Biography

José Antonio Guzmán is President of the Universidad de los Andes since 2014. He has been associated to this institution since its establishment in 1991.

As President, Dr Guzman inaugurated the teaching hospital of the University, which opened its doors in 2014. In 2015, he promoted the creation of the School of Nursing and Obstetrics, a new PhD in Communication, and three undergraduate programs (one in Engineering and two in Health Sciences). Furthermore, Universidad de los Andes is a leader among Chilean universities in raising donations for its academic projects. The University ranks in the third place in terms of the selectivity of its incoming students. During his tenure, Dr. Guzman has been involved in the debate regarding higher education that is taking place in Chile.

Between 2010 and 2013 Dr. Guzmán moved to the United States for his doctoral studies. He earned a Master of Education from Harvard University in 2011, and a Doctorate in Education at the University of Pennsylvania in 2013. Under the advisement of Professor Robert Zemsky, Guzman wrote his doctoral dissertation about strategies for fostering the teaching quality in Chilean universities.

President Jose Antonio Guzman served as Vice-President for Academic Affairs at Universidad de los Andes from July 2006 to July 2010. Under his leadership as Vice-President, the University approved its first accreditation process, resulting in one of the highest accreditation scores in the Chilean system. He also guided the University through the first general process of academic appointments in its history. With regard to the curriculum, he led the creation of a general education program to be incorporated to the undergraduate degrees. Dr Guzman promoted the creation of the Research Council of the University in 2009, which oversees policies on the matter. In addition, he created the University Office of Research and Development.

Prior to the office of Vice-president, President Guzman was member of the executive board of Universidad de los Andes, from 2004 to 2006. In that capacity, he participated as a voting member in all the fundamental decisions on the administration of the University.

From 1991 to 1994, Dr. Guzman was Assistant Professor of Constitutional Law and Assistant Dean at the Law School.

In 1991, José Antonio Guzman received his J.D. degree from Universidad Católica de Chile.

He was born and raised in Santiago de Chile.