UNM Department of Economics appoints Matias Fontenla as department chair

Beginning Aug. 1, Professor of Economics Matías Fontenla will serve as chair of The University of New Mexico's Department of Economics. A member of the UNM faculty for more than two decades, Fontenla has held several leadership roles, including serving as associate director of the Latin American and Iberian Institute as well as being elected chair of the Committee on Governance from 2022-2026.

"I am humbled that my colleagues wanted me to serve as chair," Fontenla said. "I know there will be challenging aspects of the position, but I am willing to do this as a service to my department."

Fontenla's research focuses on development economics, return migration and financial intermediation, with a regional emphasis on Latin America. He has published extensively in leading academic journals, including The Review of Economics and Statistics, World Development, Economics Letters and Macroeconomic Dynamics.

In a recent study published in The Review of Economics and Statistics, Fontenla and his co-authors found evidence that return migration from the United States has contributed to local economic development in Mexico.

"We also observe drops in poverty and inequality, reductions in crime, and increases in education and health outcomes," Fontenla said. "The mechanisms for these effects are savings and job skills acquired while in the U.S."

In addition to his work at UNM, Fontenla serves as a trustee of the New Mexico Educational Retirement Board, where he chairs the Investments Committee. A native of Argentina, he earned his doctorate in economics from the University of Texas at Austin. Before joining UNM, he taught at CIDE and the University of Guanajuato in Mexico.

Associate Dean Keith Hunley said Fontenla's leadership and scholarship make him well suited to guide the department.

"I'm delighted that Professor Matías Fontenla will serve as the next chair of the Economics Department," Hunley said. "Matías is an accomplished economist whose research on development economics, return migration and financial intermediation has earned national and international recognition. He has been a valued member of the UNM faculty for more than 20 years and brings extensive leadership experience, including his service as associate director of the Latin American and Iberian Institute. The College and I are grateful to Melissa Binder for her outstanding leadership as department chair and for her many contributions to the department, and we thank her for her dedicated service."

As he prepares to lead the department, Fontenla said his priorities include supporting faculty success and strengthening the student experience.

"My goal is to provide the resources and support so that every member of my department can reach their full potential in teaching and research, that they are happy to come to school and proud of what they do," Fontenla said. "I also want our students to learn that economics is an exciting field that studies incredibly important problems and prepares them for exciting careers."