Andy Gomez
Former Director, Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies
Miami Connection
Gomez has been instrumental in shaping Miami's understanding of Cuban-American history and influence. Through his leadership at the University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies and his teaching at the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute, he has documented how the Cuban-American community created an economic and political powerhouse in South Florida. His work examines the challenges various waves of Cuban immigrants faced and their transformative impact on the region's development.
About
Andy Gomez is considered one of the top scholars on Cuba and Cuban-American relations in the United States. He served as the former director of the University of Miami's Institute for Cuban and Cuban-American Studies and worked in higher education for thirty-two years before retiring. Gomez also served as a former senior advisor to the President's Office on Cuban Affairs, bringing both academic and policy expertise to his work. He has taught master's and Ph.D. students throughout his career and continues to educate the community through courses examining U.S.-Cuba relations and the influence of the Cuban-American community on South Florida. His research focuses on the waves of Cuban immigration and their economic, political, and social impact on the region.