El Centro de Estudios Puertorriqueños

Saludos, Friends of El Centro

Transition: "Passage from one form, state, style, or place to another." The word fairly describes the current moment in Centro's history. We are in passage to a new permanent leadership and to the next exciting phase in the history of this crucially important institution. My predecessor, Dr. Anthony de Jesús, who had served as Interim Director since early 2005 has now joined the faculty of Hunter College's School of Social Work. All of us at Centro thank Tony for his commitment and loyal stewardship.

I am honored to be filling in as Centro's Interim Director. When I came to Centro as a Research Associate in 2006 it was something of a homecoming for me. I had returned to New York after a wonderful fifteen-year sojourn at the University of Massachusetts at Boston. I say homecoming because my last position before leaving New York in the early 1990's was as Researcher at Centro, working closely with Dr. Frank Bonilla. The expressions of support from staff and many of you are my guarantee that this transition will be successful.

Our first priority in the coming months is to conclude the search process for Centro's next director. We have received the enthusiastic support of Hunter College President Jennifer R. Raab and of Provost Vita Rabinowitz. The fact that Dr. Rabinowitz chairs the search committee reflects the College's understanding that Centro is a vital part of Hunter's future. Soon we will be able to announce the finalists for the position and schedule campus visits for some excellent candidates. The campus visits will include an opportunity for each candidate to meet and interact with faculty and community members. Please check our website over the next weeks to find out when and where these public sessions will take place. We will also send out the schedule to our listserve. The sessions will be an opportunity for you to assess each candidate's qualities and vision and provide us with feedback.

We are busy with a number of projects and events. The most convenient way to get updated on Centro's activities is to read our latest newsletter, the Fall 2007 issue of El Boletín, available on this website. If you are not a current subscriber to this free publication, send us your contact information and we'll make sure you receive this and future issues.

Thank you and please stay in touch.

Andrés Torres
Interim Director