Scholars and Visitors

Each year CLAS sponsors an outstanding group of visiting scholars. The group ranges from area specialists to public intellectuals and practitioners. Visiting scholars give public talks and participate fully in the intellectual life at CLAS.

Applying for affiliation with CLAS

Senior Scholars

Maria Echaveste

Maria Echaveste has built a distinguished career working as a public policy consultant, lecturer, senior White House official, long-time community leader, and corporate attorney. She has lectured at UC Berkeley's School of Law and was affiliated with the UC Berkeley Warren Institute on Law and Social Policy.  She is currently working on immigration, civic engagement, labor rights and education. She is an affiliate of the Berkeley Food Institute, a multi-disciplinary center at UC Berkeley, focused on transforming our nation’s food system. She specializes in international issues related to Mexico and Latin America, including being named by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton as Special Representative to Bolivia in 2009.  From 1998 to 2001, Echaveste served as assistant to the president and deputy chief of staff to President Bill Clinton. From 1997 to 1998, Echaveste was director of the Office of Public Liaison at the White House and the administrator of the Labor Department’s Wage and Hour Division from 1993 to 1997. 

Visiting Fellow

Natalia Ariza Ramirez, Colombia (2018)

Ms. Ariza Ramírez is an economist at the National University of Colombia (NUC). She holds a master's degree in Economics Science from NUC with an emphasis on theory and economic policy. Ms. Ariza Ramírez is an expert in the design, execution, monitoring and evaluation of public policies, especially in the education sector, training for work, and employment. She has led the construction of the regulatory and public policy framework of the sectors of work and education over the past 12 years. Ms. Ariza Ramírez served as an independent consultant and Deputy Minister of Higher Education from 2014 to 2016. She has also held management positions in public institutions in Colombia, including the National Apprenticeship Service, Ministry of Labor, Ministry of Social Protection and the National Planning Department. Ms. Ariza Ramírez believes that access to quality education for children and young people is the only way to achieve social cohesion.

Affiliates (non-resident)

Past Visiting Scholars and Researchers