Dr. Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, a distinguished educator and activist, addressed a full audience at Delta College’s Dawn Mabalon Forum on Thursday, April 3 as part of the Ethnic Studies Department Spring Series Speaker Event.
Tintiangco-Cubales is a professor at San Francisco State University, where her academic focus is on ethnic studies and education.
Throughout her career, she has been involved in the development of ethnic studies curricula and has engaged extensively in community service projects, being recognized for her contributions to educational policy in California, particularly in integrating multicultural and inclusive perspectives in education.
Tintiangco-Cubales addressed the importance of cultural recognition in education during her speech.
“Cultures are being devalued if they are not white culture,” she said, highlighting the systemic biases that often overshadow diverse histories and contributions within academic environments.
Further emphasizing the need for comprehensive educational reform, Dr. Tintiangco-Cubales argued for the integration of Ethnic Studies across all educational levels.
“Ethnic Studies deserve to be in every school,” she declared, advocating for curricula that reflect and respect the pluralistic nature of society.
The insights shared by Tintiangco-Cubales underscore a growing recognition of the importance of ethnic studies in shaping a more inclusive and comprehensive educational landscape.
Tintiangco-Cubales has been honored as one of the 100 most influential Filipinas in the world by Filipina Women’s Network (FWN), a non-profit organization that recognizes women of Philippine ancestry who have made significant contributions to their fields and are influential on a global scale.
Professor Eugene Gambol, Associate Professor of Ethnic Studies at Delta College, who organized the event, shared insights into the selection of Tintiangco-Cubales as the speaker.
“Her role in advocating for the California Ethnic Studies requirement both in higher education and at the K-12 level is vital. She brings with her a legacy of commitment to these issues, deeply rooted in the history of the 1968 San Francisco State College student strike,” said Gambol.
The 1968 San Francisco State College student strike, led by the Black Student Union and the Third World Liberation Front, was the longest campus strike in U.S. history. It resulted in the creation of the College of Ethnic Studies, pioneering curriculum reforms to include diverse cultural perspectives and address racial injustices.
The Ethnic Studies Department at Delta College plans to continue this dialogue by hosting more guest speakers throughout the Spring Series Event.
