Rodríguez appointed UT Vice Provost

As the university's newest vice provost for institutional initiatives, LBJ School Professor Victoria Rodríguez aims to "polish" what UT Austin President Larry Faulkner has called one of the university's "crown jewels"--its internationally recognized Latin American studies programs.

In her new post, which she assumed in January, Rodríguez hopes to expand research opportunities and faculty and student exchange programs with Latin American institutions. She believes that these programs will enrich UT's academic programs, benefit Latin American academic institutions, and strengthen the bond between the university and Latin American countries. In addition, she would like to bring together all programs on Latin America that exist on campus within disciplinary areas such as business, law, engineering, and the sciences.

In addition to leading the university's Latin American initiative, Rodríguez also will be responsible for faculty recruitment and K-12 outreach. Regarding her responsibility for faculty hiring, Rodríguez said she would like to increase the size and diversity of the faculty through the recruitment process. In the K-12 initiative, she noted that she will be involved with 248 outreach programs at UT Austin that relate to the education of children from kindergarten through the 12th grade.

Rodríguez joined the faculties of the LBJ School and the UT Institute of Latin American Studies in 1991. Her research interests are focused on topics related to Mexico and include decentralization, state and local government, opposition governments, and women in contemporary politics.

There is no question that Faulkner's emphasis on the university's relationship with Latin America was key in moving Rodríguez toward her new post. According to her, she was captivated in October 1998 when Faulkner used his first address on the state of the university to outline Latin American studies as one of his administration's four main priorities. Shortly after the address, Rodríguez joined a campus-wide steering committee for the Latin American initiative and soon became a leading voice in that area.

During a January reception in Rodriguez's honor, UT Austin Provost Sheldon Ekland-Olson said he was delighted Rodríguez had joined the Provost's Office. "When we started talking about ways to advance the Latin American initiative and who might be good on campus to do that, the name that rose to the top most often, and almost without exception, was Professor Rodríguez," he said. "It was an easy decision to ask Victoria. She is a superb colleague."

While Rodríguez said she regrets that her role at the LBJ School will be limited by her new responsibilities, she said that she would not abandon her research on women and politics in Latin America. She also will continue to teach at least one course per semester at the LBJ School.

"I never have seen myself as an administrator, but I care deeply about the university's relationship with Latin America," she said.

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May 14, 2001

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