University of the Cloister of Sor Juana

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The University of the Cloister of Sor Juana, also known as Universidad del Claustro de Sor Juana, is a private university in the historic center of Mexico City. It is housed in the old San Jerónimo Convent, a building famous for being the home of Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, where she wrote many of her works.

History in brief
The cloister dates back to 1585 and was formed from two private houses that were joined and expanded. It became a convent of Saint Jerome, housing nuns and a church built in Renaissance style with a simple Baroque tower. Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz lived there for more than 27 years. The convent closed in 1867 under Reform Laws, and the building served various purposes over the years, including a camp and military hospital. In the 20th century parts of the complex were used for other activities as well.

In 1975 a group urged the government to expropriate the building to preserve it. From 1976 to 1982 experts studied and restored the site. Today the university oversees the complex, which is a National Heritage Site and appears on the back of a 200-peso bill. The church itself stayed in state hands after reforms, and the university keeps the rest of the property as long as it remains an educational and cultural center.

What the university offers
Founded in 1979 on this site, the university started with bachelor’s programs in Human Sciences and today offers eight fields of study: Art, Audiovisual Communication, Study and Promotion of Culture, Philosophy, Gastronomy, Humanities, Creative Writing and Literature, and Psychology. It also offers two master’s degrees—Mexico Colonial Culture and Food and Beverage Business Administration—and two certificates—in Food and Beverage Business Administration and Theatrical Production. About 75–80% of graduates find work in their field, with gastronomy being the most successful program.

Campus and collections
The campus blends colonial and modern architecture. In 2003, the Regina campus near the original site was added. The library, Centro de Documentación Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz, holds many works about Sor Juana and her life, including first editions. The university also hosts the Pier Paolo Pasolini Peace Center and the Museo de la Indumentaria Mexicana “Luis Márquez Romay,” which showcases traditional Mexican clothing.

Cultural life and community work
Many spaces at the former church and cloister are used for art and cultural exhibits and concerts. The university runs outreach programs such as literacy classes for about 10,000 people in the city center and free psychological counseling for domestic violence and drug addiction. It supports the revitalization of the historic center through cultural activities and collaboration with other institutions, including a partnership with UNAM for teaching, research, and cultural events.

Traditions and public programs
Every year students create a large Day of the Dead altar in the historic center, a project that brings together students, teachers, artists, and neighbors. The university’s Chorus, formed in 2005, performs rarely heard works and collaborates with other institutions. It also participates in projects that promote Mexican culinary traditions, such as the Festival de México, which includes contests about the history and preparation of foods.

Overall, Sor Juana’s life and work inspire the university’s mission: to educate people and promote culture, heritage, and community involvement in Mexico City’s historic center.