Ronald E. Ahnen

Ronald E. Ahnen is a Professor in the Politics Department at Saint Mary's College of California, School of Liberal Arts. He teaches courses in comparative politics, international relations, and Global and Regional Studies, with a focus on Latin American politics, particularly Brazilian politics where he lived for six years.

His educational background includes a PhD in Political Science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (1999), an MS in Political Science from the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (1992), and a BS in German and Education from the same institution (1986).

Professor Ahnen's research interests span several interconnected areas:

• Human Rights and Democracy: Focusing on democratization processes in Latin America, particularly in Nicaragua, Colombia, and Brazil, with emphasis on defending human rights under the rule of law in recently democratized regimes
• Microcredit Policy in Latin America: Examining the politics of microcredit policies in Argentina, Brazil, and Costa Rica, investigating how political interests shape policy implementation
• Prison Politics: Teaching courses on human rights and imprisonment, working with California Prison Focus for seven years, and serving on the prisoners' Mediation Team during California's historic hunger strikes in 2011 and 2013

His scholarly work shows consistent engagement with Latin American politics, human rights issues, and policy implementation challenges. Recent publications focus on microcredit programs in Brazil and Costa Rica, as well as commentary on contemporary political issues like the California death penalty moratorium and Venezuela unrest.

Professor Ahnen has received recognition for his community engagement, including the CILSA Community Engagement Award in 2013. He has held leadership positions including President of the Board for California Prison Focus (2007-2015) and membership in the American Association of University Professors (AAUP) SMC Chapter.

He maintains active involvement in both academic and community spheres, bringing his expertise on Latin American politics and human rights to public discourse through media appearances and direct engagement with criminal justice reform efforts in California.