News
A cup of kindness
January 4, 2022
UC Santa Cruz student Tommy Alejandrez was living on the streets when he met former NFL player Zack Follett on a busy corner in Fresno. The meeting—over a cup of coffee—sparked a friendship that would change both of their lives.
LALS student Tommy Alejandrez featured in FoxSports profile
November 29, 2021
Tommy Alejandrez's journey to studying Latin American and Latino Studies and Sociology at UCSC, and how a former NFL linebacker helped him get here.
Human Rights Investigations Lab alumni putting their skills to work
October 13, 2021
Four recent UCSC graduates are working for Washington, D.C.–based Media Matters for America (MMFA), a progressive nonprofit organization, checking false claims and fighting fake news in a high-profile setting.
Doctoral student analyzing Brazilian psychedelic religion of Santo Daime
October 7, 2021
Ana Flecha, PhD student in the Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Department at UC Santa Cruz, analyzes the Brazilian “psychedelic religion” of the Santo Daime through the interdisciplinary perspective of dance studies
Graduate student studying New Orleans' Latin American connections
September 30, 2021
Rafael Delgadillo, a UC Santa Cruz doctoral student in Latin American and Latino Studies, is looking at how New Orleans' colonial foundations set a tone for its distinctiveness within the United States.
LALS Professor Fernando Leiva contributes to article on California's "Lithium Valley"
September 27, 2021
In search of ‘Lithium Valley’: why energy companies see riches in the California desert
Mellon Foundation grant will support national initiative in Latinx studies
September 24, 2021
Through a three-year, $5 million grant from The Andrew W. Mellon Foundation, UC Santa Cruz will be part of a national initiative in Latinx studies called “Crossing Latinidades: Emerging Scholars and New Comparative Directions.”
The writing on the wall: exploring the cultural value of graffiti and street art
September 14, 2021
Doctoral candidate’s research interprets graffiti’s deeper meaning among Latinx and Black urban subcultures in Los Angeles.
UCSC wins funding for new programs to support underrepresented doctoral students
September 14, 2021
Grants from the UC Hispanic Serving Institutions Doctoral Diversity Initiative will prepare students for faculty careers in biomedical sciences and Latin American and Latino Studies.
Doctoral candidate’s award-winning research documents experiences of Latina girls growing up in rural California
August 9, 2021
UC Santa Cruz graduate student Roxanna Villalobos recently won a national dissertation scholarship award from Sociologists for Women in Society that will support her research with Latina girls in rural California.
‘Precarity & Belonging’ captures insights from global discussion of citizenship, migration, socioeconomic mobility
July 13, 2021
A new book from an interdisciplinary group of UC Santa Cruz scholars culminates more than five years of collaborative research and discussion that positioned the university as a convener of global thought leaders.
Sharon Valle Rodriguez
June 7, 2021
When she started at UCSC, Sharon Valle Rodriguez was unsure about everything. But she learned to be independent and emotionally intelligent. "Now I believe in myself and know I can achieve my goals," she said.
Montserrat Lopez
June 7, 2021
Montserrat Lopez dedicated her college career to art, outreach, activism, and giving back to the communities that have sustained her. With her far-ranging goals and ambitious course of study, Lopez had not a minute to lose when she transferred to UC Santa Cruz last year.
Montserrat Lopez, LALS Lead Peer Advisor, wins Weiss Family Scholarship
June 3, 2021
Profile of LALS Lead Peer Advisor Montserrat Lopez
Social Sciences Division celebrates outstanding students
June 2, 2021
The Social Sciences Division is recognizing 21 students for excellence in scholarship and research.
Audio: Catherine Ramírez on Missions, Monuments, Sites of Memory & Sites of Dispute
May 10, 2021
In this episode of The Cutting Edge, hear Professor of Latin American and Latino Studies Catherine Ramírez discuss her personal and academic reflections on Latinx contributions to conversations about monuments in the U.S., with a particular focus on Missions in California.
LALS Professor Catherine Ramírez on the Paradox of Assimilation
May 7, 2021
"Ramírez argues that we misunderstand assimilation when we narrate it as a story of adaptation and integration rather than a story of racial boundary drawing and exclusion."
Fellowship win supports doctoral candidate’s research on national security policy
April 29, 2021
Cesar Estrella, a Ph.D. candidate in Latin American and Latino studies, won an American Council of Learned Societies fellowship to support his study of the ideologies that drive U.S. national security policy.
UC Santa Cruz and United Way partner to empower youth through research in local communities
April 21, 2021
A research partnership between UC Santa Cruz and United Way of Santa Cruz County will offer local youth and UCSC undergraduates new leadership platforms and support college-readiness and success.
LALS Graduate Student Co-Curates "CARAVANA" Exhibit
March 11, 2021
Josué Rojas, Fátima Ramírez, and LALS PhD Candidate Mauricio Ramírez curate "CARAVANA: Mobilizing Central American Art (1984-Present)"
Professor Catherine Ramírez Talks: Pachucas, Latinx Futurisms, Assimilation & Precarity
March 4, 2021
Professor Ramírez shares her inspirational journey, breaking away from home in LA to attend UC Berkeley as a first-gen Latina
LALS Professor Catherine Ramírez asks U.S. to do more for its essential caregivers
January 26, 2021
"Older Americans receive generous benefits, but the immigrants who support them receive little from the government."
Essential and Excluded: The Paradox of Assimilation in the United States
November 13, 2020
"Rather than ask, Who contributes to society, we can begin by asking, Who’s expected to contribute? Whose contribution is deemed valuable or legitimate? And whose contribution is essential?"
LALS Professor Catherine Ramírez featured on NPR's Science Friday Book Club
October 19, 2020
How a Story About the Past Can Still be Science Fiction: "Conjuring an Alternate History of Colonization"
LALS Staff and Faculty Honored by Division of Social Sciences
October 9, 2020
LALS Graduate Program Coordinator Lorato Anderson Receives Outstanding Staff Achievement Award; Dr. Sylvanna Falcón Receives Golden Apple Award for Outstanding Teaching
Why We Need to Build Toward a Latinx Future
October 7, 2020
LALS Professor Catherine Ramírez Thinks Hispanic Heritage Month Should Not Just Celebrate the Past, but also Look to the Present and Future
Escuchar, Compartir, Communidad: The power of voice
March 1, 2019
A unique partnership trains young people from Watsonville in the broadcasting basics and helps them publish their podcasts
Adrian Félix interviewed by NBC
May 23, 2018
Assistant Professor Adrián Félix , "an expert on Politics of Mexico", on Mexican Presidential elections for NBC news.
Undergraduate Eric Medina wins $15,000 Strauss Scholarship to reinvigorate Oakes Garden
May 01, 2018
Eric Medina, a fourth year at UC Santa Cruz double majoring in ecology and evolutionary biology and Latin American and Latino studies, has received a $15,000 public service scholarship to reinvigorate the garden at Oakes College.
LALS Graduate Student Mauricio Ramirez
March 27, 2018
Mauricio Ramirez was featured on UCSC magazine for his work about public murals in San Francisco. “Public murals give a voice to the community, and in this sense, the community reclaims its public space.”
Professor Patricia Pinho on Voces Críticas
March 1, 2018
Associate Professor Patricia Pinho was interviewed by Sylvanna Falcón's popular show Voces Críticas, KZSC, about Brazil's current Political State of Affairs
Latin American and Latino studies professor Adrian Felix interviewed in Reuters
February 13, 2018
LALS professor Adrian Felix was interviewed for a story in Reuters about the institutional issues Mexicans voting from abroad–especially in the U.S.–must deal with to cast their ballot.
Latin American and Latino studies professor Adrian Felix interviewed in Reuters
January 19, 2018
LALS professor Adrian Felix was interviewed for a story in Reuters about the institutional issues Mexicans voting from abroad–especially in the U.S.–must deal with to cast their ballot.
Now Hiring: South Migration Professor
December 5, 2017
The Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Department at the University of California, Santa Cruz invites applications for a Professor (all levels) position focused on migration within the Global South.
American Anthropological Association to honor LALS Professor Patricia Zavella
November 21, 2017
The American Anthropological Association to honor the work of Latin American and Latino Studies professor Patricia Zavella at upcoming event
UCSC students co-author post in The Washington Post's political blog
October 02, 2017
Undergraduate Jennifer Bejar and Ph.D. candidate Michael Wilson Becerril coauthored an opinion column about record violence in Mexico that was published on the Washington Post's Monkey Cage blog.
LALS grad student Juan Davila covers Trump's visit to Puerto Rico for Democracy Now
September 29, 2017
LALS professor Fernando Leiva will discuss Enrique’s Journey on November 5
September 27, 2017
On Sunday, November 5, Bookshop Santa Cruz will host a Community Read discussion led by Fernando Leiva, Associate Professor from the Latin American and Latino Studies Department, UCSC.
LALS statement in support of all undocumented students and families, including DREAMers/DACAmented/DACA recipients, and migrants
September 5, 2017
Tuning in to social justice
August 09, 2017
Professor turned radio show producer Sylvanna Falcón talks about the importance of public scholarship in the Trump era.
In memoriam: Dr. Walter "Wally" Goldfrank
July 20, 2017
In Their Words: Socorro Ramírez-Gamiño
June 15, 2017
Congratulations to Socorro Ramírez-Gamiño for receiving the 2017 Walsh Family Scholarship.
In Their Words: Eric Medina
June 15, 2017
Congratulations to Eric Medina for receiving the 2017 Walsh Family Scholarship.
Research Roundup: Winter 2017 Issue
April 04, 2017
Some of the diverse topics covered by faculty in the Social Sciences Division in Winter 2017 include predicting college success, models for sustainable development, the psychological impact of President Donald Trump, his proposed military budget, and more.
Ruben Espinoza and Andres Arias featured in KION news
February 24, 2017
Ruben Espinoza and Andres Arias, student researchers working with Steve McKay, associate professor of sociology at UC Santa Cruz, were featured in KION news.
A statement from the Latin American and Latino Studies department against sexual violence
February 1, 2017
The faculty and staff of Latin American & Latino Studies unequivocally condemn sexual harassment and sexual violence.
Teach-in strengthens solidarity, activism
January 20, 2017
UC Santa Cruz faculty, students, staff, and community partners gathered at a campus-wide teach-in as part of a nationwide day of democratic education and action on Jan. 18.
Sylvanna Falcon featured in KSBW 8 news
January 18, 2017
Falcon discusses the Jan. 18 teach-in and other upcoming demonstrations happening in response to presidential inauguration on Friday.
Peggy Estrada featured in Education Week
November 16, 2016
A statement from the Latin American and Latino Studies department about the 2016 election results
November 9, 2016
In Their Words: Mireya Mateo
June 6, 2016
Mireya Mateo, a double major in the division's LALS and Anthropology Departments received the Dean’s and Chancellor’s awards for her research project titled “Untold Delivery Stories: Zapotec Women's Birthing Experiences in the Central Valley of Oaxaca.”
Student success, scholarship and social justice celebrated at Social Sciences Division annual awards ceremony
June 01, 2016
Research Roundup: Winter 2016 Issue
March 24, 2016
From biodiversity in California to power relations in Tanzania, faculty and researchers in the Division of Social Sciences published a wide range of issues and ideas in winter quarter.
Crossing borders
March 17, 2016
At UC Santa Cruz, the Latin American and Latino Studies Department is breaking boundaries and creating thought leaders
Arturo Arias: Indigeneities Resurgent: New/Old Ways of Knowing in Mesoamerican Indigenous Narratives
February 21, 2016
Arturo Arias: Indigeneities Resurgent: New/Old Ways of Knowing in Mesoamerican Indigenous Narratives
SJMA: Border Cantos
February 19, 2016
Border Cantos show, at the San Jose Museum of Art,from Feb 26 to July 31, 2016.
Viviana MacManus: "Ghosts of Another Era"
February 1, 2016
Viviana MacManus: "Ghosts of Another Era": Gender, Haunting and the Legacy of Women's Armed Resistance in Latin America, Thursday, February 25, 2016, 10:00am-12:00pm, Charles E. Merrill Lounge
Cuerpos a la Deriva
April 11, 2015
En esta presentación, Alberto Abreu Arce, ganador del Premio Casa de las Américas, ofrece una cartografía de lo que, sin lugar a dudas, constituyen dos de los debates intelectuales más candentes en la sociedad cubana de los últimos años: las nuevas dinámicas e imaginarios de la racialidad negra y del movimiento LGBTI. Esta charla se llevará a cabo en español el jueves, el 23 de abril, a las 5.00pm, en el Charles E. Merrill Lounge. March 10, 2015 By Lourdes Martínez-Echazábal, Chair, Latin American & Latino Studies
"Losing Sonia Sotomayor: On the Political Limits of Representative Latinidad"
February 20, 2015
This talk by Lázaro Lima explores the limits of Latino representative personhood at an historical juncture that exalts “possibility models” over legally mandated inclusion, “positive affirmation” over “affirmative action,” and what we stand to lose when we confuse symbolic inclusion with political enfranchisement and political power.
LALS UC President's Postodoctoral Symposium 2015
January 1, 2015
LALS 2015 UC President's Postoctoral Symposium 2015 begins this January 14th
Arlene Davila speaks at LALS' PhD Program Launch
November 7, 2014
Arlene Davila, Professor of Anthropology, Social and Cultural Analysis, at New York University recently delivered the first lecture in the Latin American and Latino Studies (LALS) Distinguished Lecture Series. “Locating Neoliberalism in Time, Space and Latino/Latin America”
American Studies Association honors UCSC Professor Rosa Linda Fregoso
October 31, 2014
American Studies Association honors UCSC Latin American and Latino Studies Professor Rosa Linda Fregoso
Professor Rosa-Linda Fregoso Awarded Angela Y. Davis Prize
October 30, 2014
Latin American and Latino Studies Professor Rosa-Linda Fregoso is the 2014 Angela Y. Davis Prize Winner
LALS 14-15 Distinguished Speaker Series
September 26, 2014
Arlene Davila is opens 2014-2015 LALS-CLRC Dinstinguished Speaker Series
Peggy Estrada 1.6 million 4 year research project
September 1, 2014
LALS Researcher Peggy Estrada was featured on Stanford University Graduate School of Education’s Digital Initiatives Newsletter
LALS Assistant Professor Adrian Félix on CCREC
June 30, 2014
Adrian Félix was featured in the Center for Collaborative Research for an Equitable California Newsletter
LALS students receive Deans' and Chancellor's Awards 2014
June 15, 2014
LALS students Nicholas Bendinelli and Kimberly Pistilli are amongst the 2014 Deans' and Chancellor's 2014 Award recipients!
Xochitl Chavez: UC President's Postdoctoral Fellow for 2014
May 1, 2014
LALS Designated Emphasis student Dr. Xochitl Chávez has been selected as a University of California President's Postdoctoral Fellow for 2014!
Cecilia Menjívar: "The Reconfiguration of Immigrant Latino Families in Light of the Current Immigration Regime"
April 29, 2014
Don't miss this great event. More info on the link below.
Catherine Ramirez: Bridging the Gap Between UCSC and Downtown
March 7, 2014
Latin American and Latino Studies Associate Professor and Chicano Latino Reearch Center Director Catherine Ramirez will be speaking at the Nickelodeon Theater Downtown Santa Cruz.
Prof. Arredondo appointed to the (OAH) Distinguished Lectureship Program
February 20, 2014
Sandra Alvarez - Assistant Professor at Chapman University
February 14, 2014
LALS Designated Emphasis student accepted a tenure-track position
Professor Rosa-Linda Fregoso "Stice Feminist Scholar of Justice"
February 14, 2014
Latin American and Latino Studies Professor Rosa-Linda Fregoso will speak at the University of Washington
LALS Professor Patricia Zavella at Research Frontiers Day
October 28, 2013
Maestra - A Documentary by Catherine Murphy
October 1, 2013
Cuba, 1961: 250,000 volunteers taught 700,000 people to read and write in one year. 100,000 of the teachers were under 18 years old. Over half were women. Maestra explores this amazing story.
Terry Freitas Café honors memory of inspirational young alumnus
October 05, 2012
Café Revolucion has been rededicated as the Terry Freitas Café, commemorating a UCSC grad who died while in service to an indigenous people.
In Memoriam: Memorial service for Eugene Cota-Robles, October 7
October 05, 2012
A memorial service for former Crown College provost Eugene Cota-Robles has been scheduled for Sunday, October 7, at 1:30 p.m. at the Crown-Merrill Cultural Center.
Online Voter Registration at UCSC - Students
October 01, 2012
Register before the deadline (October 22) and vote on November 6th.
