Dr. Matute-Chavarria is an Associate Professor of Special Education at New Mexico State University in the School of Teacher Preparation, Administration, and Leadership. She received her Ph.D. at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Prior to obtaining her Ph.D. in Special Education, she worked for Nevada Early Intervention Services, supporting children with dis/abilities from birth to three and their families.
Dr. Matute-Chavarria identifies as a Black/Afro-Latina Caribbean mother scholar. Her research examines the intersections of race, family, and dis/ability with a focus on Black and Latinx children and their families. Her scholarship advances asset-based approaches in early intervention (i.e., birth to three) and special education by incorporating community cultural wealth, funds of knowledge, equity, and access for racially, culturally, and linguistically diverse children and families.
Her work has been recognized nationally. In 2022, she received the Must Read Award from the Intervention in School and Clinic for her article, Giving Voice to Aspirations: Engaging African American Parents with Children with Disabilities. In 2025, she was honored with the Excellence in Team Research Award from the New Mexico State University Office of the Vice President for Research and the Mentorship Award from the Division for Early Childhood of the Council for Exceptional Children.
Dr. Matute-Chavarria has secured more than $2.5 million in federal grant funding and over $13,000 in internal grant funding to support research and personnel preparation to improve the outcomes for young children with dis/abilities and their families.
