Samuel Gregory Prieto

Samuel Gregory (Greg) Prieto, Ph.D. passed away Monday, October 13, 2025, lovingly surrounded by family and friends, in his home in Bankers Hill, San Diego, at the age of 42.

Affectionately nicknamed the Mayor of Hillcrest by those closest to him, Greg had a gift for connecting genuinely and easily to everyone he met. Those out with Greg were invariably subjected to multiple delays from all those recognizing him and wanting “just a minute” or a “quick hug”. His uplifting energy, sincere eye contact, and attentive presence were a gift to all lucky enough to receive it.

Greg was a professor of Sociology at the University of San Diego since he arrived there in 2013. He dedicated his career to bridging the world of academia with the lived experiences of the multiple communities he served and felt accountable to. His extensive community work and activism on issues like immigrants’ rights, police accountability, and LGBTQ youth evidenced his belief that scholarship should not exist apart from an authentic connection with and to the people it seeks to understand. In the classroom, he created an environment where dialogue, curiosity, and diverse perspectives flourished. Greg’s teaching embodied empathy and rigor in equal measure–seeking to challenge assumptions while honoring each student’s lived experience. Through his sociology courses on race and racism, gender, sexualities, and law & society, he inspired students to think critically, act compassionately, and see the profound connections between the personal and the political.

Greg was a published author, having penned two books focused on immigration and the justice system and numerous academic articles. Achievement highlights include the 2019 Distinguished Contribution to Research Book Award given by the Latina/o Sociology Section of the American Sociological Association, as well as many teaching awards. As impressive and esteemed as his professional achievements are, without a doubt, Greg’s most important roles in his career were those of trusted mentor to his students and beloved friend to his group of colleagues-turned-friends-turned-family.

Greg’s own education journey included obtaining his B.A. in Sociology (summa cum laude) from Whittier College in 2005, followed by an M.A. and a Ph.D. in Sociology from University of California, Santa Barbara in 2009 and 2013, respectively.

Greg was committed to spending his time and energy on the things and people he was most passionate about–as evidenced by his work, his writings, and his activism. The area of Greg’s life where he found the most profound purpose and joy was right at home with his husband, Zach Thompson, and their sweet rescue pitty, Bobbie. Zach and Greg have built their lives together for the past eight years and recently honored their commitment in marriage. Together, they created a family bonded by love, acceptance, and joy. Their shared definition of a perfect day includes biking around town, neighborhood strolls with Bobbie, sailing San Diego Bay beside friends, sunsets viewed standing at their living room windows, and movie nights filled with friends’ laughter.

True to his nature as a writer and educator, Greg wrote and spoke openly about his cancer diagnosis, including in his Cancer Journal. His willingness and desire to have the complicated process of living with end-stage disease be witnessed by others exemplified his character. In the most profound way, Greg died as he had
lived–standing in authenticity, allowing dignified transparency, and surrounded by
people dedicated to caring for a man who spent his life caring so much for others.

In addition to his husband, Zach, Greg is survived by his parents, Sherry and Sam
Prieto, and siblings, Kathleen Prieto and Chris Prieto.

Greg will be honored privately in a small group celebration in the coming weeks. If you are interested in doing or giving something in honor of Greg, the family kindly requests that memorial gifts be made to the University of San Diego College of Arts and Sciences in support of the Dr. Greg Prieto Memorial Scholarship. Gifts can be made online at Give to USD or by mail to College of Arts and Sciences Development, University of San Diego, 5998 Alcala Park, San Diego, California 92110.


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Dr. Greg Prieto Memorial Scholarship: https://www.givecampus.com/campaigns/48186/donations/new?designation=drgregprietomemorialscholarship&


Greg Prieto Cancer Journals: https://gregprieto.substack.com/

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