Colombia RPCV Dr. Refugio I. Rochin was the first Director of the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives in Washington, D.C
Refugio I. Rochin is the first Director of the Smithsonian Center for Latino Initiatives in Washington, D.C. The Center's mission is to advance knowledge and understanding of Latino contributions to U.S. history, arts, music, culture, and science.
It accomplishes its mission by administering federal funds within the Smithsonian and by promoting projects throughout the Institution's 16 Museums, Centers, and the National Zoo. Before joining the Smithsonian in August 1998, Dr. Rochin was Professor of Sociology and Agricultural Economics and Director of the Julian Samora Research Institute (JSRI) at Michigan State University for four years.
And prior to his appointments at MSU, he was Professor of Agricultural Economics and Chicano Studies at the University of California, Davis, titles for which he is now Professor Emeritus after 23 years at UC Davis. Dr. Rochin is known for his research and lectures on Latino Studies, Hispanic Enterprises, Human Resource Economics, and International Development.
He has also worked abroad on projects for campesinos, rural reform, and economic development. His list of publications includes more than 100 articles, book chapters, and peer reviewed publications. His latest books include: The Mexicanization of Rural California (with Elaine Allensworth), 1998, published by The Julian Samora Research Institute, and Voices of A New Chicana/o History, (co-edited with Dennis Valdes), 2000, by Michigan State University Press.
Dr. Rochin has served on numerous boards, including the California Board of Food and Agriculture, the Board of California Rural Housing Corporation, the Board of the Michigan Educational Opportunity Fund, and the National Board for Agricultural Research, Extension, Education, and Economics for USDA. He currently serves on the Advisory Committee on Consumer/Disability Telecommunications of the Federal Communications Commission, Board of Economists of Hispanic Business, Inc., Advisory Board of the Inter-University Program for Latino Research (a national consortium), and Dr. Rochin's international experience includes the Peace Corps in Colombia (1962-64), the Ford Foundation in Pakistan, Bangladesh, and Colombia, and consulting in the West Bank and Gaza, Egypt, South Korea, Peru, Argentina, Ecuador, Panama, Honduras, El Salvador, Guatemala, Mexico, and the Caribbean.
