Kristin Ruggiero and the late Howard Handelman

Dr. Kristin Ruggiero, Professor Emerita, came to UWM to direct the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) in 1999. As an accomplished and trained Historian, Dr. Ruggiero also joined the History Department faculty and served as Associate Director of the Center for International Education. Professor Ruggiero has been a life-long Latin Americanist, engaging in research and teaching on the history and culture of Latin America for nearly fifty years. Her research primarily focused on Argentina, and the historical areas of criminology, gender and medicine. Dr. Ruggiero’s most profound contribution to UWM was through her fifteen years of leadership as Director of the CLACS. As Director, she led the Center’s efforts to promote, develop and support teaching, research, and outreach about the Americas.

The late Dr. Howard Handelman was a member of the UWM Political Science Department (1970-2006). He served as Chair of that department (1986-89, 2003-2005) and was acting Chair of the Department of Spanish and Portuguese (1992-93, 2000). He proudly served as Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies from 1994 to 1999. Teaching a variety of courses in comparative politics, his research focus was Latin America. His published research covers Cuba, Ecuador, Mexico, Peru, Uruguay, and Venezuela, exploring topics that include peasant mobilization and agrarian reform, labor union politics, the military, and national elections.