Rodolfo “Rudy” Acuña, a foundational figure in Chicano studies in the United States, died at 93, leaving a legacy of activism, scholarship, and education aimed at empowering Mexican American communities.

His career included a civil rights lawsuit against UC Santa Barbara for age and race discrimination, yielding a $326,000 settlement that helped fund his foundation to support employment discrimination victims in higher education.

Acuña authored more than 22 books on Chicano and Mexican history, including Occupied America: A History of Chicanos, a foundational text that has run through multiple editions and became central to Chicano studies.

He was known for a militant stance against racism and for treating history as a tool for liberation, often challenging academic leadership and policy to improve minority education.

Even in death, Acuña remained active in public discourse, contributing to newspapers and journals and mentoring students while documenting Mexican American history.

Acuña helped establish Cal State Northridge’s Chicano and Chicana Studies Department and taught there for more than four decades, shaping generations of students and faculty.

He is survived by his wife Guadalupe Compean and daughter Angela, with tributes highlighting his impact on education and social justice.

Acuña’s work bridged academia and activism, blending scholarly writing, public speaking, and community engagement to advance Chicano studies and Latino empowerment across the U.S.