UC Santa Barbara’s Distinguished Professor of Spanish and Portuguese Sara Poot Herrera is featured in The Current in the article “How to Build Global Community Through Mexican Literature.” The piece highlights how Poot Herrera’s scholarship and mentorship transcend the classroom, using literature as a bridge for cultural dialogue and community-building.
At the heart of her work is the legacy of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, the 17th-century Mexican poet and intellectual whose feminist ideals continue to inspire Poot Herrera’s research and teaching. Her extensive publications on Sor Juana and other influential Mexican authors such as Juan Rulfo, Elena Poniatowska and Rosario Castellanos demonstrate how literature shapes collective understanding across generations.
Beyond her productive scholarship, Poot Herrera has created networks of collaboration that unite academics, authors and students globally. She co-founded UC Mexicanistas, a community of over 170 members that has grown organically from shared scholarly interests, fostering mentorship, international exchange and the publication of collaborative research.
Recognized with numerous international honors, Poot Herrera’s vision is clear: “Literature and life flow into each other seamlessly. We must continue Sor Juana’s legacy by using education and scholarship to build inclusive communities that transcend boundaries and unite people.”