Miguel H. Díaz, United States Ambassador to the Holy See will soon be returning to the University of Dayton, where he earlier served as an assistant professor of religious studies from 1996-1998.

The university has announced Diaz will be the Professor of Faith and Culture and is expected to assume said role, Nov.16.

A prominent Catholic theologian, Díaz was the first Hispanic to represent the United States at the Vatican.

"As ambassador, I know first hand the role of American culture and leadership in international relations as well as the growing importance of religion on the world stage," he said in a phone interview from Rome.

"I look forward to building bridges between faith and culture, and to facilitating inclusive, scholarly and constructive conversations that advance the common good."

University of Dayton, a private Roman Catholic institution is focused on increasing its appeal to international population. Hence, Diaz's return to the university, is seen as an very important prospect.

"In addition, his experience at the level of international relations will help link the University to populations abroad. It's all part of a strategic effort to further diversify and internationalize our campus and to move the University to a position of leadership in global Catholic conversations," said Paul Benson, dean of the College of Arts and Sciences.

Before being named U.S. Ambassador to the Holy See, Díaz taught theology at the College of Saint Benedict in St. Joseph, Minn., and Saint John's University in Collegeville, Minn. He was a board member of the Catholic Theological Society of America and is former president of the Academy of Catholic Hispanic Theologians of the United States.

Besides the University of Dayton, he previously taught at Barry University, Saint Vincent de Paul Regional Seminary and University of Notre Dame.

"Miguel Díaz finds common ground in discourses that too often divide. He has been an influential Catholic leader in areas as far ranging as human trafficking to inter-religious dialogue," said Daniel J. Curran, president of the University of Dayton.

Born in Havana, Cuba, Díaz moved as a child to the United States. His wife Marian, also a theologian, has joined the University of Dayton's faculty as a lecturer. She is teaching courses in scripture.