Dr. Morgan Montañez is an Assistant Professor of Sociology and Director of the Center for Social and Cultural Research (CSCR). Dr. Montañez’s research focuses on rural poverty—specifically on issues related to access to aid programs and healthcare. Dr. Montañez received her PhD from Washington State University where she also worked as a Project Manager at the Social and Economic Sciences Research Center. She is an active member of the Rural Sociological Society where she holds positions on several committees, and has conducted research in New Mexico, Oregon, Washington, Idaho, and Virginia. Her current research includes a collaboration with Dr. Joanna Hunter and Virginia 211 looking at zip code level data from intake calls to determine what services were not able to be referred, but were needed, to map underserved areas in Virginia. Dr. Montañez, originally from rural Colorado, is deeply committed to raising awareness about issues facing rural America.
Dr. Montañez is also excited about the prospect of new partnerships in Virginia and welcomes community groups and other faculty to reach out to see how we at the CSCR can collaborate with you! See Dr. Montañez's research resume here.
Beth Lyman, Associate Professor of Sociology
Olivia Houck is the lead research assistant for the 2024-2025 academic year. They have worked at the CSCR for five consecutive semesters on a variety of different projects. Current work consists of co-authorship on an academic research paper focused on Food Insecurity on College Campuses with two Sociology professors. Olivia has also extended this research into an individual research project, analyzing how the built environment affects collegiate food insecurity. Olivia has also assisted with data collection and analysis, transcription, conducting initial background research, tutoring students on research methods and techniques, and citation and referencing. Olivia has gained experience using programs such as SPSS and Dedoose. Olivia is an active member of the Sociology department in addition to their work at the CSCR and is also the department’s senior ambassador. Olivia anticipates graduation in spring 2025 with a BS in Sociology and Criminal Justice.