Ari Perez Montes

Ari Perez Montes is a Ronald E. McNair Fellow and Ph.D. student in the Communication Science area in the Department of Communication. Ari completed their M.A. in Communication from UMD and their B.A. in Communication Studies (Ethnic & Gender Studies and a minor in Psychology)  from California State University, Monterey Bay.

Ari’s broad research interests examine the formation of Queer/Trans Identities and Spaces. Specifically, showing how the systems of oppression affect transgender and gender non-conforming individuals, how their identities are formed as a result of those systems, and how they choose or do not choose to confront those systems. In their research they try to emphasize and center the importance of community engagement and accessibility to research. Ari has taught COMM107, COMM324, and COMM382.