Jessica Ayala- Demeo Brown

Mrs. Jessica Ayala- Demeo Brown


Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

2Years (2025-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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EMEva M. Moya
Eva M. Moya
GSGregory S. Schober
Gregory S. Schober
Amy Elizabeth WaglerAmy Elizabeth Wagler
Amy Elizabeth Wagler
JBJessica Ayala- Demeo Brown
Jessica Ayala- Demeo Brown
SBSilvia Maria Chavez Baray
Silvia Maria Chavez Baray
RKRobbie L Kennebrew
Robbie L Kennebrew
Several studies find that low food security has negative effects on academic performance in higher education in the U.S., but the samples for these studies often have low percentages of Hispanic students. Consequently, it remains unclear if food security affects academic performance in predominantly Hispanic settings. Our study aims to analyze whether food security affects academic performance at a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI). Using original survey data collected on 2020 students enrolled at a large research-intensive HSI and cumulative logit models, we assess whether food security influences concentration and graduation delays among students at an HSI in the U.S.–Mexico border region. Our findings strongly suggest that low food security reduces concentration and increases delays for graduation at the HSI. The results have important implications for HSI leaders who want to improve student success, and we offer recommendations for future programs and investments to build student food security at HSIs. Because food security is a strong social determinant of health, the study is closely related to the topic of addressing social determinants of health to improve Hispanic health outcomes. When universities take action to build food security among HSI students, they simultaneously make an investment to improve Hispanic health outcomes.