St. Edward's University announced the appointment today of former Mexican Ambassador to Argentina Rosario Green as the first visiting professor and faculty chair of The Kozmetsky Center of Excellence in Global Finance. Green has served in a number of diplomatic and academic positions. A noted authority on subjects related to Mexican and Latin-American foreign debt, international politics and the world economy, Green is the author of numerous books and articles.

The Kozmetsky Center was established through a $3 million gift from well-known Austin philanthropists Ronya Kozmetsky and her late husband George. As faculty chair, Green will lead the center's efforts to create ethical, equitable relationships among countries of varying degrees of socioeconomic development, with particular emphasis on Mexico and Latin America. In collaboration with existing faculty, Green will be instrumental in developing curricular programs, projects and special events. Students at St. Edward's will actively participate in such programs, working with government and business leaders to create long-term, broad-based and sustainable financial growth to meet basic socioeconomic needs and human rights in these developing countries.

"Because I have been blessed with so many opportunities in my life and career, I am especially pleased to give back by bringing my holistic view of global finance to a new generation of business and community leaders," Green said. "On the surface, global finance can appear to be a rather cold business; however, when explored in terms of its effect on people, cultures and social justice, it takes on a more productive and healing tone. My values are closely aligned with the vision and mission of St. Edward's, and I look forward to showing students how they can make a difference in the world."

"By addressing issues of social justice through economic policy, the work of the Kozmetsky center will serve as an important extension of the mission and values of St. Edward's University," said George E. Martin, president. "Ambassador Green brings a unique perspective as a diplomat and scholar — she understands the needs of these countries and the numerous ways St. Edward's may contribute to finding lasting solutions."

"My parents funded this center because they believe in St. Edward's and the role this university can play in improving the lives of so many," said Gregory A. Kozmetsky, '70, who serves on the St. Edward's University Board of Trustees and is an honorary chairman of the $65 million Special Destiny comprehensive campaign. "Along with Ambassador Green's global experiences, she brings a network of government and business leaders who can offer our students educational opportunities that extend beyond the classroom. Students will have unprecedented access to leaders focusing on trade and investment in the Americas, and they will gain experience in bilingual and bicultural business activities."

In addition to her 2001 appointment as Mexican ambassador to Argentina, Green has extensive experience in the international political and financial arena. She is the only woman to have served as Mexico's secretary of state and also served as a senator in the Mexican Congress, presiding over one of its Foreign Affairs commissions. Green also has served as Mexican undersecretary of state, ambassador to Germany, executive secretary of the National Commission of Human Rights, consultant to the International Red Cross, and cabinet member of the secretary general of the United Nations under Boutros Boutros-Ghali. She has served as advisor at the World Bank to the executive director for Mexico, Central America, Panama and Venezuela. Green also has extensive academic experience and has previously held positions as professor at the Center for International Studies of El Colegio de México, professor of International and Latin American Economic Problems at the Universidad Iberoamericana (UIA), and professor of International Economics, International Politics and Latin American Problems at the School of Political and Social Sciences of the Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México (UNAM).

Green received a BA in International Relations from UNAM and an MA in Economics from both El Colegio de México and Columbia University. She holds certificates in Latin American Studies from Columbia University and on Latin American Economic Integration from the Institute on Latin American Integration (INTAL/IDB) of Argentina. In recognition for her work on behalf of international relations and social justice, Green has been awarded honorary doctorates from the College of New Rochelle in New York, Tufts University in Massachusetts and the Argentine University on Business (UADE).