About
Dr. Xavier Perez is an Assistant Professor and co-founder of the Criminology Department at DePaul University's College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. His work bridges research, teaching, and social justice, informed by his Chicago upbringing and experiences with systemic disinvestment. He holds a PhD in Criminology.
- Education: PhD in Criminology
His research focuses on Latinx communities' unique dynamics within U.S. criminal justice systems, global legal traditions influencing crime policies, and Puerto Rican police-community relations. He explores violence prevention in working-class communities of color. Teaching integrates interdisciplinary perspectives from Criminal Justice, Latinx Studies, Psychology, and Sociology, emphasizing student-centered learning and critical thinking.
Dr. Perez advocates for criminal justice reform by teaching inside correctional institutions and co-chairing Chicago's 26th Ward Public Safety Committee, collaborating with trauma-informed violence prevention organizations. He aligns with Che Guevara’s philosophy: 'The true revolutionary is guided by great feelings of love.'
Extra-curricular interests include Chicago sports.
