Discipline: Literature
Dr. Marcela Rodriguez-Campo was born in Cali, Colombia, and immigrated to the United States at the age of five. Her early childhood was shaped by the legacy of narcoterrorism in Colombia and the family separation she experienced during her journey north. She found healing and empowerment through painting and poetry, which became central to her advocacy and passions as an educator. When language failed her, painting and poetry gave her the tools to name her lived experiences. These early memories inform her writing, which takes a synesthetic approach by exploring memory through texture and embodiment.
In 2021, Rodriguez-Campo earned a Ph.D. in curriculum and instruction with a specialization in cultural studies, international education, and multicultural education from the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. She also holds a master’s degree in curriculum and instruction from UNLV and a bachelor’s degree in English from Washington State University. With more than 10 years of experience in K-20 education, she has served as a local educator, DEI director, and consultant.
Rodriguez-Campo’s writing blends poetry, prose, and research to explore themes of immigrant experiences, belonging, education, identity, and healing. As a writing instructor, she draws on her educational expertise to help participants tap into memory and uses inquiry-based learning techniques to foster exploration and creativity. Her approach is expansive, community-informed, and research-based, using writing as a tool for healing and empowerment. She is the founding director of Co-Libre Education.