Nina Ortiz
Background:
Cristina (Nina) Ortiz is a second year socio-cultural anthropology graduate student working towards her MA/PhD. Her MA project deals with quince años celebrations in Iowa. Her project seeks to contribute to work that considers rituals such as the quinceañera as processes rather than static instances. She hopes that by looking at the quinceañera through the lens of individuals and communities trying to forge and express who they are in ways that both honor their traditions and their daily lives, one can better understand why the celebrations look the way they do and what they mean to the people who are involved. Nina has an undergraduate degree in International Studies and Spanish (with a minor in French) from Central College and an MA in Spanish from the University of Iowa. Her current research interests include issues of diaspora, tradition and change (particularly with regard to ritual celebrations), Latino/Hispanic studies, religion, and “culture” in the Midwest. Nina is currently enjoying life in Iowa City and dividing her time between regular jaunts through the Midwestern country-side (both for research and pleasure) and studying.
