Assistant Professor of Political Science at the University of Michigan and 2018 LSA Collegiate Fellow (Political Science)
About
Dr. Ocampo's research examines how racial, ethnic, and religious minorities become politically incorporated, both as everyday participants and as political leaders in American institutions. Specifically, she investigates the factors that mobilize Latinos and other minorities to engage politically at different levels. Her current research on this topic investigates how perceived inclusion and a sense of belonging to US society influence political participation among Latinos. Dr. Ocampo's research also explores how political parties and institutional forces shape the path of minorities into elected office.
Dr. Ocampo has been committed to advocating for the inclusivity of various racial, ethnic, socioeconomic and religious perspectives in academic settings and in the wider community. Some of her previous involvement includes: programmer for a Latino Heritage series focusing on legacies and contributions of Latinos in the US, involvement in campus-wide campaign centered on inclusion and tolerance, volunteering with Alumni of Color initiative to fundraise for scholarships for low-income minority students, volunteering as an ESL instructor for adult learners, mentoring first generation students and students from underrepresented backgrounds, and advocating for the equality of women and racial and ethnic minorities in the academy. Dr. Ocampo's commitment to inclusion and diversity have been recognized by the Ford Foundation, the Edward A. Bouchet Graduate Honor Society, and the Midwest Women's Caucus for Political Science.
Research Area Keyword(s):
American politics; race, ethnicity, and politics; political behavior; political parties.
