Julian Nava facts for kids

Julian Nava (born June 19, 1927 – died July 29, 2022) was an important American teacher and diplomat. He was a member of the Democratic Party. From 1980 to 1981, Nava served as the United States Ambassador to Mexico. This means he was the main representative for the U.S. in Mexico.

Early Life and Education

Julian Nava was born in Los Angeles, California, in 1927. His parents were immigrants from Mexico. He grew up in East Los Angeles, which was a mostly Mexican-American neighborhood. He was one of eight children in his family.

In 1945, Nava joined the United States Navy Air Corps. He was proud to wear his Navy uniform at his high school graduation. After serving in the military, he went to East Los Angeles Community College. Later, he transferred to Pomona College, a well-known school.

Nava earned his first degree in history in 1951. He then went on to Harvard University. In 1955, he received his PhD in Latin American history.

Teaching and Public Service

After college, Julian Nava taught in several countries. He taught in Venezuela, Spain, Puerto Rico, and Colombia. In Colombia, he even started a university study center in Bogotá.

From 1957 to 2000, Nava was a history professor. He taught at California State University, Northridge (CSUN). He later became a Professor Emeritus, which means he was a respected retired professor.

In 1967, many community groups supported Nava. They nominated him to run for the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education. He became the first Mexican-American to serve on this important board. He was elected three times, serving from 1967 to 1979.

Ambassador and Later Career

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter chose Julian Nava for a big job. He was appointed the U.S. Ambassador to Mexico. This made him the first Mexican-American to hold this position.

In 1981, Whittier College gave Nava an honorary Doctor of Humane Letters degree. This was a special award for his achievements.

In 1992, he ran for mayor of Los Angeles. The next year, in 1993, Nava was a pallbearer at the funeral of Cesar Chavez. Chavez was a famous labor leader. Nava had worked with Chavez since after World War II.

Julian Nava also produced several documentary films. One film, "Song of the Basque," explored the history of the Basque people. He also co-directed "Voices of Cuba." More recently, he made a film about people moving between the U.S. and Mexico. It was called "Zacatecanos de ida y vuelta." Nava loved to travel and visited many countries.

Nava often gave talks about multicultural education. He also helped an organization called Encuentros. This group works to improve education for young Latino males.

In 2011, a school in Los Angeles was named after him. It was called the Dr. Julian Nava Learning Academy. In 2014, another school, the Nava College Preparatory Academy, was also named in his honor. In 2015, Nava wrote a historical novel. It was titled Taming the Chinese Dragon: Young Love in Changing Tibet.

Personal Life

Julian Nava passed away on July 29, 2022, at the age of 95. He was retired and lived in San Diego County with his wife, Patricia.

Legacy

Julian Nava's important papers and documents are kept in two places. One collection is at California State University, Northridge Library. Another collection is at UCLA. These papers help people learn about his life and work.

See also

In Spanish: Julian Nava para niños