Mission Statement

The Academic Advisory Committee (AAC) of the Cuban Heritage Collection (CHC) supports the growth, longevity, and success of the Cuban Heritage Collection in pursuit of its principal mission: collecting, preserving, providing access to, and supporting research in primary and secondary sources of enduring historical and artifactual value related to Cuba and the Cuban diaspora. The Cuban Heritage Collection serves as a center for knowledge preservation, creation, and dissemination for the Cuban diaspora, the scholarly community, and the broader public. In that spirit, the CHC aims to strengthen its position as a leading site for the promotion and discussion of research in Cuban Studies.

To these ends, AAC members 1) provide feedback and advice on CHC academic programs, public events, collection strategies, and other strategic initiatives, 2) participate in application review for the CHC’s various fellowship, grant, and other application-based scholarly programs, and 3) help promote wider use and awareness of the CHC and its academic programs within scholarly, professional, community, and student networks.

Committee Structure

The AAC is composed of 10 members, who are University of Miami full-time faculty or are established Cuban Studies scholars at other institutions, nationally and internationally. The Committee serves as an advisory group to the Esperanza Bravo de Varona Chair and Director of the CHC. Members serve terms of two years. New members to fill vacancies are nominated by the Bravo de Varona Chair and the Emilio Bacardí Moreau Chair in Cuban and Cuban-American Studies/CHC Director of Academic Programs.