About CMAS

Mission Statement

Born out of the activism of the civil rights movement, the Center for Mexican American Studies (CMAS) was established in June 1970, with Professor Américo Paredes as one of its principal founders and first director.

CMAS is a unit within the College of Liberal Arts at The University of Texas at Austin. The mission of CMAS is to serve Texas and the nation as a leader in the intellectual development of Mexican American Studies. The establishment of CMAS represents an institutional recognition of the importance of the Mexican American people in the history, culture, and society of the United States.

Faculty and students affiliated with CMAS have worked to enhance our understanding of the Mexican and Mexican American experience, as well as the broader Latino experience, and to strengthen the presence of Mexican Americans and other Latinos in the intellectual terrain, both within and beyond US borders.

CMAS accomplishes its mission by offering an undergraduate degree program, a master’s degree program, and a graduate portfolio program for masters and doctoral students. CMAS hosts a number of public presentations by faculty, students, and invited guests. In addition, CMAS offers an extensive public programming calendar throughout the academic year and maintains a variety of community and research partnerships.

We thank you for visiting our web pages and invite you to learn more about CMAS and Mexican American Studies at The University of Texas at Austin.

José E. Limón, Ph.D.
Mody C. Boatright Regents Professor in American and English Literature
Professor of Anthropology and American Studies
Director, Center for Mexican American Studies