BOONE, N.C. — Joseph Gonzalez, called “Joe” by his students, can often be found inside the local coffee shop, Espresso News, catching up on the latest news. Gonzalez studies the historical and contemporary relationship between the United States and Cuba. He has visited Cuba at least once a year since his first visit in 1996, when he was a graduate student exploring dissertation topics.
Dr. Gonzalez, an associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies, has been teaching at App State since 2003. He served as interim director of the Global Studies program from 2017 to 2018 and teaches courses for Watauga Residential College and the Honors College. Gonzalez has been recognized with several teaching honors, including the 2018 University of North Carolina Board of Governors Award for Excellence in Teaching and induction into the College of Arts and Sciences Academy of Outstanding Teachers.
Gonzalez earned his bachelor's degree in political science from Albion College and his master's and doctoral degrees in history from the University of Michigan. During this time, he studied U.S.-Cuba relations and presented on the topic at multiple conferences.
Since then, Gonzalez's interest in Cuba has only grown. He is currently working on a manuscript titled Facing the Sun: Cuba’s Challenge to the American Empire, 1895-1912.
“Cuba is one of my great loves,” said Gonzalez. “I think it is largely because it is both different from the U.S. and very similar to the U.S. In some ways, Cubans are very similar to Americans culturally in terms of their values and their love of sports.”
“But I think what I love the most about Cuba, aside from its history and its culture, is the fact that the Cubans don’t hold grudges against Americans,” continued Gonzalez. “They have a lot of reasons to feel very resentful toward Americans. The U.S. has mistreated Cuba for well beyond 100 years. The Cubans could be very resentful about that, but they’re not. Instead, Cubans want to have closer relations with the U.S. They want to make American friends.”
Over the past six months, the Australian Broadcasting Corporation (ABC) has invited Gonzalez to discuss the current status of U.S.-Cuba relations twice on its morning news program. He has also shared his expertise on several podcasts and on NPR.
During appearances in May and July, Gonzalez discussed tensions in U.S.-Cuba relations, U.S. policy toward Cuba, and the humanitarian challenges facing many Cubans. He explained that the Trump administration is seeking policy changes that would allow greater U.S. investment in Cuba.
“The Trump administration is very hungry right now to have a win in foreign policy,” said Gonzalez. “They are very bogged down in Iran right now; they would like to have a win they can point to and say ‘See, the U.S. is back.’”
Gonzalez argued that U.S. policy toward Cuba is driven by strategic and political considerations rather than security concerns.
“It doesn’t have a nuclear program, it doesn’t support international terrorism, it doesn’t support America’s enemies. Why? Because Cuba just has no money,” he explained.
In July, Gonzalez penned an article for The Conversation describing shortages of essential resources and daily challenges facing many Cubans amid what Gonzalez described as a growing humanitarian disaster.
“The island is coping with severe shortages of fuel and electricity, among other essentials, due in large part to an oil blockade that President Donald Trump imposed in February,” wrote Gonzalez.
For The Conversation piece, he interviewed at least 35 Cubans, colleagues, and passersby on the street, asking them to explain their current struggles. According to Gonzalez, no one refused to speak with him. All but one interviewee stated that their political leaders do not share the average Cuban’s struggles. Instead, they live lavish lifestyles while the average Cuban in Havana can’t enjoy three consecutive hours of electricity over several days.
“They are placing their hopes in the U.S. generally and the Trump administration specifically,” wrote Gonzalez, “Such views were unheard of 30 years ago. Now, they are commonplace on the streets of Havana.”
###
About the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
The Department of Interdisciplinary Studies offers graduate and undergraduate degrees in four program areas: Appalachian studies; gender, women’s, and sexuality studies; global studies; and interdisciplinary studies. The department is also home to Watauga Residential College, an interdisciplinary, alternative general education program. The department promotes creative and imaginative engagement through a cross-disciplinary investigation of complex systems and problems. Learn more about the Department of Interdisciplinary Studies
About the Honors College
More than 500 students are enrolled in Appalachian State University's Honors College, which serves a diverse group of high-achieving, high-potential, highly motivated students from all majors. The Honors College helps students develop independent and creative thinking and high-level research skills; promotes interdisciplinary inquiry; and nurtures cultured and caring exchanges of ideas. The college’s enhanced academic experience prepares students for success in graduate or professional school and for leadership roles in their lives, communities, and careers. Learn more about the Honors College
About the Watauga Residential College
The Watauga Residential College is a specialized academic program where classes are discussion-based seminars that allow students to pursue topics of interest to them within the context of the class. This program provides an unusual opportunity for students to become engaged in learning at a deep level through class discussions and research projects. Watauga classes are interdisciplinary, and this approach to learning requires students to integrate knowledge from a variety of disciplines to gain a complete perspective on a topic. Learn more about Watauga Residential College
By Kaylie Morales
October 27, 2026
BOONE, N.C.
Studio headshot of a smiling man wearing a light blue button-down shirt against a black background.
Joseph Gonzalez is an associate professor in the Appalachian State University Department of Interdisciplinary Studies. Photo by University Communications