Cristina Alfaro, Ph.D. is the Associate Vice-President of International Affairs at San Diego State University, a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI). As Immediate Past Provost Chair of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) she developed and implemented a university wide faculty DEI curriculum and instruction program. She is also co-chair of the HSI Advisory Board where her work is focused on equity and inclusion of Latinx students. Dr. Alfaro is a Biliteracy Professor and Past Chair of the Dual Language Education Department where she championed and led the largest bilingual teacher education program in the state of California.

She is the recipient of the San Diego County Office of Education Biliteracy Leadership Award, College of Education Excellence in Teaching Award, and the National Outstanding Latina in Higher Education Award. She recently launched the first University Global Seal of Biliteracy where students demonstrate their cultural and linguistic competence. As a researcher she has examined and published on the role of educator ideological consciousness and pedagogical practices that situate access and equity at the core of higher education.