Dr. María Angélica Buendía Espinosa Appointed Rector of UAM Xochimilco for 2025-2029
The Board of Directors of the Metropolitan Autonomous University (UAM), Xochimilco Unit, has appointed Dr. María Angélica Buendía Espinosa as the new rector of the campus, effective for the period of 2025–2029. Her inauguration is scheduled for December 8th at the UAM Xochimilco Cultural Center, marking a new chapter for the institution.
Dr. Buendía Espinosa succeeds Dr. Francisco Javier Soria López, who has served as the highest authority of the Unit since December 2021. The incoming rector’s ambitious proposal outlines over 50 institutional programs, encompassing a wide range of initiatives from academic transformation and technological integration to fostering diversity, sustainability, and enhanced communication.
Her work plan is deeply rooted in a comprehensive assessment of the Unit’s progress and the challenges it faces, 51 years after its founding. A core tenet of her vision is strengthening academic quality with a strong emphasis on social relevance, alongside consolidating the university community and promoting institutional transformation. “We aim to exercise leadership committed to the development of the country,” a senior official stated, reflecting the rector’s dedication to national progress.
Dr. Buendía Espinosa brings over 35 years of extensive experience in teaching, research, and management within both secondary and higher education. She intends to approach administration and management as a reflective and dialogic process, moving beyond purely instrumental approaches to facilitate the necessary changes on campus.
The Xochimilco Unit’s strategic direction aligns with Sustainable Development Goal (SDG) 4 of the 2030 Agenda set forth by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), which champions inclusive, equitable, and quality education for all. In Mexico, broader efforts to strengthen higher education are underway, focusing on universal access, student retention, graduation rates, and the ongoing development of academic staff and infrastructure.
Dr. Buendía Espinosa’s academic background includes graduation from Normal School number 21 of Texcoco, a degree in Sociology from the Xochimilco Unit of the UAM, and a doctorate in Social Sciences from the Latin American Faculty of Social Sciences (FLACSO) Mexico. She is a Full Professor C and has held several key leadership positions, including Coordinator of Planning, Coordinator of the Bachelor’s Degree in Social Policy and Management, Director of Institutional Evaluation, and Director of the Division of Social Sciences and Humanities.
Her contributions extend to the development of institutional planning and assessment methodologies, the design of innovative teaching programs, and the direction of numerous research projects. Dr. Buendía Espinosa has also actively participated in the Academic Council and College, demonstrating a thorough understanding of the UAM’s processes and key stakeholders.
A key component of her plan involves consolidating both physical and technological spaces to meet the evolving needs of study plans and research initiatives. This includes a commitment to strengthening pedagogical, disciplinary, technological, and socio-emotional competencies, as well as promoting comprehensive evaluation of learning and programs. Furthermore, she proposes developing robust support systems for students, from admission through graduation, with a particular focus on diversity and equity.
Expanding student participation in local, regional, and national development projects, particularly in vulnerable areas, is also a priority. Dr. Buendía Espinosa also intends to bolster internal and external strategic communication, enhance the editorial plan, and promote cultural activities that celebrate diversity.
Currently, the Xochimilco Unit offers a diverse range of academic programs, including 18 bachelor’s degrees, two associate professional programs, 25 master’s degrees, and 12 doctoral programs. In 2024, the unit experienced a significant increase in enrollment, reaching 14,606 students, with a dropout rate of less than 11 percent and an inclusion rate of 48.2 percent. The unit also boasts 22 academic bodies, with 19 of them consolidated, and 10 research groups registered in the National System of Researchers (SNII).
Research at the Xochimilco Unit is actively pursued through 16 institutional projects, addressing critical areas such as climate change, community health, human rights, migration, violence, security, culture, and society. The unit actively cultivates collaborations with the public, private, and social sectors and participates in inter-institutional networks of higher education.
Dr. Buendía Espinosa has undertaken research stays at prestigious institutions including Stanford University, Kassel University, and CINDA (Interuniversity Development Center) Chile. She has also served as a professor, researcher, and public official in various public and private higher education institutions, and coordinated the Institutional Research Laboratory of the Jesuit University System, directing over 100 theses.
Recognized as a Level III member of the National System of Researchers (SNII) under the Secretariat of Science, Humanities, Technology and Innovation (Secihti), Dr. Buendía Espinosa has authored over 120 academic publications and has served as a program evaluator, project adjudicator, and jury member for academic awards across more than 30 national institutions. Her appointment signals a commitment to continued growth and innovation at the UAM Xochimilco Unit.
