El Ciudadano
Original article: Alejandra Mizala es elegida como nueva rectora de la U. de Chile para el periodo 2026-2030
Academic Alejandra Mizala Salces has been elected as the new rector of the University of Chile for the 2026-2030 term, securing 60.93% of the votes in a runoff election held on Tuesday, June 2.
In this election, Mizala defeated Professor Francisco Martínez, who garnered 39.07% of the votes. A total of 64.96% of the registered voters participated, amounting to 2,740 votes cast. Mizala received 1,353.375 votes, while Martínez received 877.875 votes.
After the results were announced, Mizala delivered a speech in which she acknowledged the «broad support with humility and responsibility, as I understand it to be a collective mandate to strengthen the University of Chile and project it into the future.»
«The vocation of the University of Chile has not only been to understand its time, but also to transform it, expanding rights, opening opportunities, and contributing to building a fairer, more democratic, and more humane country,» stated Professor Mizala.
«Strengthening the University of Chile also strengthens the country. Therefore, we will continue to enhance creation, research, and innovation, reaffirming our commitment to the defense of public education as an unrenounceable conviction, along with democracy, human rights, and a university prepared for today and tomorrow’s challenges,» added the newly elected rector.
Extensive Experience
Alejandra Mizala Salces holds a degree in economics from the University of Chile and a Ph.D. in Economics from the University of California, Berkeley. She serves as a Full Professor at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences, boasting over 37 years of academic experience in teaching, research, institutional management, and public policy design, with a sustained commitment to equity and the strengthening of public education.
She was the Pro-Rector of the University of Chile from 2022 to 2026, leading a management focused on academic quality, collaborative work, and institutional modernization. During this time, she contributed to enhancing institutional self-assessment, updating the academic grading system, advancing digital transformation, and implementing strategic heritage protection projects.
Additionally, she led the Institutional Accreditation process, which culminated in an excellence accreditation valid for seven years (2025–2032).
Her research focuses on the economics of education, quality, equity, and gender gaps in STEM fields. She has led numerous projects, advised international organizations, and served on advisory committees and councils in education, labor, pensions, and gender.
Moreover, she has founded and directed academic units such as the CEA, the MGPP, the CIAE, and the Institute of Advanced Studies in Education.
31 Rectors in the University’s History
The University of Chile elects its highest authority every four years, and since 1843 – when Andrés Bello became the first Rector – 31 academics have occupied the position.
Five statutes have, among other institutional norms, governed the election of the highest authority.
Following the end of the dictatorship and the return to democracy, Jaime Lavados became the first democratically elected rector, restoring the vote to the University’s academics and starting a journey that included rectors such as Lavados (1990-1998), Luis Riveros (1998-2006), Víctor Pérez (2006-2014), Ennio Vivaldi (2014-2022), and Rosa Devés (2022-2026), who was the first woman in history to serve as rector of the Casa de Bello.
From the Casa de Bello, it was noted that this election marked the first time in history that electronic voting was utilized, a process praised for its speed and security.
El Ciudadano
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