This current website remains the source for information on the LACUSL major, as well as certificates in Latinx Studies and Latin American and Caribbean Studies. Contact advisor Monica VanBladel (vanblade@uwm.edu) with any questions.

For upcoming events, and news about students and faculty connected to our academic programs, head to uwm.edu/clacs for all updates through early April 2026.

And stay tuned for details on our new combined website home, coming mid-April!

The post Upcoming Website Merge with Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

“Lathisms: Women Mathematicians in Latin America”

Monday, April 28th, 2025

3:00-4:00 PM

AGSL (51���� Libraries, 3^rd���ڱ��Ǵǰ�)
UW-Milwaukee

Dr. Pamela Harris
51���� Associate Professor of Mathematics

Latinxs and Hispanics make significant contributions to the mathematical sciences while navigating challenges related to representation, access, and community building. In this talk, I will highlight the importance of fostering collaborations and creating spaces that support the success and visibility of Latinx and Hispanic mathematicians. I will share examples of initiatives that strengthen professional networks, mentorship, and research partnerships, demonstrating the impact of collective efforts.

Join us to learn about the many topics you can study through the interdisciplinary��LACUSL major��at 51����.

The post LACUSL Speaker Series: Prof Pamela Harris appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

“Remembered in Our Prayers”: Colonial Mexico, Philanthropy, and Public History

Monday, March 31st, 2025

3:00-4:00 PM

AGSL (51���� Libraries, 3^rd���ڱ��Ǵǰ�)
UW-Milwaukee

Dr. Jessica Nelson
Visiting Assistant Professor of History, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

In colonial Oaxaca, Mexico, the spiritual and material economies were closely intertwined. Fundraising, sponsorships, and other obra pias (charitable works) covered the cost of endeavors like paying the dowries of orphaned girls, or constructing a convent for Indigenous women. Centuries later, not all of these projects have been remembered equally. Some made permanent changes to the urban landscape and are still discussed today; others have been essentially forgotten. This talk will explore the history of philanthropy in Mexico, the process of researching these projects, and contemporary public history of colonial events.

Join us to learn about the many topics you can study through the interdisciplinary��LACUSL major��at 51����.

The post LACUSL Speaker Series: Prof. Jessica Nelson appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

Critically Reflexive Racialization: Building Interracial Solidarity through Research Practices

Monday, February 24, 2025

3:00-4:00 PM

AGSL (51���� Libraries, 3^rd���ڱ��Ǵǰ�)
UW-Milwaukee

Dr. Anjana Mudambi
Assistant Professor of Communication, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

In this talk, I’ll share my framework of critically reflexive racialization (CRR) as a way for communities of color to explore and renegotiate our racialized identities in relation to other marginalized groups to build interracial solidarity with each other. I’ll recount my own experiences as a scholar of South Asian origin engaging in research across South Asian American, Latinx, and Black communities and discuss how CRR can help us move out of our racial/ethnic silos as scholars and build interracial solidarity through our research practices.

Join us to learn about the many topics you can study through the interdisciplinary LACUSL major at 51����.

The post LACUSL Speaker Series: Prof. Anjana Mudambi appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

This semester we are once again featuring 51���� faculty who teach in our interdisciplinary LACUSL major. Please save the date for these talks, which will highlight the diversity of 51���� research that advances our understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean.

All talks will take place on Mondays at 3:00 PM in the 51���� Libraries AGSL (3rd floor):

February 24, Professor Anjana Mudambi (51����, Communication)

Critically Reflexive Racialization: Building Interracial Solidarity through Research Practices

March 31, Professor Jessica Nelson (51����, History)

“Remembered in Our Prayers”: Colonial Mexico, Philanthropy, and Public History

April 28, Professor Pamela Harris (51����, Mathematical Sciences)

Lathisms: Women Mathematicians in Latin America

Check back on our website, newsletter, and social media for more details and talk descriptions as each event gets closer.

The post Spring 2025 LACUSL Speaker Series appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

Sophia is a former Foreign Language and Area Studies (FLAS) fellow who will be graduating with honors this December with her undergraduate degree. Sophia is triple majoring in French, Spanish, and LACUSL! She says that she was drawn towards her majors because of her love for diversity and wanting to bridge cultural gaps. During her time at 51����, Sophia believes that LACS 101 had the most impact on her academic journey because it allowed her to explore other perspectives. After graduation, she plans on pursuing the Master in Social Work program at 51���� and wants to become a therapist who works with marginalized communities or communities that lack access to therapy services because of language barriers.

Sophia’s says that her advice to younger students is, “Being a successful student is all about finding what works for you… whenever you figure out what works for you: stick to that!” she continues, “It’s really easy to get sucked into the cycle of doing schoolwork, going to work, back to school, and so on, but it’s so important to live your life in between. Make the best of every second because it may not seem like it, but your college years will go by SO fast.”

Graduation for Bachelor & Associate graduates will be held Sunday, December 15, 2024, at the 51���� Panther Arena.

Pictured: Sophia, image provided by Sophia

The post Fall 2024 Graduates appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

“The Grenada frog: Long term monitoring, mapping, outreach and conservation.”

Monday, November 18th, 2024

3-4 pm

AGSL (51���� Libraries, 3^rd���ڱ��Ǵǰ�)
UW-Milwaukee

Professor Emily Latch &��Billie Harrison

Biological Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee

The island of Grenada is home to only two endemic terrestrial vertebrates, the Grenada Dove (Leptotila wellsi) and the Grenada Frog (Pristimantis euphronides). Both are Critically Endangered (IUCN Red List). The Grenada Dove is featured on the national emblem and is considered to be a national treasure. By contrast, the Grenada Frog is virtually unknown. We worked with the IUCN in 2021 to assess the conservation status of all Lesser Antillean amphibians, where mapping and quantitative ecological analysis prompted a status update of the Grenada frog to “Red List, Critically Endangered”. This classification is warranted given extinction threats by habitat fragmentation significantly limiting dispersal and gene flow, reduced global footprint, threats from development, climate change, invasive species, and disease. Our ongoing work is focused on understanding these threats, through ecological and genetic studies, and on strategic and innovative outreach efforts to increase awareness for the Grenada frog and engage citizens to amplify the impacts of conservation actions. These are what shape the overall aims of our research project: 1) to assess species range, demography, and population connectivity for this endemic montane frog, 2) to understand the impact of the fungal disease chytridiomycosis, and 3) to increase awareness of this unique species through targeted, long-term education and outreach activities. We will present these initiatives and challenges along with some exciting new community and student engagement projects.

The post LACUSL Speaker Series: Professor Emily Latch & Billie Harrison appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

“Indigeneity and Writing: Rethinking Indigenismo in Early 20th Century Latin America”

Monday October 28th, 2024
3pm-4pm

AGSL (51���� Libraries, 3rd���ڱ��Ǵǰ�)
UW-Milwaukee

Jorge��Coronado
Professor of Latin American and Andean Literatures
Co-Director, Andean Cultures & Histories
Northwestern University��

In this talk, Professor��Coronado��reconsiders the scholarly frameworks within which we locate��indigenista��literature, arguably the broadest literary movement in the Latin American 20th century. His goal in doing so is to understand a separate body of lettered practices whose origins cannot be accounted for without considering the role of��indigenismo. These ‘other’ lettered practices are mostly, but not solely, created by indigenous peoples. As importantly, accounting for this body of literature involves articulating a notion of indigeneity that does not arise exclusively as an expression of an indigenous identity or culture, but rather as the product of collaborations and exchanges between indigenous and non-indigenous actors in a wide, or widened, discursive field.

The post LACUSL Speaker Series: Dr. Jorge Coronado appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

ePortfolio��Requirement��

what, why, when, and how!��

students in the LACS and Latinx Studies Certificates also welcome! ��

November 15, 2023 (4-6pm)��

Northwest Quadrant (NWQ) D 1885��

4-5:15pm:����ePortfolio��hands-on session (bring your laptop)

5:15-6pm:�� Food from��El Salvador��Restaurant

Please register in advance��HERE.

With the��ePortfolio��(or digital portfolio), you:

• Showcase your unique course of study
• Highlight your individual strengths
• Create a virtual space for a broad audience
• Reflect on your learning and growth through the major

The��ePortfolio��is the ‘wow factor’ that you can use upon graduation to communicate your learning with prospective employers. A recent article in the American Association of Colleges and Universities states that: “more than 4 in 5 employers say an electronic portfolio would be useful to them in ensuring that job applicants have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their company or organization.”

Organized by the 51���� Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.�� For more information:��jkline@uwm.edu

The post ePortfolios and Pupusas appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).

Northwest Quadrant (NWQ) D 1921��

4-5:15pm:����ePortfolio hands-on session (bring your laptop)��

5:15-6pm:����Food from��El Salvador��Restaurant��

Please register in advance��HERE.��

With the ePortfolio (or digital portfolio), you:��

• Showcase your unique course of study��
• Highlight your individual strengths��
• Create a virtual space for a broad audience��
• Reflect on your learning and growth through the major��
  
  The ePortfolio is the ‘wow factor’ that you can use upon graduation to communicate your learning with prospective employers. A recent article in the American Association of Colleges and Universities states that:��“more than 4 in 5 employers say an electronic portfolio would be useful to them in ensuring that job applicants have the knowledge and skills they need to succeed in their company or organization.”����
  
  
  ��Organized by the 51���� Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.����For more information:��jkline@uwm.edu

The post The LACUSL Major ePortfolio Requirement: What, Why, When, and How! appeared first on Latin American, Caribbean, & U.S. Latinx Studies (LACUSL).