Charles Heath II

Charles Heath II is an Associate Professor of History at Sam Houston State University (SHSU), specializing in Mexican and Latin American history. He holds a Ph.D. in History (Tulane University, 2007), M.A. in Latin American Studies (Tulane, 2004), and B.A. in Humanities (Tulane, 2000). His research explores intersections of culture and politics, notably through studies of Mexican military bands and their transnational performances (1884–1930). He leads SHSU’s History in Mexico study abroad program, covering 2,500 km of Mexican territory and generating extensive student research projects archived at historicalmx.org.

• Education: Tulane University (Ph.D. 2007, M.A. 2004, B.A. 2000)

Research focuses on how music and cultural institutions shape political identities, particularly in Oaxaca and U.S.-Mexico cross-border contexts. His 2015 monograph The Inevitable Bandstand examines the State Band of Oaxaca’s role in unifying a fragmented region. Current projects highlight Mexican military bands as tools of cultural diplomacy.

Teaching includes courses on U.S., Mexican, and Latin American history, with graduate seminars on Maya history, commodities, and racial dynamics in the American West. Awards include the 2013/2014 Engaged Scholar Award for community outreach and NEH Fellowships in Mexico and Argentina.

• Awards: Engaged Scholar Award (2013, 2014), NEH Summer Institutes Fellow (2011, 2014)

He designed the History in Mexico study abroad program, which blends field research with academic rigor, producing over 100 student projects and 1,000 geo-tagged images. Recent work emphasizes documenting underrepresented musical and cultural histories to challenge historical narratives.