Mission Statement

The Trans-Border Institute (TBI) was created in 1994 with two main objectives: 1) to promote border-related scholarship, activities and community at the University of San Diego, and 2) to promote an active role for the University in the cross-border community. To realize these objectives, the Institute engages in a variety of programmatic activities and initiatives.

1) Promoting Border-Related Scholarship, Activities, and Community at USD

The Institute encourages USD faculty to develop border-related scholarship by providing research grants and connections to the border. TBI also helps to develop border-related activities and academic programming at USD to ensure that its faculty, staff, and students are attuned to the issues affecting the bi-national region.

2) Promoting USD’s outreach to the cross-border community in a manner consistent with its nature, mission and values

The Institute helps to link USD to the cross-border region by providing information and assistance to the policy-makers and communities of the U.S.-Mexican border. Consistent with the University’s mission and values, the TBI has a special interest in bringing attention to issues of social justice and equity including (but not limited to) socio-economic inequality, access to basic legal protections, basic health and quality of life, and community development.