Directory

Luis F. Paredes’ (he/él) Ph.D. life journey reflects the intersection of multiple cultures and disciplines. He was born in Queens, NY, and sent to his family’s homeland of Peru when he was just one month old. There, he grew up in Lima, immersed in the rich cultural heritage of his maternal grandmother and extended family. His childhood was filled with “jaranas,” festive celebrations that honor Peru’s Black and Indigenous roots. At nearly twelve, he reunited with his mother in New York, where he balanced adapting to a new environment while preserving his Peruvian identity.

 

Luis’ life, which is bilingual and transnational, and his interdisciplinary studies at the University at Albany, SUNY, have shaped him into a globally-minded educator and scholar. His work critically engages with cultural labels, social privileges, and racial inequalities. Over ten years at UAlbany, he earned a BA in History and Spanish, two MA degrees in Latin American Literature and Africana Studies, and a PhD in Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies. His doctoral research focused on the role of dance and music in shaping the identities of historically disregarded groups, with a particular emphasis on the often-overlooked Afro-Peruvian culture. This research provides important insights into the expression of black culture through an examination of the influential dance company Perú Negro. Luis delves into the complexities of identity formation, cultural commodification, and the impacts of racism and neoliberalism on daily life. He explored how marginalized bodies convey identity, embodied memory, and cultural history through a nuanced analysis.

 

Luis has held important positions at several institutions, including the University at Albany, Stetson University, and Bridgewater State University. During his six years at the University at Albany, Luis served as an academic advisor while working on his doctoral degree. He provided counseling to hundreds of students, with a focus on BIPOC and first-generation college students. At Stetson University, he was the Director of Diversity and Inclusion, designing programs to meet the needs of diverse faculty, staff, and student populations. At Bridgewater State University, he worked as the Director of the Office of Institutional Diversity. His extensive experience at these institutions has influenced his approach to inclusion work, combining academic rigor with practical application.

 

He is the Associate Vice President for Institutional Equity and Belonging at Wheaton College (MA). Luis is actively leading initiatives to promote equity and belonging across the campus by collaborating with various departments. He aims to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for all community members. Luis’ leadership at Wheaton College (MA) is characterized by a commitment to advancing dialogue on diversity, equity, and inclusion and implementing strategies that address the larger society’s evolving demographics and cultural paradigms.

 

Luis also serves on the Leadership Team and as a Facilitator/Consultant at the Racial Equity and Justice Institute (REJI), where he co-edited the acclaimed Racial Equity and Justice Institute Practitioner Handbook in 2021. He served as the editor for the upcoming second Handbook, scheduled for release in November 2024.

 

His extensive teaching experience spans various disciplines, including diversity, race, ethnicity, immigration, anthropology of dance, and Latin American, Caribbean, and U.S. Latino Studies. He is passionate about creating an inclusive and dynamic classroom environment where students are encouraged to engage critically with complex social issues. His teaching philosophy fosters a deep understanding of cultural differences and human similarities, empowering students to apply their learning to real-world contexts.

 

In addition to his administrative role at Wheaton College (MA), Luis is a Visiting Associate Professor in the Department of Anthropology, Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program, and School of Social Work/MSW program, where he has created and designed undergraduate and graduate seminars. He is also the Principal Consultant at Paredes Consulting Group, LLC, providing strategic DEIB guidance and support to organizations. His involvement extends beyond academia; he was a member of the Edward M. Kennedy Institute for the United States Senate Design Team, a board member of the Massachusetts Foreign Language Association (MaFLA), and a fellow at The National Inclusive Excellence Leadership Academy, among other roles.

 

Luis’ scholarly contributions include forthcoming works such as “Casting Spells with Melody: “The Ascension of Yma Sumac to the Throne of Exotica in the 1950s” in Racialized Bodies & Constructed Identities: Representations of Latinx Peoples in Visual and Textual Culture (Amherst College Press), and “Performing Peruvian Blackness: Perú Negro’s Dancing Principles” in The Oxford Handbook of Black Dance Studies (Oxford University Press).

 

Luis’s ongoing work continues to bridge the gap between cultural scholarship and practical applications in higher education and beyond, positioning him as a leader in advancing diversity and inclusion across academic institutions. He resides in Providence, Rhode Island, with his dogs, Pisko and Panka.