Award-winning author Sandra Cisneros will present a free lecture on diversity tonight at 7 p.m. in Campbell Hall.

Renowned for novels, poems and essays that explore her experiences in a multicultural society, Cisneros will discuss cultural inequality and hybridism in a time of “Mexiphobia.” Some of her major works include the novels “The House on Mango Street” and “Caramelo.” The former novel is required reading material in middle schools, high schools and universities across the nation.

Sandra Cisneros

“To have such an amazing writer who represents a minority community present her work at UCSB is an incredible statement,” Khan-Marcus said. “It validates and honors the experience of marginalized communities, while strongly bringing into the consciousness of the American mainstream the realities faced by people of color in the U.S.”

Aleena Bissett, a third-year English major, said Cisneros has a very distinct writing style.

“It’s easy to distinguish her style from others,” Bissett said. “She has a very individualized style that speaks from personal experience and relates to people of all ages — it’s all her own.”

Additionally, MCC Associate Director Viviana Marsano said this evening’s lecture complements a quarterly diversity series established at the universtiy in 2005.

“[The series] is designed to promote discussions, sensitivity, and awareness regarding diversity issues on campus,” Marsano said. “Nationally and internationally renowned experts in the field of diversity are featured each quarter and present from their most recent work.”

Cisneros is also known for her poetry collections “Loose Woman” and “My Wicked Wicked Ways,” as well as series of short stories titled, “Woman Hollering Creek and Other Stories.”

Cisneros spent a majority of her childhood moving between Mexico and the United States and received honorary doctorate degrees from Loyola University in Chicago and Purchase State University of New York. The distinguished author has also won a MacArthur Foundation Fellowship and two National Endowment for the Arts fellowships. She is currently a writer-in-residence at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio, Texas.