Speech prof accepts position in Mexico

After 20 years with the University, speech Professor Roger Conaway believes the timing in his life couldn’t be better for an “exciting venture.”

So, earlier this month he announced his retirement and his plans to move to Mexico at the end of the semester to teach at Tecnológico de Monterrey.

He considered a move to Eastern Europe or other South American countries, but in the end he decided to try Mexico.

“My wife and I have a real interest in Latin America,” Conaway said.

The couple lived one year in South America in the late 1980s and they have participated in short term missions through their church in Central America and Mexico.

He said her ability to speak fluent Spanish should help the two adjust more easily to life in a new culture.

Finding a new job started with a “cold call” to the Monterrey Institute of Technology and Higher Education after he heard about the opportunity from a friend and colleague. He stressed the position must be for English-taught classes.

MIT administration accommodated his request, since 15 percent of the classes are taught in English, he said.

MIT is set up much like The University of Texas, with branches throughout Mexico. Conaway said he sent his curriculum for review and one month later, he received a telephone interview. In August, he and his wife, Phyllis, visited the campus in San Luís Potosí, a branch about two hours north of Mexico City.

He has since signed a three-year contract with MIT.

Conaway said he is scheduled to teach three classes in the business department, related to marketing, research and international communication.

MIT officials also have asked Conaway to develop two “industry related projects” and help implement a professor exchange program.

“I’m really excited to teach these classes, develop the projects and work in Mexico,” Conaway said. MIT is situated on the outskirts of San Luís Potosí, which has a population of about 750,000.

The architecture of the buildings on campus is very modern. Conaway said there is “good, tight security” with “several armed guards” that patrol the campus and campus entrances.

Conaway said the climate in San Luís Potosí is very temperate, much like California, and the elevation at San Luís Potosí is higher than Denver.

He said the downtown area, called “el centro,” is a neat area where people gather for lunch or to just sit and enjoy the outdoors or watch live music at Plaza de Carmen or “el teatro.”

Conaway and his wife have two college-age sons who live in Texas and he said they are both “fully supportive” of his decision.

By Karli Tedford

Staff Writer