Archer Fellowship Program Alumni Profiles
Arturo Barrio
Fall 2001 Archer Fellow
Internship: The World Bank
Education
The University of Texas at El Paso
B.B.A.; May 2002
Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP), Spain
Master of Public Policy; Spring 2003
Professional
Senior Advisor to the President on Mexico and Latin America at The University of Texas at El Paso
Director General, Mesoamerican Integration Program, Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs - previous
Minister of Economic and Cooperation Affairs, Mexican Mission to the Organization of American States - previous
Fall 2001 Archer Fellow
Internship: The World Bank
Education
The University of Texas at El Paso
B.B.A.; May 2002
Fundación Internacional y para Iberoamérica de Administración y Políticas Públicas (FIIAPP), Spain
Master of Public Policy; Spring 2003
Professional
Senior Advisor to the President on Mexico and Latin America at The University of Texas at El Paso
Director General, Mesoamerican Integration Program, Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs - previous
Minister of Economic and Cooperation Affairs, Mexican Mission to the Organization of American States - previous
“I truly consider the Archer Fellowship an important pillar of my professional development and a true cornerstone for my passion for public service.
Q & A with Arturo
Please tell us more about your current position.
In 2015, I came back to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to support the University’s efforts to strengthen the relationship with Mexico and Latin America. I currently work on issues related to international recruitment, engagement with public, private and academic sectors in Mexico and Latin America, as well as strengthening our liaison with our international alumni. An important part of my work is related to facilitating the execution of collaborative agreements, identifying financial instruments/scholarships to support international students, and identifying best practices or areas of opportunity to collaborate with other academic institutions.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
Thanks to the Archer Center, specifically to Dr. John Daly, in one of the first classes of the program, I learned the importance of becoming an asset. Asking for advice and offering to help my supervisor was key to have a very enriching experience at the World Bank. I had the opportunity to participate in different meetings and provide support in elaborating reports related to anti-corruption for different countries in Latin America.
What has been your general career path?
After graduation, I went back to the World Bank. In 2002, I received a scholarship to study a Master in Public Policy in Spain. In 2003, I started working at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an Advisor to the Undersecretary for North America. In 2005, I was appointed as Director of Border Affairs. In 2007, I began serving as Deputy Director General for Human, Social and Sustainable Development of the Plan Puebla Panama. In 2009, I was appointed Director General of the Mesoamerican Integration Program. From 2012 - 2015, I served as Minister of Economic and Cooperation Affairs at the Mexican Mission to the Organization of American States.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Being an Archer Fellow truly changed my life. I was given an opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. The Archer Center gave me tools that I use in my everyday life, from the importance of carrying business cards to asking for advice. I truly consider the Archer Fellowship an important pillar of my professional development and a true cornerstone for my passion for public service.
What did you value the most about your AFP experience?
One of the things that I value the most about this program was the opportunity to meet our founder, Congressman Bill Archer, and his wife, Mrs. Sharon Archer. The Archer Fellowship Program gave me a unique opportunity to live in Washington, D.C., and to intern at the World Bank, and this was thanks to Mr. Archer and Dr. Diana Natalicio, who opened a space for UTEP to be the second UT System institution to participate in this program. This program reassured me that everything is possible and gave me the confidence and the tools to pursue my dreams.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
Being part of one of the first classes of the Archer Fellowship Program has given me the opportunity to witness the growth of this important initiative. The Archer Program allowed me to be part of a unique network of about a 1,000 students from all over the world and from different backgrounds. Additionally, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the Archer Center Advisory Board to serve the alumni, current and future students of the program.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
One of my favorite memories of the Archer Fellowship Program was the opportunity to spend time with Mr. and Mrs. Archer. The dinner that they hosted for our class at the beginning of the program and the visit to their farm were truly special moments for me.
Please tell us more about your current position.
In 2015, I came back to The University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to support the University’s efforts to strengthen the relationship with Mexico and Latin America. I currently work on issues related to international recruitment, engagement with public, private and academic sectors in Mexico and Latin America, as well as strengthening our liaison with our international alumni. An important part of my work is related to facilitating the execution of collaborative agreements, identifying financial instruments/scholarships to support international students, and identifying best practices or areas of opportunity to collaborate with other academic institutions.
Please tell us more about your Archer Fellowship Program internship.
Thanks to the Archer Center, specifically to Dr. John Daly, in one of the first classes of the program, I learned the importance of becoming an asset. Asking for advice and offering to help my supervisor was key to have a very enriching experience at the World Bank. I had the opportunity to participate in different meetings and provide support in elaborating reports related to anti-corruption for different countries in Latin America.
What has been your general career path?
After graduation, I went back to the World Bank. In 2002, I received a scholarship to study a Master in Public Policy in Spain. In 2003, I started working at the Mexican Ministry of Foreign Affairs as an Advisor to the Undersecretary for North America. In 2005, I was appointed as Director of Border Affairs. In 2007, I began serving as Deputy Director General for Human, Social and Sustainable Development of the Plan Puebla Panama. In 2009, I was appointed Director General of the Mesoamerican Integration Program. From 2012 - 2015, I served as Minister of Economic and Cooperation Affairs at the Mexican Mission to the Organization of American States.
How has your experience as an Archer Fellow influenced your career path and goals?
Being an Archer Fellow truly changed my life. I was given an opportunity to see the world from a different perspective. The Archer Center gave me tools that I use in my everyday life, from the importance of carrying business cards to asking for advice. I truly consider the Archer Fellowship an important pillar of my professional development and a true cornerstone for my passion for public service.
What did you value the most about your AFP experience?
One of the things that I value the most about this program was the opportunity to meet our founder, Congressman Bill Archer, and his wife, Mrs. Sharon Archer. The Archer Fellowship Program gave me a unique opportunity to live in Washington, D.C., and to intern at the World Bank, and this was thanks to Mr. Archer and Dr. Diana Natalicio, who opened a space for UTEP to be the second UT System institution to participate in this program. This program reassured me that everything is possible and gave me the confidence and the tools to pursue my dreams.
What do you value the most about being an alumnus?
Being part of one of the first classes of the Archer Fellowship Program has given me the opportunity to witness the growth of this important initiative. The Archer Program allowed me to be part of a unique network of about a 1,000 students from all over the world and from different backgrounds. Additionally, I am very grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the Archer Center Advisory Board to serve the alumni, current and future students of the program.
What is your favorite memory as an Archer Fellow?
One of my favorite memories of the Archer Fellowship Program was the opportunity to spend time with Mr. and Mrs. Archer. The dinner that they hosted for our class at the beginning of the program and the visit to their farm were truly special moments for me.
