Appointed in Comparative Studies and affiliated with the Latina/o Studies Program, Ashley Hope Pérez, is quickly becoming known nationally as an outstanding author of Young Adult fiction that centers on the Latina/o experience. Latina/o Studies faculty and students read her book What Can't Wait with the Columbus group, Girls Heart Reading Club, back in 2013. Her newest novel, Out of Darkness, focuses on racism, segregation, and crisis in a Texas community impacted by a school explosion. Ashley Hope Pérez was interviewed by NBC Latina/o about her new novel in September 2015 – just follow the link to read! Congratulations to Hope Pérez!