Tomás F. Summers Sandoval

Tomás F. Summers Sandoval is a Professor of History and Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies at Pomona College since 2006, where he also serves as Coordinator of American Studies and Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies. He is currently First Vice President of the Oral History Association and has dedicated his career to documenting Latinx communities in California through oral history, social movements, and military service narratives.

• Education: Bachelor of Arts from Claremont McKenna College, Master of Arts and Ph.D. from University of California, Berkeley

His research spans Latinx migration, identity formation, racial inequality, and the Vietnam War’s impact on Chicano/Latino veterans. He integrates oral histories into public-facing projects like the Vietnam Veteranos exhibit (2017) and the stage play Ring of Red (2018). His 2013 book Latinos at the Golden Gate remains a foundational text on San Francisco’s Latinx history.

Scientific Awards

• Whiting Foundation Public Engagement Fellowship (2017)
• California Humanities Community Stories Grant (2015)
• Pomona College Wig Distinguished Award for Excellence in Teaching (2009, 2014)

His work bridges academic research and community engagement, with projects focusing on underrepresented narratives in the U.S. West. He has secured grants from California Humanities and The Whiting Foundation to amplify marginalized voices through performance and historical documentation.