The School of Public Affairs Research Institute (SOPARI) has named a new director. Luis Estevez Jimenez, professor of Planning & Community Development, has been named director beginning fall of 2019. He succeeds economics professor Rich MacDonald.
Estevez is an associate professor at St. Cloud State University and previously taught at Texas A&M University’s College of Architecture as well as in the Dominican Republic and Mexico. He earned his doctoral degree in urban and regional science from Texas A&M.
“I am excited to bring Professor Estevez Jimenez into our Research Institute,” said Dean King Banaian. “Luis has a passion for the issues of our community, including housing and transportation issues in Central Minnesota. Bringing someone with a planning background into the Research Institute will help us achieve a new level of engagement with area business, non-profit and public leaders.”
MacDonald is stepping down to assume the duties of Alnwick Academic Director for the 2019-2020 academic year.
“I want to thank Professor Rich MacDonald for his leadership of the Research Institute these last five years,” Banaian continued. “Rich will continue to be engaged with SOPARI, including creating business conditions reports with the Office of the Minnesota Secretary of State and the St. Cloud Area Quarterly Business Report.”
SOPARI works with community partners, local businesses as well as the Minnesota Secretary of State and other government units to provide research and analysis of economic activity in Central Minnesota.
