Professor Mindiola’s research, publications and teaching areas are in race relations, with particular emphasis upon Mexican Americans. His current research deals with the relationship between Mexican and African Americans, the educational experiences of Mexican Americans in the public school system and the portrayal of Mexican Americans in films. He is the author along with Yolanda Flores-Niemann and Nestor Rodriguez of “Black-Brown Relations and Stereotypes”, which was published by the University of Texas Press in the Fall of 2002.   Professor Mindiola is also a political analyst and has written a number of editorials for VIVA Magazine and the Houston Chronicle.

As the director of The Center for Mexican American Studies, Professor Mindiola is credited for developing it into one of the premiere academic programs of its type in the country. Under his direction the center has developed a minor in Mexican American Studies, a Visiting Scholar’s program, Research Fellowships, Graduate Fellowships and a recruitment and retention component.

The center also publishes monographs and sponsors research, conferences, lectures and student leadership retreats. Professor Mindiola states that he is especially proud of the role that the Center for Mexican American Studies has played in increasing the number of Mexican Americans students and faculty on campus. His vision of the center includes a major in Mexican and Mexican American Studies, a policy component and its own physical facility. He considers the development of Mexican American Studies his life’s work. Tatcho Mindiola, Jr., is a native Houstonian, married and the father of four children.

AWARD/RECOGNITIONS

Mayor’s Hispanic Heritage Award, September 2006

Being inducted into the National Honor Society of Phi Kappa Phi, April 2006

Distinguished Alumni Award, University of Houston, May 2005

Ally Award for research dealing with Black Brown Relations, presented by the Center for the Healing of Racism, June 2005