Dr. Lourdes Gouveia: Scholar, Advocate, and Voice for Latino Communities
For more than three decades, Dr. Lourdes Gouveia has been one of Nebraska’s leading voices on Latino immigration, labor, and community change. A Professor of Sociology and longtime Director of the Office of Latino/Latin American Studies (OLLAS) at the University of Nebraska at Omaha, she built a nationally recognized program that continues to shape policy and understanding of Latino life in the Great Plains.
Dr. Gouveia earned her Ph.D. in Sociology from the University of Kansas before coming to Nebraska in 1989. From the start, her research focused on the global restructuring of the meatpacking industry, the recruitment of Latino immigrant labor, and the lasting impact of these shifts on rural communities. Her work through articles, reports, and co-authored books has become foundational for understanding how Latino immigrant families transform both local economies and social landscapes.
She has led major studies, including analyses of Latino population growth in the Midwest and a Nebraska State Legislature-commissioned report on the incorporation of immigrant workers. Her role as principal investigator for a $1 million congressional earmark expanded OLLAS’s research on second-generation immigrants and their pathways to civic and economic participation.
She now holds the title Professor Emerita of Sociology and Latino/Latin American Studies and Director Emerita of OLLAS (Office of Latino/Latin American Studies).
Beyond academia, Dr. Gouveia has influenced immigration policy debates at the state and national levels. She served on the Chicago Council on Foreign Affairs task force on immigration and advised Governor Mike Johanns during Operation Vanguard. Her advocacy also extends through board service with Nebraska Appleseed, a leader in immigrant rights and policy reform.
In Omaha, Dr. Gouveia has collaborated with schools, nonprofits, and community leaders to improve Latino educational attainment. In 2003, she received the City of Omaha’s Latinos on the Move Award for Education.
Her career is a testament to the power of scholarship in service to the community, bridging research, policy, and lived experience to build a more inclusive Nebraska.
Do you know someone whose story should be told — a mentor, educator, entrepreneur, veteran, artist, or advocate who has made a lasting difference in the Latino community? Please share their name and a little about their journey with us.
📩 Email: office@lozafina.com