Dr. Charles Cotrell is a former political science professor and President of St. Mary’s University (1999-2012). Dr. Cotrell began his career with St. Mary’s as a student in the 1960s and witnessed the social and political transformation of San Antonio’s Westside during the Chicano Movement. Dr. Cotrell was no bystander, however. Cotrell played a significant role in the establishment of the Mexican American Youth Organization (MAYO), a Chicano activist youth group who advocated for better education and public services in the Westside throughout the late 1960s. In 1968, the leaders of MAYO transitioned their direct activism into nonprofit work through the establishment of the Mexican American Unity Council. Cotrell assisted these Chicano activists in that transition and served as one of the first board members of the organization. 

Interview Summary

In this interview, Dr. Cotrell reflects on his time with the founding members of MAYO at St. Mary’s University, and the overall political and demographic makeup of campus in the Civil Rights era. Cotrell shares his experience on the MAUC board and the development of MAUC as a powerful social and economic institution. Throughout this interview, Dr. Cotrell also talks about other Latino leaders who attended St. Mary’s University and how those individuals also challenged the status quo.     

Key Terms

St. Mary’s, Latino, Mexican American, students, San Antonio, charter members, South Texas, MAUC, campus, southwest

Date: August 31, 2020

Interviewers: Dr. Gerald Poyo, Edgar Velasquez Reynald, and Victoria Villaseñor