Rafael Alexandre Mello (he/him) is a Visiting Assistant Professor of Politics. His research focuses on unequal international political-economic relations, primarily concerned with the repercussions these interactions have on economic development and on the democracy-authoritarian nexus in Latin America and the broader Global South. He is particularly interested in emerging power politics and their organizations as they seek to impact world governance and world order.

Clarisa Pérez-Armendáriz is Professor of Politics and Latin American Studies at ÀÖ²¥´«Ã½ College. Her research explores how international migration affects politics in migrants’ origin countries, especially in Mexico. She is interested in how Mexican immigrants living abroad influence politics and political attitudes and behaviors in Mexico. She also studies the political participation of migrants who return to their origin countries. Clarisa teaches courses in comparative politics, Latin American politics, Latinx politics, international migration.

Clarisa served as a US Foreign Service officer in Mexico City and India.

Teaching for Academic Year 2025-26

LALS/PLTC 338: Political Challenges in Latin America

FYS 585: How Democracy Dies

PLTC 122: Government and Politics in Global Perspective