Ray Rast

Ray Rast, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor and Department Chair of History at Gonzaga University (since 2012). He previously held positions as a visiting professor at the College of Wooster and Assistant Professor at California State University, Fullerton. His academic credentials include a B.A. from Yale University (1995), M.A. from the University of New Mexico (1998), and Ph.D. from the University of Washington (2006).

Research Focus: Dr. Rast specializes in post-Civil War U.S. history, with emphasis on cultural/urban history, the American West, Latina/o studies (particularly Mexican American), tourism, mobility, and historic preservation. His public history work bridges academia and community engagement through museum exhibitions, National Park Service collaborations, and landmark preservation.

Publications: His recent works reflect interdisciplinary scholarship spanning cultural history, public memory, and Latino heritage. Dominant themes include tourism’s role in shaping regional identities, civil rights commemoration, and the preservation of marginalized communities’ histories. Digital humanities projects and National Historic Landmark nominations highlight his applied research approach.

Awards:

• Award-winning exhibition: A Class Action (on the Mendez v. Westminster school desegregation case)

Professional Service: Dr. Rast has led major initiatives for the National Park Service, including the Cesar Chavez Special Resource Study (resulting in the 2012 National Monument designation) and the American Latino Heritage Initiative advisory board. His courses cover U.S. history, Pacific Northwest history, Latina/o studies, and public history methodologies.