Jesús Gregorio Smith is an Associate Professor and chair of the Ethnic Studies Program as well as an Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) Andrew W. Mellon Fellow. He received his PhD in Sociology in 2017 from Texas A&M University where he studied the intersections of systemic racism, masculinity, and sexuality and how they influence mental and sexual health. He has published various research pieces, including peer-reviewed articles and chapters in such venues as Archives of Sexual Behavior, Aids & Behavior, and Issues in Race & Society. Jesús co-edited a collection of essays through Lexington Books titled Home and Community for Queer Men of Color: The Intersection of Race and Sexuality Currently, he has a book contract with NYU Press for his first sole authored manuscript. Alongside his academic work, he has published op-ed pieces and public sociological essays in such venues as RacismReview, Black Perspectives, and Latinx Talk. His research has been featured and his expertise sought after in popular media presses including VICE, The Washington Post, and Rolling Stone Magazine. Similarly, he has given invited talks/seminars/presentations and has won a national research fellowship, the Woodrow Wilson National Foundation Career Enhancement Fellowship for Junior Faculty.
Jesús regularly mentors, collaborates with and publishes with students and faculty. He has won several teachings awards including the 2019 Lawrence University Beta Psi Nu Chapter Faculty Excellence Award, the 2020 Lawrence University Faculty Diversity and Inclusion Champion Award, and the 2022 Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Excellence in Higher Education Shining Star Award for the entire Fox Cities metropolitan area. During the LU 2022 Spring Commencement, Jesús was given the Award for Excellent Teaching by an Early Career Faculty Member by the University.
