UC San Diego Dean of International Relations Joins Obama Administration

Barry Jagoda | March 2, 2009

Peter Cowhey, Dean of the UC San Diego School of International Relations and Pacific Studies has been named to a senior position in the Obama administration's Office of the United States Trade Representative (USTR).

Peter Cowhey will serve in a senior position in the Obama administration.

During a one-year leave of absence from UCSD Cowhey will serve as Senior Counselor to the U.S. Trade Representative focusing on strategy and negotiations.

In making the announcement, UC San Diego Senior Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs Paul Drake, said, “It is an honor for Dean Cowhey and UCSD that Peter has been asked to serve in the Obama administration.  His presence in this key position will raise the national and international profile of UC San Diego.”

For his part, Cowhey said, "I look forward to working with the leadership team of USTR on crafting a trade policy that is innovative, ambitious and in keeping with the President's goals. Properly crafted, trade policy can broadly benefit the people of America and our trading partners."

Cowhey is a widely recognized trade expert, and a scholar in the field, with special experience in telecommunications policy.  His recently published book, titled “Transforming Global Information and Communication Markets,” focuses on telecommunications policy and information.

Professor  Takeo Hoshi will serve as Acting Dean of IR/PS during the first six months of Dean Cowhey's leave. As a senior faculty member, Professor Hoshi has played an integral role in the administration of IR/PS and previously served as Acting  Dean from August through December 2006. He is an outstanding scholar,  authority on the Japanese economy, and holds the Pacific Economic Cooperation  Chair in International Economic Relations.

For the second  half of Dean Cowhey's leave, Professor Peter Gourevitch will serve as Acting  Dean of IR/PS.  Professor Gourevitch was founding Dean of the School from  1986 to 1996. He is a political scientist specializing in international  relations and comparative politics. His current research focuses on political  economy with an emphasis on international trade and economic globalization,  corporate governance, and regulatory systems. An outstanding scholar, he was  elected in 1996 to the American Academy of Arts and  Sciences.