Jonathan D. Gomez

Jonathan D. Gomez is an Assistant Professor and Undergraduate Studies Advisor in the Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies at San José State University (SJSU). He also serves as Faculty Director and Co-Facilitator of the SJSU Culture Counts Reading Series. Dr. Gomez holds a 2021-2022 Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship from UC Santa Cruz’s Department of Latin American and Latino Studies.

Education: PhD in Sociology with an Emphasis in Black Studies (UC Santa Barbara, 2018); BA in Sociology with Honors (UC Santa Cruz, 2008); Transfer Student in Sociology (East Los Angeles College, 2005).

His research centers Chicanx and Latinx spatial practices in postindustrial Los Angeles, exploring how marginalized communities reclaim urban spaces through cultural resistance. Key themes include critical pedagogy, decolonial theory, and the intersection of race, space, and cultural expression. His work bridges sociology, cultural studies, and urban theory, with notable contributions to understanding punk subcultures and Black radical traditions.

His publications reflect a trajectory from early analyses of East LA punk scenes (2012) to contemporary explorations of transformative education and spatial justice. Recent works emphasize collective pedagogical frameworks rooted in decolonial praxis.

• Awards: Ford Foundation Postdoctoral Fellowship (2021-22)

As an educator, Gomez designs courses on race, creative expression, and cultural studies. He actively engages in community-based scholarship through the Culture Counts series, fostering dialogues on race and culture. His advising and mentorship are central to his role, though specific grant details are not disclosed in the provided materials.

Current initiatives include directing the Culture Counts Readings Series, which amplifies marginalized voices in cultural discourse.