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Borders of Sanctuary Collective launches speaker series with Center for Advanced Study

An interdisciplinary group of faculty members, including faculty from the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, have received a grant from the Center for Advanced Study at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign to study sanctuary spaces and borderlands. Their first event is on October 8. Read full story
Professor Mirelsie Velázquez awarded OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship

Mirelsie Velázquez, associate chair and associate professor of Latina/Latino studies, has been selected for the 2026-2027 OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship. Read full story
LLS Graduate Minor Spotlight: Gerson Morales

Gerson Morales is a PhD candidate in the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, and a graduate minor in Latina/Latino studies. Read a Q&A with Morales to learn more about his research. Read full story

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Why Study Latina/Latino Studies?

Professor Mirelsie Velázquez shares the value of the major, favorite spots in Champaign-Urbana, and why the Latina/Latino studies department is the best kept secret on campus in an interview with the College of LAS.

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Highlighted Courses

Intro Latina/Latino Studies

Interdisciplinary introduction to the basis for a Latina/Latino ethnicity in the United States.

LLS 100

Latina/os on the Bronze Screen

Critical, historical, and theoretical exploration of Latina/o representations in U.S. film from the 1900s to the present. Examination of cinematic representations as well as the social, political, and cultural context in which those representations are produced.

LLS 250

Latinas/os & Public Policy

Examines the effectiveness of current U.S. public policies in addressing the social, economic, and political problems affecting Latina/o individuals and communities. Specifically, it evaluates current policy in the areas of public assistance, fair housing, criminal justice, immigration enforcement, and reproductive health.

LLS 368

Race, Medicine, and Society

Examine the historical significance of race through medicine. Specifically, it will be concerned with "race" as a central category in the medical construction and management of individuals and populations. Case studies might focus on colonial medicine, race and public health, sexuality and reproduction, global health disparities, and genetics and genomics.

LLS 479

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Alumni Spotlight

Yesenia Olvera, '14, Director of Postsecondary Success at Benito Juarez Community Academy

Meet Yesenia Olvera (BA, '14, Latina/Latino studies and history) the director of postsecondary success at Benito Juarez Community Academy. She was a first generation graduate who has dedicated her career to helping students and their families navigate their career paths after high school.

Faculty Spotlight

Elena Guzman

Elena Guzman is an Afro-Boricua documentary filmmaker, educator, and anthropologist. She is currently writing her book manuscript tentatively titled, "Chimera Geographies: Spiritual Borderland Performances of the Afro-Caribbean," which focuses on the way Black women and non-binary people throughout the African diaspora use ritual performance in African diaspora religions.

Department of Latina/Latino Studies