Dalia Antionia Caraballo Muller
Dalia Antonia Caraballo Muller is Associate Professor of Latin American and Caribbean History at the University at Buffalo. She formerly served as Associate Director of UB’s Caribbean and Latin American Studies Program (2009-2016), Director of UB’s University Honors College (2017-2020) and Associate Dean of Undergraduate Education (2017-2020).
Dr. Dalia Antonia Caraballo Muller is a bilingual, multi-cultural, multi-racial researcher and educator. Her twin passions are the study of the African Diaspora in Latin America and the Caribbean, and the study of transformative learning models in higher education. The through line that connects her historical work and her work in education is the concept of “impossibility.” She researches Black intellectuals in early 20th century Cuba who thought at the limits of the possible as they staked claims to rights, dignity and equality. In the classroom, Dr. Caraballo Muller invites her students to stretch their minds and think at the limits of the possible in order to dream up new futures for our ailing world and planet. While she is committed to opening minds and opportunities for all her students equally, supporting black and brown student success is core to her personal and professional mission.
Related Project:
The Impossible Project is a learning experience that prepares students to take on grand challenges by teaching them to BEND: Build collective resilience, Enhance creative critical thinking, Nurture true collaboration and Discover purpose through dedication to social and planetary good. Dr. Muller will share the origins, learning philosophy, core principles, concepts and learning objectives of IP. She will also talk about the power of the IP to support diversity, equity and inclusion work. Students who have participated in IP courses will share their experiences.
“In teaching students to fail forwards, the Impossible Project simultaneously helps build confidence and instills a humility that says, ‘I know I could always do better.’” — Connor Carrow, senior, Major: Social Sciences Interdisciplinary, Cognitive Sciences focus with Neuroscience concentration
“I do think the IP, maybe indirectly and subconsciously, has made me more ambitious in my wants and more certain in my desires to do big things.” — Mady, junior, Major: Environmental Studies
“Ironically, the Impossible project encouraged me to discover an infinity of possibilities. Taking on an issue that was impossible to solve challenged my sense of achievement, as I was destined to fail; I was not going to solve this global issue.” — Alexis Harrell, sophomore, Major: Psychology
Visit the Department of History website for Muller’s complete profile, including the latest research and publications.