Staff
Andrea Quijada
Andrea Isabel Quijada is the Executive Director of Media Literacy Project. With more than a decade of experience as a media literacy trainer, and 20 years as a community organizer, Andrea has a deep passion for media justice. She presents nationally and internationally on the impact of media on culture, politics, and technology, serves on the Leadership Team of the national Media Action Grassroots Network, and is a 2010 alum of Women’s Media Center Progressive Women’s Voices. She is an advisory board member of Generation Justice, serves as an advisor to Enlace Comunitario, and is a volunteer with IMPACT Personal Safety New Mexico. She has co-founded various organizations in Albuquerque, including Young Women United, a reproductive justice organization by and for young women of color. She is particularly interested in media as a tool for self-determination and movement building. Andrea has strong cultural and community ties to the Southwest. Originally from Phoenix, Arizona, she has happily made New Mexico her home for the past 17 years. Andrea earned her M.A. in Art History from the University of New Mexico with a focus on Chicana feminist art and art of social movements.
Jessica Collins
Jessica Collins, originally from Kansas City, has lived in New Mexico for 13 years. Jessica joined Media Literacy Project in 2003 and has trained thousands of youth, educators, and community leaders across the nation on media literacy topics including gender, race, sexuality, body image, reality television, and digital storytelling. She runs Media Literacy Project's Girl Tech program for young women of color who learn about media justice, reproductive justice, video production, and storytelling for community change. She has developed several multimedia educational resources including Challenging the Debt Industry, a documentary and media literacy curriculum on predatory lending. Jessica serves on the board of Young Women United, a reproductive justice organization by and for women of color. She has a passion for film, storytelling, and working with youth. She enjoys deconstructing TV shows, music videos, and target marketing tactics. Jessica has over ten years of filmmaking and media literacy experience and is a graduate from the University of New Mexico where she earned a B.A. in Media Arts.
Rusita Avila
Rusita Avila is an Albuquerque native. With over 20 years of experience as a community organizer, Rusita has organized for the American GI Forum, La Raza Unida, Kalpulli Izkalli, and Bernalillo County Place Matters Team. As the Media Justice Organizer, Rusita ensures that the message and effort of Media Literacy Project’s campaigns are connected to partners, members, and constituents. Since 2000, Rusita has served as co-director of the South Valley Dia de Los Muertos Marigold Parade and Celebration, and currently sits on the board of South Valley Prep Charter School. Rusita has a Bachelor of Science in Applied Mathematics/Biology from Brown University and a Masters in Social Work from New Mexico Highlands University.
Program Assistants
Carly Miller
Carly Miller joins the Media Literacy Project team as the Operations and Development Assistant. A second year student at the University of New Mexico, Carly is working towards a Bachelors in English with a concentration in Professional Writing and a minor in Philosophy. Carly hopes to use her degree to write articles and blog professionally, as well as teach high school English. An avid reader and blogger, Carly loves spending time with her family and friends, especially her two daughters. As Operations and Development Assistant, Carly supports Media Literacy Project’s development efforts, keeps records, and manage weekly orders.
Joseph Boyd
Joseph Boyd is an Albuquerque native, and joins the Media Literacy Project team as the Media Production Assistant. Currently a University of New Mexico student working towards a Bachelor ofFine Arts with a concentration in production; Joseph also earned an Associate’s Degree in Computer Information Science from Central New Mexico Community College. As the Media Production assistant, Joseph captures media examples, manages the media archive, and maintains all of Media Literacy Projects equipment. Upon graduation, Joseph plans to use his skills and creativity to produce documentaries and music videos that put forth positive social messages and increase political awareness. When Joseph is not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, and working on music production.
