José Ballesteros, chair and professor of international languages and cultures, has been appointed by Maryland Governor Wes Moore as a member of the Governor's Commission on Hispanic and Latin American Affairs. He was appointed in June and is serving the remainder of a four-year term that began January 1, 2025.
“I'm really honored to serve the people of Maryland and in particular those populations that the Commission on Hispanic and Latin American Affairs serves,” Ballesteros said. “I’m excited to give representation to those populations in Southern Maryland and I see this as a natural progression of the support and advocacy work I've done at the College for our diverse communities.”
The Commission aims to advance equity, access, and opportunity for Hispanic and Latin American communities across Maryland.
Ballesteros co-created and is currently the faculty liaison for the DeSousa-Brent Scholars Program at St. Mary’s College. That program invites students from communities that have been historically underrepresented in higher education to be part of a supportive community of gifted individuals where cohort-based coursework, motivational events and individual mentoring cultivate their academic and leadership potential.
“I'm delighted to learn of Professor Ballesteros’s prestigious appointment; the state will be well served by his commitment and expertise,” said Provost and Dean of Faculty Katie Gantz. ”Just as importantly, our students in the Signature Scholars program (DB in particular) have an outstanding role model and advocate in Dr. Ballesteros.”
Ballesteros has been a faculty member within the College’s Department of International Languages and Cultures since 2002.
