Michael P. Perez

Michael P. Perez is Professor of Sociology at California State University, Fullerton and serves as the Faculty Athletics Representative. A native diasporic Chamorro/Chamoru ancestrally rooted in Guam, he was previously Assistant Professor of Sociology at the University of Guam.

His educational background includes:

• Ph.D. in Sociology, University of California, Riverside (1997)
• M.A. in Sociology, University of California, Riverside (1994)
• B.S. in Sociology, University of California, Riverside (1991)
• A.A. in Liberal Arts, Riverside Community College (1989)

Perez's research centers on critical race studies, ethnic and indigenous relations, and Native Pacific studies, with specific focus on Chamorro identity in Guam. His work examines colonial impacts on indigenous identity formation, resistance movements, and diasporic experiences beyond U.S. racial frameworks. He also investigates sociology of sports, education through critical pedagogy lenses, and deviance/delinquency patterns in Pacific Islander communities.

His 15 most recent publications span journals like Amerasia Journal, Critical Criminology, and Social Science Quarterly, revealing consistent themes: indigenous sovereignty struggles in Guam, intersectional marginalization of Pacific Islanders, and critiques of U.S. colonial structures. Key subfields include Chamorro identity negotiation, anti-colonial resistance, youth risk behaviors in Guam, and transnational diaspora experiences.

No scientific awards or fellowships are documented in available materials.

As Faculty Athletics Representative, Perez bridges academic and athletic domains while mentoring students through sociology coursework. His teaching portfolio includes Race and Ethnic Relations, Social Inequality, Sociology of Sports, and Theory courses. Though specific grant history isn't detailed, his extensive publication record suggests sustained research activity in indigenous and critical race studies.

Perez maintains active engagement with Chamorro language preservation as both proficient English speaker and Chamorro/Chamoru learner, connecting his scholarly work to cultural revitalization efforts.