Rate My Professor Carmen Nava

Carmen Nava, Ph.D., is a Professor of History in the College of Humanities, Arts, Behavioral and Social Sciences at California State University, San Marcos, where she also serves as Associate Dean of Curriculum, Academic Programs, and Student Success. She previously chaired the History Department. Nava earned her B.A. in History summa cum laude from California State University, Northridge, and her Ph.D. in Latin American History from the University of California, Los Angeles. Her research specializations include nationalism in Brazil, gender in Latin America, and Chicano/Latino history. Committed to student mentorship, she participates in the Faculty Mentoring Program, encouraging critical thinking about the past and its relevance to contemporary communities.

Nava began her academic career at CSUSM immediately after her doctorate, motivated by the opportunity to contribute to building a new CSU campus. She directed the faculty development center and chaired Academic Senate committees for curriculum and faculty affairs. Additionally, she is a founding member of the Board of Directors at the San Diego Children’s Discovery Museum in Escondido. Key among her publications is Brazil in the Making: Facets of National Identity (Rowman & Littlefield, 2006), which she lead co-edited and for which she contributed the chapter 'Forging Future Citizens in Brazilian Public Schools, 1937–1945.' Nava received the CSUSM President’s Outstanding Faculty Award for Service Leadership in 2015-2016. Her leadership and service have significantly impacted institutional development and student success at CSUSM.