Justin Dutram reflects on building lasting partnerships across Latin America
After more than a decade helping the University of Arizona strengthen relationships across Latin America, Justin Dutram is transitioning from Arizona International to a new role as executive director for Eller Executive Education. As he prepares for this next step, he is reflecting on the partnerships and collaborations that have shaped his time at the university.
“The university has some really key partnerships in Latin America,” Dutram said. “I’m just a part of managing those relationships. It doesn’t all come back to me by any means, but I do feel like I’ve contributed to developing them.”
Deepening collaboration across the region
Dutram’s work has involved long-standing ties with institutions throughout Latin America, including the on-campus presence of the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM).
“It’s a very privileged position to have UNAM, one of the top universities in Latin America, on our campus with so many overlapping interests and strengths,” he said. “That has been fundamental to engagement in the region.”
He also highlights enduring collaboration with government, higher education and private-sector partners, including the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico and the Consulate of Mexico in Tucson. These relationships support initiatives ranging from academic programming to advanced professional training, such as the James E. Rogers College of Law program for Mexican diplomats.
Across the Americas, Dutram has helped faculty build connections in fields such as water resources, environmental science, engineering, public health and the social sciences.
“From my office, I’ve been able to support faculty in different colleges and departments,” he said. “We have a strong network of partners across the region.”
Research partnerships that benefit the region
Dutram’s work has supported research collaborations addressing shared regional challenges. He points to binational water research led by Professor Sharon Megdal and the Water Resources Research Center (WRRC) as one example.
“There are watersheds where the border cuts right through and you have binational management,” Dutram said. “Sharon’s team has been focused on that for years. They’re a reference for scholarship and a big reason why the U of A ranks so highly for water.”
Megdal said Dutram’s coordination has been central to that work.
“Justin’s efforts to build and sustain relationships with colleagues in Mexico and beyond have been invaluable to the Water Resources Research Center,” Megdal said. “Whether supporting curriculum development, research, international connections or our annual conference, his professionalism and dedication contributed to successful outcomes. We’ll miss collaborating with him across the region, even as we’re excited for his next chapter.”
A model for long-term partnership
Looking ahead, Dutram points to the university’s microcampus model as a powerful tool for sustained international collaboration.
“These are partnerships where you’re working day in and day out on very complex academic collaborations,” he said. “That level of engagement builds confidence and trust, which opens the door to new opportunities.”
He sees the model as well suited to emerging areas of strategic importance, including workforce-linked initiatives in semiconductors and artificial intelligence.
“There’s a workforce development piece to that,” he said. “The university holds a lot of assets and programs that can contribute. We need to be in the places where those conversations are happening.”
A lasting commitment
As he prepares to take on his new position, Dutram emphasizes that the university’s engagement with Latin America will continue.
“Engagement with Latin America is part of the institutional fabric here at the U of A,” he said. “These partnerships don’t come back to just one person. They’re institutional. They’re broad, they’re deep, and they will carry forward.”
He leaves Arizona International grateful for the colleagues and partners who shared in the work.
“I just want to thank all of my colleagues for the opportunity to work together over the years,” Dutram said. “It’s been wonderful, and I wouldn’t trade it for anything.”