Get to know LSA Student Fellow Vicente C. Mata, Jr!
Institution:
Cornell University
Number of years as LSA member:
6
Number of LSA Meetings Attended:
6
Other Association Affiliations:
American Sociological Association
Association for Public Policy Analysis & Management
Latin American Studies Association
Areas of Research:
Structural and Racial Inequality
Immigration
Refugee and Asylum Law
Civil and Human Rights
Mass Incarceration and Rehabilitation
Monetary Sanctions
Favorite Topics to Teach or Research:
Immigration
Unique Skill or Fact:
When I am not focused on my research, I spend my time dabbling in the culinary arts. I have always said if I were not an academic, I would be a chef!
Additional Hobbies:
Painting
Reading
Notable Awards and Grants:
Brooks Dissertation Fellowship, Cornell University | 2026-2027
Graduate Student Fellow, Law and Society Association | 2025-2027
Graduate Student Research Grant Award, Center for Racial Justice and Equitable Futures, Cornell University | 2025-2026
Migrations Graduate Fellow, Einaudi Center for International Studies, Cornell University | 2025-2026
W.E.B. DuBois Scholar Mentee, National Institute of Justice | 2022-2025
Sociological Perspectives Service Commendation, Pacific Sociological Association | 2021
Top Books and/or Publications:
“Robbing Peter to Pay Paul: Public Assistance, Monetary Sanctions, and Financial Double-Dealing in America,” (RSF: The Russell Sage Foundation Journal of the Social Sciences, 2022). With Bryan L. Sykes, Meghan Ballard, Andrea Giuffre, Rebecca Goodsell, Daniela Kaiser, and Justin Sola.
“Barred: Labor Market Dynamics and Human Capital Development Among People on Probation and Parole.” (The Annals of the American Academy of Political and Social Science, 2022). With Bryan L. Sykes, Meghan Ballard, Daniela Kaiser, J. Amanda Sharry, and Justin Sola.
Education:
Ph.D. Candidate, Cornell University | Public Policy (in progress)
M.A., University of California, Irvine | Social Ecology
M.A., University of California, Merced | Sociology
B.A., California State University, Fullerton | Sociology and Chicana/o Studies
A.A., Fullerton College | Sociology and Interdisciplinary Studies: Social Science
Major Appearances:
“Assailing Asylum: The Political Manufacturing of an Asylum Crisis in the United States, 1980-2023.” Presented jointly with Bryan L. Sykes. Law and Society Association Annual Meeting. May 2025
“Assailing Asylum: Affirmative and Defensive Asylum Grant Rates in the United States, 1980-2023.” Virtual Presentation, Migration Lab at Cornell University. 2025.
“Best Practices for Methodological Approaches for Immigration Research.” Virtual Presentation, Graduate Research Methods Seminar at San Jose State University. 2024.
“Appearing Indigent: Judicial Decision-making and the Assessment of Poverty in the Imposition of Monetary Sanctions.” Presented jointly with Bryan L. Sykes, Meghan Ballard, Daniela Kaiser, J. Amanda Sharry, and Justin Sola. Global Meeting on Law and Society. July 2022.
“Robbing Peter to Pay Paul? Financial Double-Dealings, Public Assistance, and the Repayment of Criminal Justice Debt.” Presented jointly with Bryan L. Sykes, Meghan Ballard, Andrea Giuffre, Rebecca Goodsell, Daniela Kaiser, and Justin Sola. Virtual Presentation for the Russell Sage Foundation. February 2021.
What do you find the most beneficial about being an LSA member?
Being an LSA member has provided valuable opportunities to connect and collaborate with scholars from various disciplines and policy analysts across the globe researching relevant and timely issues, particularly those related to migration and public policy. Additionally, as a formerly incarcerated youth, a first-generation college student, and a scholar of color, I bring a distinct perspective on the challenges of navigating structural, institutional, and racial inequalities in the U.S. Thus, I appreciate that the LSA explicitly values diversity, equity, inclusion, and, most importantly, justice, ensuring that all members’ voices are heard and valued within the intellectual community. Lastly, I value the LSA’s strong commitment to mentoring and supporting graduate students and junior faculty. As an LSA member, I have benefited from various mentoring opportunities that have fostered a supportive and positive environment for my personal and professional growth.
Why should professionals or students join LSA?
For professionals and students, becoming a member of LSA is a great way to build a strong network of like-minded scholars committed to rigorous social science research and advocating for social justice and equity.
Learn more about Vicente C. Mata, Jr., his many publications, awards, and involvement with academic organizations here.