SAN ANTONIO - Twenty-five years after Selena’s death, South Texas continues to identify with the Queen of Tejano music. The feelings are so strong, UTSA is debuting a course this fall titled ‘Selena: A Mexican American Identity and Experience.’

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In this edition of San Antonio’s Voice, professor Sonya Alemán talks with Randy Beamer about her inspiration for the class, what she hopes students will learn, and why Selena still influences so many people in San Antonio.

Alemán explains how Selena opened doors for the Latino culture, allowing it to have a larger mainstream influence. She also tells Randy she hopes students will have a greater appreciation of who they are once the course concludes.

Alemán is an associate professor at UTSA in the Mexican American Studies program. She also serves as the lead editor of the Chicana/Latina Studies: The Journal of Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social. A native of Cotulla, Alemán earned her undergraduate degree from St. Mary’s University, master’s degree from the University of Texas at Austin, and Ph.D. from the University of Utah.

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