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Latina/Latino Studies

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Latina/Latino Studies

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Latina/Latino Studies (LLS) is an interdisciplinary department devoted to the study of Latin American origin populations in the United States.

The Department of Latina/Latino Studies (LLS) at the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign is an interdisciplinary unit devoted to the study of Latin American origin populations in the United States. We offer small, intimate classes in which students can critically explore various facets of Latina/o social, political, and cultural life. LLS faculty—trained in diverse disciplines such as anthropology, sociology, history, media studies, literature, performance studies, public health, and ethnic studies—are excellent teachers and scholars deeply committed to working with undergraduates. Our goal is to provide students with the skills and knowledges they need to be active and successful participants in our multi-racial, multi-cultural democracy.

10/27/2026

Join us for an event in the LLS Speaker Series with Dr. Laura Chávez-Moreno (UCLA) about her new book "How Schools Make Race: Teaching Latinx Racialization in America."

November 5
4:00-5:30PM
Campus Instructional Facility, 2039

10/21/2026

In 1992, more than 450 people joined a 1992 protest demanding greater institutional support for Latina/o students.

Their activism helped create the Department of Latina/Latino Studies, which celebrates its 30th anniversary in 2026.

“The struggle for our people did not start here and will not end here,” wrote alumna and former student activist Mary Carmen Moreno in the September 1992 issue of La Casa's La Carta Informativa.

“Instead, we will continue to build the bridges and tear down the walls for our brothers and sisters who will follow. For, without these opportunities that our people build, we ourselves would not be here.”

This year, we honor and thank every student, faculty, and staff member who helped create our Department and the current and future members of our community who will shape its legacy for the generations to come.

Read a story in STORIED about our history featuring an interview with Mary Carmen Moreno at the link in the comments.

10/20/2026

Thanks so much to everyone who came out for our Reproductive Justice Symposium featuring Dr. Jallicia Jolly and Dr. Lina-Maria Murillo!

10/15/2026

🔶Internship spotlight 🔶

LLS Minor Carlos Hernandez spent his summer interning with Illinois Congressman Jesús “Chuy” García and volunteered at a children's shelter in Athens, Greece.

"I learned members of Congress are ordinary people, and if you want to influence legislation, you should contact their staffers, since they are the ones tasked with writing the bills. ... it solidified my desire to pursue a career in public policy."

Learn more in his blog post linked in the comments.

10/13/2026

Congratulations! 🎉

Professor Mirelsie Velázquez has been elected to leadership of the Puerto Rican Studies Association.

She'll serve as vice president from 2027-28, before serving as president in 2029-30. She currently serves on the executive committee of the association as an at-large representative.

Learn more at the link in the comments.

10/09/2026

Professor Mirelsie Velázquez writes in Latino News Network about the need to support Puerto Rican children's education in both Puerto Rico and the United States.

Read her op-ed "The Future of Puerto Rico: Consider Needs of the Children" at the link in the comments.

10/08/2026

Today! Join the Borders of Sanctuary Collective for their inaugural event "Black and Transgender Migrations and Visions of Sanctuary." Professor Willie Mack (University of Missouri) and Devin Lowe (Black Trans Travel Fund) will discuss current challenges for Black and Transgender migrants and what sanctuary looks like for these communities.

📅October 8
🕧 6:00-9:00 PM
📍Latzer Hall, University YMCA

More details at the link in the comments.

10/07/2026

Thank you so much to Dr. Jennifer R. Nájera for her talk "Learning to Lead: Undocumented Students Mobilizing Education!" And thank you to all of our attendees for coming out to the event!

10/07/2026

Today! Join us for a reproductive justice symposium: a space for conversation between leading scholars of reproduction and the campus community. Prof. Lina-Maria Murillo (University of Texas at Austin) and Prof. Jallicia Jolly (Amherst College) will discuss their new books.

📅 October 7
🕧 5:30-6:30 pm
📍 CIF 4025

More event details at the link in the comments.

10/06/2026

Congratulations! 🎉

Professors Isabel Molina-Guzmán and Angharad N. Valdivia have been awarded the Charles H. Woolbert Research Award from the National Communication Association for their article "Brain, Brow, and B***y: Latina Iconicity in U.S. Popular Culture."

Learn more at the link in the comments.

Address

1207 W Oregon Street, MC/136
Urbana, IL
61801

Opening Hours

Monday	9am - 5pm
Tuesday	9am - 5pm
Wednesday	9am - 5pm
Thursday	9am - 5pm
Friday	9am - 5pm

Telephone

+12172650370

Website

http://www.lls.illinois.edu/

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