Maribel Alvarez (she/her) is Associate Research Social Scientist and Associate Research Professor at the Southwest Center at the University of Arizona. She is an anthropologist, folklorist, curator, and cultural organizer. She holds the Jim Griffith Chair in Public Folklore at the Southwest Center, University of Arizona. From 2018-2021, she served as the inaugural Associate Dean for Community Engagement in the College of Social and Behavioral Sciences. Her leadership helped produce the first study ever at the University of Arizona on community perceptions of university interventions. In 2022, she was asked by the University Provost to lead a comprehensive strategic retooling of the university’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion.
Statement of Withdrawal of Candidacy:
With sincere regret and after careful consideration, I must withdraw my candidacy for President of the American Folklore Society.
Looking at the year ahead, I anticipate irreconcilable conflicts between my professional obligations at the University of Arizona and the demands of AFS service. Adding to this, several potential new challenges impacting my family and community in the months ahead complicates matters in ways that were not apparent to me until recently. I apologize for any inconvenience this may present to the election process.
In my reflections to arrive at this decision, it dawned on me that at this historical crucible in the life of our nation, and hence in the lives of all AFS members, service and care must not be confined only to the “titles” we hold. There are many ways that we are called to uplift the work of one another and to advocate, now more than ever, for the value of our knowledge and skills as folklorists. I will continue to serve on the Executive Board of AFS and look forward to contributing to several critical initiatives under its portfolio, including a survey and report on the state of folklore academic programs around the nation. I wholeheartedly endorse the leadership of Jason Jackson as the sole candidate –Jason has the depth of experience and integrity of character that AFS needs to fruitfully engage, along with the current President and leadership, in a strategic visioning for AFS’s future and wellbeing. Thank you for considering me for such an honorable position of service.
