Gerardo Licon

Gerardo Licon is an Assistant Professor in the Latin American and Latinx Studies Program at the University of Wisconsin-Eau Claire. His teaching focuses on US Latino History, Latin American Studies, and the cultural significance of music and dance in Latin America. He holds a Ph.D. and M.A. in History from the University of Southern California, and a B.A. in History with a Chicano/Mexican concentration from UC Santa Cruz.

His research explores Pachuco culture, Chicano history, and transborder cultural exchanges. Key work includes analyzing the intersection of zoot suit subculture, racial politics, and youth resistance in WWII-era Los Angeles. Notably, his 2017 KCET Artbound article challenges reductive perceptions of pachucos as solely juvenile delinquents, highlighting their linguistic innovations and cross-ethnic influences.

Awarded 'One of Wisconsin's Most Influential Latinos' (2019), Licon has presented at major conferences including the American Historical Association and Organization of American Historians. He serves as faculty advisor for campus Latino student groups and leads community engagement initiatives through El Centro de Conexion.