Become a leader in your community
Community Resources
We've put together a list of campus, local, and national resources on harassment and discrimination, immigration, and wellness to support our community.
- Congrats to the class of 2026! Read full story Congratulations to our 2026 graduates and award winners
- Professor José A. de la Garza Valenzuela looks at the experiences of queer migrants, and at how immigration practices shape particular fictions about them, in his new book “Queer in a Legal Sense: Brown Citizenship and Other Lawful Fictions.” Read full story Professor José A. de la Garza Valenzuela's book shows how ‘lawful fictions’ are used to manage immigration, citizenship
- Professor Natalie Lira was awarded the Humanities Research Lab Award by the Humanities Research Institute and Office of Undergraduate Research to transform the course LLS 100: Introduction to Latina/o Studies into a local community-based research experience. Read full story Professor Natalie Lira receives Humanities Research Lab Award from HRI and OUR
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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.
Follow the Department of Latina/Latino Studies on social media for updates, photos, and more!
Upcoming events
Alumni spotlight: Mayra Diaz, ’17 – Policy Analyst, Health & Medicine Policy Research Group
Without a doubt, I credit who I am as a leader and professional in large part to my undergraduate education in Latina/Latino Studies. As a Policy Analyst at Health & Medicine Policy Research Group with master’s degrees in social work and public health, I research and advocate for policies that prevent and mitigate the systemic root causes of trauma and Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs) in Illinois. My LLS background has been indispensable throughout my graduate education and now in my current role. Learning about topics such as Critical Race Theory and the impact of U.S. policy on...
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.