Jan. 27, 2023 — A book co-authored by CSUCI Vice Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti is one the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education’s books of the year.
“Proving Patriotismo: Latino Military Recruitment, Service and Belonging in the U.S,” which she co-wrote with East Stroudsburg University Political Science professor Adam McGlynn, was selected in the Senior Scholar Category. The authors will be recognized March 3 at the association’s 2023 national conference.
The association’s Publications Committee said it was impressed with their scholarly work and thought the book is “highly relevant to the Latinx community” and “will make an impact.”
Inspired by conversations with Lavariega Monforti’s Latino students, the book demonstrates why Latinos are a growing target for U.S. military recruitment and why those seeking to improve their economic station and their acceptance as Americans are open to these overtures.
Hispanics make up a disproportional share of the armed forces and are the fastest growing segment. The Pew Research Center found that the share of active-duty military who are Hispanic rose from 25% in 2004 to 36% in 2017. In 2020, Hispanics accounted for 19% of all Americans.
Lavariega Monforti and McGlynn provided the first analysis of the topic based on data rather than theory.