Juan Gomez-Quiñones

6297 Bunche
(310) 825-4362
quinones@history.ucla.edu

Education

Ph. D., History, University of California at Los Angeles.
M. A., Latin-American Studies, University of California at Los Angeles.
B. A., Literature, University of California at Los Angeles.

Research Interests

United States: Political, Labor; Social Change; Nationalism; Ethnicity

Biography and Interests

Professor Juan Gómez-Quiñones is a professor of history at UCLA, specializing in the fields of political, labor, intellectual, and cultural history. From 1969 to the present he has taught university classes each year and has delivered papers before professional historical societies and other professional venues in the United States and Mexico. During this time, he has completed several research projects, relating to political/labor history and public policy. Among his over 30 published writings are The Roots of Chicano Politics: 1600-1940, Chicano Politics 1940-1990, Mexican Students for La Raza, and the articles "Toward a Perspective on Chicano History" and "Chicano Labor Conflict and Organizing, 1900-1920." He is completing a study on historical arts and culture, "Times and Seasons," and a collection of essays on ethics and literary and ideological actors, "North and South."

Since 1969, Gómez-Quiñones has been active in higher education, culture activities promotion and Chicano Studies efforts. He was awarded a National Endowment for the Humanities fellowship and pursued his research at the University of Texas during 1972-1973 working with Professor Américo Paredes. He trained in social analysis at the Newberry Library Community History Program, Chicago, 1975. At one time, he served as Director of the Chicano Studies Research Center at UCLA. Gómez-Quiñones was a founding co-editor of Aztlan, International Journal of Chicano Studies Research. He has also served on UC system and campus committees and is a consistent supporter and contributor to the development of Chicano Studies, including co-founder of two programs and co-editor of the Plan de Santa Barbara. He is also a co-founder of Academia Semillas del Pueblo XINAXCALMECAC (LAUSD Charter School). He has served on advisory committees, for the College Board/ETS, and FIPSE, and served as panelist or reviewer for the NEH & NEA, and national foundations. He is a published poet, Fifth and Grande Vista, whose work has been written on by critics.

Gómez-Quiñones has for many years been active in civic affairs. Apart from his academic interest, he is recognized as an able community organizer and planner. Some of his activities have been civil rights, electoral politics, community education, labor rights, immigrant equities advocacy, legal defense, youth leadership, and cultural programs. He participated in UMAS-MECHA, the Congress of Mexican-American Unity, EICC, the Urban Coalition, and various community political efforts and publications efforts principally in Los Angeles. From the 80's to 90's he participated as co-organizer of pro-immigrant rights efforts and marches, including the 1996 Washington D.C. National Immigrant Rights march for which he wrote the agenda. Gomez-Quinones has also served as Member Board of Trustees, California State University and Colleges, Commissioner, and WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities. In addition, he has been a member of the board of directors for the Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund, The Latino Museum, The Mexican Cultural Institute, OSIEC, and the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Commission. He has also participated in several arts, film, and media projects as well as radio and television programs.

Born in Parral, Chihuahua, Gómez-Quiñones was raised in Boyle Heights, East Los Angeles, where he attended Cantwell M. H. school. Ever since then, he has resided in Los Angeles, Mexico City, San Diego, Austin, Chicago and Albuquerque.

Awards

Scholar of the Year Award: National Association of Chicano Studies at Albuquerque, New Mexico, 1990.
National Endowment for the Humanities Fellowship, 1972-1973.

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