Born in León, Guanajuato, Mexico, Cecilia Solís-Barroso migrated to Chicago at the age of six, where she spent most of her life. Growing up as an immigrant in the U.S. came with challenges, particularly the experience of navigating two cultures and languages. The Spanish saying "ni de aquí, ni de allá" (not from here or there) resonated deeply with her during her early years. Placed in subtractive bilingual programs, she struggled with the perception of her home language and feelings of not belonging. However, living in a predominantly Latino community also heightened her awareness of language discrimination, sparking an early interest in bilingualism and linguistic identity. Over time, she embraced her culture and native language—not only as a vital connection to her family but also as a source of joy, especially through the music of her favorite artist, Juan Gabriel. Now, she identifies more with the phrase "de aquí, y de allá" (from here and from there).
Cecilia earned a bachelor's degree in Spanish Education and a master's degree in Spanish Linguistics from the University of Illinois-Chicago (UIC). As a first-generation college student, these achievements hold special significance for her and her family. Initially pursuing a career in Spanish education, she was introduced to linguistics through a required course and was immediately captivated by the field. Within the first week of her Introduction to Spanish Linguistics course, she reached out to Dr. Luis López, which led to her role as an undergraduate research assistant in UIC’s Bilingualism Research Lab. Under the mentorship of Dr. López and Dr. Sara Stefanich, she started conducting her own research, further deepening her passion for linguistics and leading her to pursue graduate studies.
Cecilia first learned about the University of Michigan’s Linguistics Department through the MICHHERS program in 2019, where she was drawn to the department’s collaborative and interdisciplinary environment. She appreciated the diversity of research topics and languages studied, making U-M the ideal place to further her academic career. She is currently co-advised by Dr. Acrisio Pires and Dr. Teresa Satterfield, whom she describes as her "super team." Their mentorship has played a pivotal role in her academic growth, instilling confidence and encouraging her to push boundaries. As a first-generation college student, she considers herself fortunate to have such strong role models and support.
Her research explores the impact of bilingualism on language, with a particular focus on morphosyntactic variation. Her dissertation examines the nominal morphosyntax of Huasteca Nahuatl, an indigenous language spoken in Mexico, analyzing variation across generations and levels of bilingualism. Through this work, she is documenting how bilingualism shapes language structure and use. In connection with her dissertation research, she conducts fieldwork in Nahuatl-speaking communities and actively collaborates on language revitalization efforts. She also works on projects advocating for the inclusion of indigenous languages like Nahuatl in linguistics curricula.
Throughout her academic career, Cecilia has been recognized with several prestigious grants and fellowships, including the Bouchet Honor Society Membership, the Rackham PACE Fellowship, the Research for Indigenous Social Action and Equity (RISE) Research Grant, and the Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) Fellowship.
Beyond academia, Cecilia enjoys crafting and learning new art forms. At one point, she even ran a small business making earrings, though she now creates art purely for fun. Her work often reflects her Mexican heritage, which she takes great pride in. She also enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.
Looking ahead, Cecilia is open to various career paths, including a professorship or a role in academic administration. While she remains flexible about her professional trajectory, one thing is certain—if she can land a position somewhere warmer than Michigan, that would be a welcome bonus!
