LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION

FROM: DR JOSE Z. GARCIA

Government Professor, New Mexico State University
josegarc@comcast.net, Jose.Garcia@state.nm.us

I have had an opportunity to see Dr. Lazin's work over the past two decades or so, in
my capacity as a professor at New Mexico State University, most frequently as a
participant at PROFMEX (an NGO dealing with Mexico's experience in globalization
context) conferences PROFMEX is holding annually. As a colleague, Dr Lazin would
present a paper or I would read an article she had published or was working on, and
we would share a meal together and chat.

During that time Dr. Lazin has maintained a consistent fascination with Mexico's
response to internal and external globalizing pressures. Whether inspired by the idea
of a North America that includes Mexico, or by the Mexican government's macro-
economic policies as these affected small farmers, or by the efforts of state
governments to adapt their economies to globalizing challenges, Dr. Lazin has
matured tremendously as a scholar by her willingness to travel to the farthest reaches
of Mexico, discuss local realities with the most obscure specialists, or make serious
presentations at venues which include the top intelligentsia of Mexico. Dr Olga M.
Lazin has collaborated with Mexican specialists all over the world, listened to the best
and brightest scholars in Mexico, and self-consciously developed a multi-disciplinary
approach to studying policy issues in Mexico. Her book, “Decentralized Globalization..”
(2007) deals with the important topics of free trade, civil society, and issues of
governance, in various regions of the world. The book has been highly praised by Dr.
James Wilkie, a top Mexicanologist at UCLA, among others. Her presentations,
whether in English or in Spanish, are always well delivered, her true delight in working
with people, and her infectious joie de vivre will make her an effective and popular
teacher at your institution.

At this point there are very few scholars in the U.S., including some who are often
consulted by the news media, who have the breadth and depth of knowledge she has
acquired about the relationship in Mexico between scholars, the business community,
and policy makers, on issues dealing with the New Economy in Mexico. I expect in the
next few years for Dr. Lazin to produce highly interesting works about the Mexico of
these past two decades, informed by her own extensive personal experience and
acquired wisdom.

Professor Jose Z Garcia

New Mexico State University Professor
Currently on Leave of Absence to serve as New Mexico Secretary of Higher Education