SUBJECT:

Interim Director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies

It is my pleasure to announce that Peter H. Smith, Distinguished Professor of Political Science and Simón Bolívar Professor of Latin American Studies, began serving as the Interim Director of the Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies effective September 1, 2008.

The Center for U.S.-Mexican Studies has become this nation's premier institute for social science research on Mexico and U.S.-Mexican relations. The Center participates in and promotes multidisciplinary research relevant to current policy issues in Mexico and to the bilateral relationship in close collaboration with Mexican institutions. In addition, the Center supports comparative studies with a substantial Mexico component.

Peter Smith specializes in comparative politics, Latin American politics, and U.S.-Latin American relations. Smith has served as president of the Latin American Studies Association and has been a consultant to the Ford Foundation, the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, and other institutions. At UCSD, Smith served as director of the Center for Iberian and Latin American Studies (1989-2001) and director of Latin American Studies (1994-2001).

I would like to take this opportunity to thank and welcome Peter Smith as he takes on this important leadership position. He can be reached by email at phsmith@ucsd.edu.

Peter F. Cowhey Associate Vice Chancellor - International Affairs Dean Graduate School of International Relations and Pacific Studies