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Professor Gabriela G. Corona Valencia joins the Department of Latina/Latino Studies at the University of Illinois

This fall, the Department of Latina/Latino Studies welcomes assistant professor Gabriela G. Corona Valencia. Professor Corona Valencia was previously a Chancellor's Postdoctoral Research Associate from 2023-2025. Her research interests include histories of eugenics, public health, medicine, reproductive justice politics, and education. Read a Q&A with her to learn more about her work. Read full story Professor Gabriela G. Corona Valencia joins the Department of Latina/Latino Studies at the University of Illinois
Latina/Latino studies professor elected to leadership positions with Latina/x/o Studies Association and Berkshire Conference of Women Historians

Professor Natalie Lira was recently elected to leadership positions within two professional associations, joining other Department of Latina/Latino Studies faculty who serve on professional associations in their fields. Read full story Latina/Latino studies professor elected to leadership positions with Latina/x/o Studies Association and Berkshire Conference of Women Historians
New Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Associates join the Department of Latina/Latino Studies

Saraí Blanco Martinez and Angie C. Bonilla joined the Department of Latina/Latino Studies this fall as the 2025-2026 Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Associates. Read full story New Chancellor’s Postdoctoral Research Associates join the Department of Latina/Latino Studies

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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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Intro Latina/Latino Studies

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

LLS 100

Race, Medicine, and Society

The idea of race has historically been central to how Western cultures conceptualize and think about human difference. This course examines the historical significance of race through one domain of knowledge: medicine.

LLS 479

Mexican-American History

Examination of the history of Mexican Americans living within the United States from the Spanish Conquest to the twentieth century. Explores the process of migration, settlement, assimilation, and discrimination with emphasis on continuity and change in Mexican cultural development.

LLS 279

Latina/o Popular Culture

Provides an introduction to Latina/o popular culture in the United States. Specific modes of popular culture might include mass media, music, film, video, performance, and other expressive forms.

LLS 240

Chicana/Latina Autobiography, Memoir, Testimonio

Focuses on how Chicanas/Latinas describe their own experiences and how they both understand and negotiate their sense of self, and centers on the new crop of memoir and autobiography, as represented in the most recent texts by well-established Chicana writers, such as Sandra Cisneros, Gloria Anzaldúa and Ana Castillo.

LLS 365

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Alumni spotlight: Angelica Sanchez ’15 – Garden Educator and Community Engagement Associate

The Latinx/a/o Studies Department, that I once knew was revolutionary at the minimum and the reason for that was their mighty tenderness and willingness to support students at the student's convenience. They (Alicia Rodriquez, dear Laura, Professor Sandra Ruiz, and Professor Lisa Cacho) deeply believed in our success by any means necessary. While organizing around Affordable Housing to working within the Cook County Forest Preserves, I have heard organizations speak to centering the most affected, but contrary to this belief many people/organizations misplace this understanding and struggle...

Faculty spotlight: Mirelsie Velázquez

Mirelsie Velázquez is an interdisciplinary scholar whose work centers history of education, women's history, Puerto Rican studies, gender and sexuality, and teacher education.