or supportive during your time as a student?

Oh! There are so many faculty and staff members who were supportive. As far as faculty: Kristen Luschen, Will Ryan, Ellie Siegel, Lili Kim, and Margaret Cerullo. They were not only great teachers but also great advisors. Mary Bombardier, Kiara Nagel, and Maddie Marquez were very supportive staff members throughout my time as a student. I also took Five College courses and worked with great professors, among them Ginetta Candelario.

Returning to work with Baldwin Scholars and other Hampshire students enables me to support students who remind me of my younger self, students who arrive with talent, resilience, and a deep commitment to their communities.

What did you do postgraduation? How and why did you decide to go into education?

I held an Alumni Fellow position at Hampshire while preparing for graduate school. I knew I wanted to pursue a graduate degree in education. I attended a summer bridge program called the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT). The IRT addresses the lack of diversity in the nation’s teaching faculties by recruiting outstanding students of color and other scholars committed to diversity, counseling them through the graduate school application process, and advocating for sufficient funding for advanced study. During the IRT summer program, I was introduced to higher education as a professional field, and it made a lot of sense given my undergraduate studies and work experience.

I obtained a master’s degree in student development in higher education, with a concentration in multicultural education, from the University of Maine in 2009.
For almost two decades, my work in higher education has centered on helping historically underserved students navigate their academics, career aspirations, and postgraduate plans. As an educator, I’m dedicated to helping students access and navigate higher education successfully.

There are two programs that not only inspired me to become an educator but also facilitated educational and professional opportunities: the James Baldwin Scholarship Program at Hampshire College and the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers. At the core of those programs are people invested in the success of their students and creating a greater positive impact as those students pursue their careers.

Ultimately, the way my parents raised me influenced and prepared me for the field of education because of their dedication to our home communities. One intersectional framework that influences my work is Tara Yosso’s concept of Community Cultural Wealth. Cultural wealth interrupts a deficit approach and provides language for students to reflect on what cultural knowledge and resources they bring to academic spaces. I’ve witnessed young people soar because they gain a strengths-based understanding of how they shape their education, success, and society.

When did you come back to campus as a member of the staff? What influenced your decision to return?

After my one-year alumni fellowship at Hampshire, I was away for a couple of years pursuing a graduate degree and working. I always stayed connected through the James Baldwin Program. I returned at the end of 2010 to become the educational outreach coordinator for the Childhood, Youth, and Learning Program. I worked with students and faculty to explore critical questions about how children and youth grow, change, create, and learn. That position was aligned with my interest in education and community-based learning. Once again, Hampshire provided me with the opportunity to do some work that had a positive impact at the College and beyond.

Please talk about the work you’re doing now, both at Hampshire and elsewhere.

I’ve been director of the James Baldwin Scholars Program (JBSP) for almost 12 years. I work with students who have historically been underrepresented in higher education, including multicultural, first-generation, LGBTQIA+, and working-class students. For almost five years, I’ve served as an assistant dean of advising. I primarily work with Division II students to support them as they navigate Divisional transitions through programming and individualized academic plans. I’ve built strong cross-departmental collaborations with admissions, writing programs, cultural centers, and career services. I work closely with staff and faculty to support our students in accomplishing their academic and career goals. Outside of Hampshire, I’m connected with several organizations, such as the Leadership Institute for Political Public Impact (LIPPI), the Massachusetts Women of Color Coalition (MAWOCC), and the Sojourner Truth School for Social Change Leadership. I’ve also served on the board of directors for several local educational nonprofit organizations. 

My involvement with the Institute for Recruitment of Teachers (IRT) has played a pivotal role in my professional development. As an IRT faculty member, the program served as my intellectual home, where I engaged with other scholars who concentrated in the fields of education and the humanities. The IRT gave me the wonderful opportunity to teach future scholars and teachers what it means to provide students from diverse backgrounds with an educational experience that challenges them to engage in a rigorous academic curriculum and to develop academically, professionally, and personally. I continue to partner with IRT as an alumni recruiter to support students in the graduate application process. I’ve also served on its alumni committee. My long-standing relationship with the IRT as an alum, faculty member, and alums recruiter has created pathways to graduate school for students interested in education and the humanities.

Congratulations once again on your recent Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Justice Award! What does it entail?

Thanks. This award honors a champion of change whose vision and contributions focus on transforming structural systems to advance women in Massachusetts colleges and universities. The award is given out by the American Council on Education (ACE) Women’s Network in Massachusetts. I was nominated by James Baldwin/Hampshire Scholar alum Judah Vashti Doty.

I usually shy away from the spotlight because I believe my work is best demonstrated by my students. This is my second career award, highlighting the longevity of my work. The first happened a couple of years ago. It was the Dr. Sue Estler Distinguished Alumnx Award. This award honors Suzanne E. Estler, Associate Professor Emerita of Higher Education at the University of Maine. It recognizes alums who contribute to positive campus climate, equity, inclusion, and policy. I was also nominated by a former student of mine who is a UMaine and IRT alum.

Both former students have earned a master’s degree in higher education and have collaborated with me on numerous projects to create opportunities for undergraduate students. Being an educator is very rewarding and very challenging, especially right now. To me, being nominated for an award by Judah, who is not only a successful educator but also cares deeply and is invested in the success of programs like the Baldwin Program and the IRT, makes this award special.

The work in diversity, equity, inclusion, and justice is arduous and essential to our communities. I’m truly honored to receive this award. In my work, I strive to center gratitude and joy, and this moment feels like a beautiful reflection of that. I want to share this recognition with the incredible community that has supported me and my wonderful colleagues whose collaboration makes this work possible. Most importantly, I’m deeply grateful to the students I’ve worked with. Thank you for trusting me to be part of your educational and career journey — you are the reason I love what I do.

Anything else you’d like us to know?

Places like Hampshire College are essential for future generations. They create space for students to think critically, challenge systems, and imagine more equitable communities. Hampshire shaped not only my education but also my sense of purpose. Returning to work with Baldwin Scholars and other Hampshire students enables me to support students who remind me of my younger self, students who arrive with talent, resilience, and a deep commitment to their communities.

One of the most rewarding parts of my work is the relationships I’ve built with alums and members of the broader community. They’re people who continue to show up as collaborators, mentors, and advocates — people who are changing the work!