Melissa K. Ochoa Garza

Dr. Melissa K. Ochoa is a Lecturer at Texas A&M University. She received a PhD in Sociology and a Women’s and Gender Studies certificate from Texas A&M University. Prior to graduate studies, she obtained two undergraduate degrees, Psychology and Public Relations & Rhetorical Advocacy, from Purdue University in 2009.

Her research seeks to understand the context in which sexism is experienced among different racial groups and genders through daily interactions. Specifically, her research connects the micro-level displays of power in gender to a larger, oppressive system. Systemic forms of sexism have continued for thousands of years ensuring women’s lower status in society, although these forms have varied throughout time and culture. She is specifically looking to understand the normalization of sexism by studying not just the contexts, but also investigating which actors embrace, perpetuate, and contribute to these sexism frames and the ways in which they do it.

Courses Taught at Texas A&M

• SOCI 203: U.S.-Mexico Border
• SOCI 205: Introduction to Sociology
• SOCI/WGST 207: Introduction to Gender and Society