Julio Adrián Cedillo

My name is Julio Adrián Cedillo, and I am a prospective graduate student examining the intersections of structural power, political sociology, citizenship, and racial and ethnic dynamics. Raised in a migrant family from the Tierra Caliente region of Guerrero, Mexico, I grew up in San Diego, California, also known as “America’s Leading Military City,” a region defined by its prominent military infrastructure. My early proximity to naval installations informed my sustained academic inquiry into military institutions and their socio-political impact.

My familial background is deeply rooted in a legacy of military service, specifically among second-generation enlisted personnel. This institutional affiliation has served as a critical socio-economic foundation for my relatives, facilitating access to vocational advancement, material benefits, and essential opportunities for higher education.

My lived experiences motivated my undergraduate thesis at UC Berkeley, which examined the formation of political identities within the military, specifically analyzing the racial boundaries navigated by Latino service members. While the military is often characterized as a non-partisan institution committed to equal opportunity, my research revealed a paradoxical reality that challenged these institutional claims.

I am also interested in the intellectual traditions that have shaped sociology, particularly Du Boisian sociology, postcolonial sociology, and political and economic sociology. My academic genealogy traces some of the scholars and intellectual relationships that have influenced my development as a sociologist.

I hope to pursue a PhD to continue researching this dynamic, with a particular focus on martial citizenship and legitimacy. Beyond my research, I care deeply about mentorship and expanding access to higher education. Much of my work at UC Berkeley has involved supporting transfer students, mentoring emerging researchers, and helping students navigate the transition into academic spaces.