91ÊÓÆµ

Association honors Lavariega Monforti’s book

Vice Provost Jessica Lavariega Monforti speaks at Commencement.

Jan. 27, 2023 — A book co-authored by 91ÊÓÆµ 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.