Julian Nava
| Julian Nava | |
|---|---|
| United States Ambassador to Mexico | |
|
In office May 7, 1980 – April 3, 1981 |
|
| President | Jimmy Carter |
| Preceded by | Patrick J. Lucey |
| Succeeded by | John Gavin |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
June 19, 1927 Los Angeles, California |
| Alma mater |
Pomona College; Harvard University |
| Occupation | Diplomat, Professor, Politician |
Julian Nava (born June 19, 1927) is an American educator and diplomat.
Julian Nava was born in Los Angeles, California, to Mexican immigrants in 1927, and was one of 8 siblings. Nava grew up in the barrio of East L.A. In 1945, he volunteered for the Air Corps of the United States Navy. Upon his return to Los Angeles, Nava studied at East Los Angeles Community College before transferring to Pomona College, one of the prestigious Claremont Colleges. After earning his undergraduate degree in history in 1951, Nava earned a Ph.D in Latin American history from Harvard University in 1955. He taught in Venezuela,Spain, Puerto Rico, and Colombia, where he founded Centro de Estudios Universitarios in Bogota. From 1957-2000, Nava was Professor of History at California State University, Northridge (CSUN).
In 1967, the Congress of Mexican American Unity (ninety two community groups) nominated him to run for the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. Nava became the first Mexican-American to serve on the county-wide board (composed of thirteen cities including Los Angeles). He was elected to three consecutive terms, from 1967-1979.
In 1980, he was appointed U.S. Ambassador to Mexico by President Jimmy Carter. He was the first Mexican-American to hold the position.
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