Director, Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center

Director, Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center
Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs
Florida International University
Miami, Florida 

Florida International University seeks an exemplary leader for its Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center (LACC), the flagship center of the Steven J. Green School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA). The largest university in South Florida, FIU is a vibrant comprehensive university offering 180 bachelor’s, master’s and doctoral programs in 11 colleges and schools. FIU is Carnegie-designated as both a research university with highest research activity and a community-engaged university. Located in the heart of the multicultural South Florida urban region, FIU’s multiple campuses serve over 54,000 students, placing FIU among the ten largest universities in the nation.  Annual research expenditures in excess of $237 million and a deep commitment to engagement have made FIU the go-to solutions center for local to global issues alike. FIU leads the nation in awarding undergraduate and graduate degrees, including in the STEM fields, to minority students. FIU’s students reflect Miami’s diverse population, earning FIU the designation of Hispanic-Serving Institution.

Established in 2008, SIPA fulfills FIU’s promise to promote the education of globally engaged citizens.  SIPA brings together many of the University’s internationally-oriented disciplines, including the departments of Criminal Justice, Economics, Global & Sociocultural Studies, History, Modern Languages, Politics and International Relations, Public Administration, and Religious Studies. SIPA employs nearly 360 faculty; enrolls more than 5,000 students, representing more than 120 different countries; offers 38 degree programs at the bachelor’s, master’s, and doctoral levels, as well as 35 certificate programs; and is home to 16 of the University’s most prominent international centers, institutes, and programs. SIPA is a member of the Association of Professional Schools of International Affairs. 

Established in 1979 to promote the study of Latin America and the Caribbean in Florida and throughout the United States, LACC was the university’s first area studies center. Over the last four decades, LACC has become a dynamic driver of research, education and public affairs, language and area studies focused on a region and people that are critical to the nation and the South Florida community.  LACC is a U.S. Department of Education-designated Title VI National Resource Center on Latin America for foreign languages and area studies and is considered one of the most prestigious regional studies programs in the nation. LACC has a mandate to work across university departments, schools, and colleges, to support interdisciplinary teaching, research, training, and outreach. Today, LACC comprises more than 200 affiliated faculty from across the university, including faculty from the social sciences, humanities, physical and biological sciences, environmental studies, business, law, and professional programs. Faculty scholarship has helped to inform and shape policy and has contributed to building LACC’s reputation for innovative approaches to issues of migration, regional security, Central American politics, Haitian affairs and Andean history and culture.

Reporting to the Dean of SIPA, the Director serves as the academic and administrative leader of LACC, providing strategic direction and oversight for the Center’s primary missions of research, education, policy, and outreach. The Director’s primary charge is to continue to build the Center as a global leader for the study of Latin America and the Caribbean by developing and nurturing national and international partnerships with the public and private sectors, pursuing collaborative opportunities, demonstrating achievement of results, and ensuring the long-term financial sustainability of the Center. The Director oversees a core leadership team that includes an Associate Director, a Director of Research, a Director of Academic Programs, a Director of Andean Studies, and a total staff of 18, in addition to the Center’s affiliated faculty, research faculty, visiting faculty, post-doctoral research fellows, and student workers. The Director oversees a total budget of approximately $2.5 million and works closely with both Faculty and Research Advisory Boards.

This is an exciting opportunity to lead a Center with a stellar history and an international reputation.  FIU seeks a director for LACC who combines global vision, regional expertise, and administrative experience to promote LACC as a an internationally renowned center for the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. The ideal candidate will have a relevant doctorate; a distinguished research and teaching record; proven administrative, financial management, and fundraising skills; the ability to build partnerships and foster collaboration; proven commitment to promote diversity and inclusion; and a vision for how a 21st century multidisciplinary center can and should evolve its relationships with its own university, other academic institutions, and local, national, and international communities. The successful candidate must be eligible for tenure at the associate or full professor level in an academic department within SIPA. Language fluency in Spanish is required, and knowledge of Portuguese would be highly desirable. 

Screening will begin in October and continue until an appointment is made. Nominations, inquiries, and applications (including a cover letter, curriculum vitae, and the names of five references) should be directed electronically to FIULACCDirector@divsearch.com

Kim M. Morrisson, Ph.D., Senior Managing Director or John Mestepey, Managing Director
Stephanie Franklin, Vice President and Senior Associate
The Diversified Search Group

FIU is a member of the State University System of Florida and an Equal Opportunity, Equal Access Affirmative Action Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.

For more information, visit www.fiu.edu.