IIUPLR Executive Director (1995-2013)

It is with profound sadness that I share the passing of our dear colleague and friend, Dr. Gilberto Cárdenas, who died peacefully at his home in Austin, Texas, on July 26, 2026, at the age of 79, surrounded by his beloved wife, Dolores Carrillo García, and his family.

It is difficult to find words that fully capture the extraordinary life and legacy of Gilberto. His contributions extended far beyond the field of Latino Studies. He helped shape the intellectual, cultural, and institutional foundations upon which our field stands today, while tirelessly advocating for Latino communities, scholars, artists, and cultural organizations throughout the United States. His influence is woven into the history of our discipline and into the lives of countless individuals whose paths he helped shape.For IUPLR, Gilberto was more than a distinguished leader. He was one of its architects. His vision, unwavering commitment, and generosity of spirit were instrumental in the founding and growth of our organization. The very existence and strength of IUPLR bear the imprint of his leadership and his enduring belief in the transformative power of scholarship and collective action.As Executive Director of IUPLR from 1995 to 2013, Gilberto strengthened our field, nurtured new generations of scholars and artists, built lasting institutional partnerships, and ensured that Latino voices were heard and respected in both academia and the broader public sphere. His leadership was marked not only by intellectual excellence but also by kindness, humility, and an unwavering commitment to opening doors for others.We extend our deepest condolences to Dolores, to his children and grandchildren, to his extended family, and to the many friends, colleagues, students, and collaborators whose lives were enriched by his wisdom, generosity, and friendship.We were honored to have Gilberto with us at the Siglo XXI Conference in Reno last year, where we celebrated his extraordinary contributions alongside his beloved compañera, Dolores, and his many longtime friends and colleagues. I will always be grateful that I had the opportunity to tell him, cara a cara, delante de todos y todas, what he meant to me personally and, above all, what he meant to the field of Dominican Studies. It gives me comfort to know that he enjoyed that gathering and left this world knowing that his life’s work had inspired generations of scholars, artists, and community leaders who will carry his legacy forward. We will continue to honor Gilberto’s extraordinary legacy at the Latino Art Now! (LAN) Conference in El Paso this November. Though he will no longer be with us in person, his vision, his values, and his enduring example will continue to inspire and shape our work. Gilberto is survived by his beloved wife, Dolores Carrillo García; his sons, Xoan Cárdenas and Alessandro Cárdenas; his stepchildren, Jessica Duarte (Damian), Jason García (Jennifer), and Jon Paul García (Lauren); his cherished grandchildren, James, Isabella, Maximilian, Joseph, and Thomas Duarte; Jalen and Juliana García; and Trinity and Jaxon García; his brothers, Frank Cárdenas (Rosalina) and Robert “Bobby” Cárdenas; his siblings Jacquline, Julian, and Nicolas Cárdenas; his daughter Lianna Cárdenas Wilkerson; and many extended family members and dear friends.Gilberto leaves behind far more than an extraordinary record of accomplishment. He leaves a community that is stronger because of his vision, a field that is richer because of his scholarship, and generations of scholars, artists, and leaders who carry forward the values he so passionately embodied. His legacy will continue to inspire our work, and his memory will remain an enduring part of IUPLR.He will be deeply missed, remembered with gratitude, and honored always. Details regarding a celebration of Gilberto’s life will be shared by the family at a later time.In lieu of flowers, the family suggests honoring Gilberto’s memory by supporting organizations, museums, educational institutions, scholarship programs, or community initiatives that expand opportunities for Latino artists, students, and scholars, thereby carrying forward the mission and values to which he dedicated his life’s work. Please find the official eulogy HERE, which was lovingly prepared by Gilberto’s family and close friends.  Ramona Hernandez, Ph.D. Distinguished Professor; Director, CUNY Dominican Studies Institute: The City College of New York Affiliated Faculty, CUNY Graduate Center’s M.A. Program in International Migration & Ph.D. Program in Sociology; Executive Director, Inter University Program for Latino Research (IUPLR)