Peter M. Siavelis (CLAS ’89) is a professor in the department of politics and international affairs at Wake Forest University. He has published widely on many aspects of Latin American and Chilean politics, including candidate selection, election systems, presidencies, gender quotas and informal institutions. His commentary on the Chilean Constitutional Convention has been featured in Foreign Policy, NPR, Current History, Americas Quarterly, The Washington Post and BBC, as well as numerous outlets in Latin America. In addition, he has received two university-wide teaching awards at Wake Forest and is the founder and director of the university’s study abroad program in Chile, run in partnership with Diego Portales University.

Reflecting on his experiences at CLAS, Professor Siavelis said, “My time completing the M.A. in Latin American Studies at Georgetown was truly formative and set the course for my professional and personal life. It gave me the analytical tools to understand democratic transitions and institutions across Latin America and opened networks and opportunities that shaped my academic path. Equally important, my years at CLAS brought lifelong friends and mentors who continue to enrich my life and work. The experience deepened my fascination with Latin America — especially Chile — which became both the focus of my research and a place of lasting personal connection. I can say without exaggeration that I would not be where I am today without my time at CLAS.”