Arizona State University’s Morrison Institute for Public Policy has launched a center that will focus on increasing the state’s understanding of Latino issues.

The university says the Morrison Institute Latino Public Policy Center’s mission isn’t advocacy, but rather to provide a place where groups, business leaders, educators and others can exchange thoughts about the issues.

Joseph Garcia will serve as the center’s first director.

The center’s first study examines how growth in the number of Latinos voters is changing Arizona’s political landscape.