Roldán-Figueroa Named Director of Center for Latin American Studies
Dr. Rady Roldán-Figueroa, Director of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion and Associate Professor of the History of Christianity at Boston University, has been named the new director of the Frederick S. Pardee School of Global Studies’ Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS). Roldán-Figueroa will assume the role in July 2021, following Professor Adela Pineda, Professor of Spanish and Latin American Literature at BU.
In discussing his appointment, Roldán-Figueroa said, “I am very excited about this new leadership role with Pardee School’s Center for Latin American Studies. The ensemble of core and affiliated faculty are among the finest in the country in their fields of study.” He added, “I want CLAS to continue in its present upward trajectory. In addition to the current emphasis on cultural events, I would like to work with the faculty in organizing the core and affiliated faculty into three or four clusters of interdisciplinary research and explore possibilities for external funding and publications; organizing at least two conferences aligned with one or more of the interdisciplinary research clusters, and; foster greater intramural reflection and conversation about the Center’s interdisciplinary strengths and implications for additional academic offerings.”
“Turning over the helm of CLAS and leaving BU for good, leaves me with a complex flood of feelings,” said Pineda in announcing her departure. “Yet, I am extremely happy that Rady has accepted the post and that I have such a brilliant and committed successor.”
Adil Najam, Dean of the Pardee School, welcomed Roldán-Figueroa stating, “I am delighted that Professor Roldán-Figueroa has agreed to take up this position and continue the great work Professor Pineda has done in elevating Latin American studies at Boston University. As a longtime affiliate in the field, I know Rady will thrive as the Center director.” He added, “I am also saddened by the departure of my college Professor Pineda. She has been a source of major development transforming what used to be the Latin American Studies program into a Center at the Pardee School. I applaud her contributions to the field of Latin American studies and international relations and wish her all the best in her future ventures.”
Roldán-Figueroa is an Associate Professor of the History of Christianity at the School of Theology. He specializes in early-modern global Christianity, global Catholicism, Baptists, and the history of Christian spirituality. His publishing record includes The Ascetic Spirituality of Juan de Avila (1499-1569) (Brill, 2010), The Martyrs of Japan: Publication History and Catholic Missions in the Spanish World (Spain, New Spain, and the Philippines, 1597–1700) (Brill, 2021) as well as over thirty articles and book chapters. For more on Professor Roldán-Figueroa, visit his faculty profile.