Teaching Tuesday with David Mitre Becerril

October 10, 2023

Welcome to our second edition of #TeachingTuesday for the 2023-2024 academic year. This week we catch up with School of Public Policy (SPP) Professor David Mitre Becerril!

David Mitre Becerril

Question 1: Why did you decide to become a professor?
Universities are ever-evolving places where every year you have new students and the possibility to teach them topics you feel excited about. Also, faculty have cool jobs: you spend time researching, teaching, mentoring, and learning new topics while having very flexible schedules; it sounds like a great deal. Ultimately, what motivates me about being a professor is having a positive impact on students and paying forward all the mentorship and support I have received (and I am still receiving).

Question 2: What are your teaching interests?

Quantitative methods are foundational to my research, so I am excited to be the course instructor on using data, statistics, and econometric models to understand policy-relevant topics and provide evidence-based information to help decision-makers improve people’s lives. Also, my classes are very applied, so students learn in-demand skills that will help them in their professional careers.

Question 3: Why did you decide to come to UConn?

When deciding about the next step in my professional life, I had more than one option in my hands, and UConn was the best choice. It has amazing, supportive scholars, very engaged and committed students, and outstanding staff who made me feel welcome and confident that I have all the support and opportunities to excel on my research agenda while bringing value to the school so everyone is in a win-win situation.

Question 4: If you weren’t a professor what would you be instead and why?

Before graduate school, I worked at the Mexican census bureau’s public safety and justice unit and a government research agency. I enjoyed working there and having the opportunity to contribute to understanding our society better, so probably working at the government or a think-tank would have been my alternative path.

Question 5: What is your favorite thing about Hartford?

I am still new to Hartford, but one thing I have been finding fascinating is how close there are good places for hiking and spending time in nature. I look forward to discovering new things and activities in Hartford and its broader region.

Question 6: If you could travel to any location right now where would you like to go and why?

I enjoy traveling, so I have two places in my mind. One is Mexico, the country where I was born and raised. I try to go there at least once a year to spend time with my family and friends and enjoy its magnificent places, food, and traditions. The second place would be a new country I haven’t visited, like Peru, Iceland, Turkey, or Egypt. Countries with different cultures and traditions than mine. Fingers crossed, I will grab my backpack and camera, and travel internationally again soon.