- Born in El Salvador, grew up in housing projects, knew no English, now a professor with a Ph.D. in English
- Featured in nationally syndicated show, American Latino TV, NPR, CBS News Radio, and Univision
- Pushcart Prize Winner
- NEATE Poet of the Year
Author of the International Latino Book Award Finalist, Toys Made of Rock, and When Love Was Reels
National Association of Multicultural Education CT Faculty of the Year
Fulbright Scholar
AAHHE Outstanding Latino Faculty of the Year
Featured The Moth Storyteller
Experienced, popular keynote and motivational speaker for events at colleges, universities, and organizations throughout the U.S.