Center for Latino/a & Latin American Studies

Alai Reyes-Santos is a Professor of Practice at the School of Law here at the University of Oregon. She is also a Faculty Research Grant Awardee for CLLAS of 2024! Borifuturos Campesinos is a project that initially started as an idea by an international group of Cidreñes, organized by the Puerto Rico Emergency Response Team (AREPR). Alai plays an important role in documenting community self-determination projects in the neighborhoods of Ciara to create spaces for community support. These projects face resistance from government agencies that don't allow them to have access to the spaces they have revitalized.

Borifuturos Campesinos will exist as a digital exhibition where they will follow the neighborhoods of Cidra and establish narratives, digitalized archives & oral histories which will function as an educational tool to advocate for local initiatives & obtain resources human and monetary for them. The exhibit will be publicly launched in the Spring of 2026, along with the book.

CLLAS presents one of the outstanding faculty projects that received the CLLAS faculty research grant of 2024, Necroarchivos de las Americas– An Unrelenting Search for Justice. This is a collaborative project between Gabriela Martínez, Lynn, Stephen, and Adriana Miramontes Olivas. This project highlights the central focus of how people have responded to those who have 'disappeared,' from the Americas as well as the long history of state condoned terror that occurred from the 60's to the 90's. The people who have disappeared were often intellectuals, artists and activists that were kidnapped, tortured, exiled, and in numerous occasions murdered for their fight for human rights. Leading the fight for democracy and opposing dictatorial regimes, the victims of those who have gone missing have picked up the mantle to share their stories and persist against the current state of the War on Drugs, femicide, and continued presence of dictators. Neroarchivos throughly examines and denounces the stated issues as well as the continued disappearances through their sponsored works of art, as well as the artists who continue to tell their stories. This exhibition also includes the artists statements and commentary for their individual works.

This project aims to understand how Mexican cuisine has shaped, and has been shaped by the stories people have told about their gender, race, sexual and class identities particularly at different historical junctures in the Industrial Revolutionary Parties 71 year rule from 1929-2000. Food is a form of cultural, political and environmental resistance to hegemonic forces. It can also offer a counternarrative to oppressive power structures that challenge the status quo. This research highlights the invisible voices through the close reading and analysis of specific ingredients, methods of preparation and presentation of Mexico’s best dishes through the examination of appropriation, de-indigenization, and the ethics of cultural ownership. Salma is a current PhD student studying Romance Languages and Folklore, and hopes with this research to challenge what is considered as ‘traditional,’ as well as ‘traditional’ in the context of cultural practices regarding food.

Throwback to our unforgettable Undergrad Awards Ceremony & Latinx Studies Mixer in May! We celebrated the outstanding achievements of UO undergrad students whose projects showcased the richness of Latinx and Latino/a studies, covering topics like healthcare, art, film, sociology, technology, and more. Thanks to everyone who joined us for an afternoon of delicious food, live music, and community. Stay tuned for more highlights from these talented awardees' projects!

This project explores how Mayan women in diaspora, a population largely made out of workers and community members that are invisible towards the public eye, actively rebuild their intersectional identities and reconstruct communities within Oregon. These efforts are framed within the context of multigenerational trauma and expulsion linked to internal conflict in Guatemala from 1960 to 1996. This also includes parallel topics regarding poverty, insecurity and violence generated by organized crime. Regarding the extensive networks of Mayan women residing Corvallis and Newport, it is also important to note that this project will illuminate how gendered memory and identity constructions move across borders, generations, and can be re-embedded in new contexts. Liesl is also involved in a secondary project dedicated to documenting the languages, community presence and knowledgeable contributions of Indigenous people in diaspora in Oregon from Mexico & Guatemala.

Liesl Cohn De Leon is a current PhD student studying cultural anthropology from the University of Oregon with a highly accredited record of academic accomplishments. Born and raised in Guatemala, Liesl Cohn De Leon attended the top public university, University of San Carlos, within Guatemala and still currently holds a teaching position. Liesl also went on to complete two recent masters degrees from Oregon State University on a Fulbright Fellowship. During her masters thesis, Liesl built an amazing network with Mayan women as well as an organization that works with Indigenous Mayan people within Oregon- she also is fluent in spanish and is highly knowledgeable of several Mayan languages.

Meet Anna, the new Social Media Assistant at CLLAS. As a junior at the University of Oregon majoring in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing and double minoring in Media Studies and Commerce and Society. Originally from Santa Cruz, Bolivia, she is eager to enhance CLLAS’ social media presence and highlight the impactful work being done within Latino/a and Latin American communities. In her free time, Anna enjoys going to the gym, photography, hiking, and spending quality time with friends.

Meet Janice Daniels, a Digital Engagement Specialist who joined the CLLAS team in May 2023. Janice has been an active marketing and communications specialist for more than 15 years, having contributed her journalistic and digital media skills to CBS Radio, Eugene Weekly, Sacramento News & Review, The State Hornet, as well as numerous nonprofit organizations across Eugene and Sacramento.

Born and raised in Lima, Peru, Gloria is a PhD student at the University of Oregon researching Romance Languages alongside having a bachelors of arts for education! She has over ten years of teaching and editing. Gloria has also accomplished an amazing feat such as having a publication called Canto de sirena: oralidad y memoria, as well as a variety of articles in highly accredited academic venues. This project primarily focuses on the scholarly discourse surrounding the Andean women’s testimonies experiences in the context of Peru’s dictatorship under Alberto Fujimori and during the 20-year internal conflict in the final decades of the twentieth century. This research highlights the importance of understanding women’s testimonies about their lives and experiences in the context of human rights abuses. By leading key insights surrounding parallel topics such as: indigenous gender studies and Quechua cosmology to help us understand how these testimonies, fictional text, and films serve as a collective repository for experiences of human rights violations and gendered violence.

This project was supplemented by Beatriz Mira, a PhD student that is studying Communication & Media studies. Participants for this project were primarily selected through the use of in-depth interviews via snowball sampling along the coastal municipalities in Paraná & Curitiba. The Brazilian state of Paraná is the largest remaining stretch of the critically endangered Atlantic Forest, while hosting a myriad of environmental threats. Due to the increasing nature of vulnerability surrounding the locals, it is now exceedingly important to learn how to communicate culturally sensitive issues through a conducted manner that allows access to news media professionals. The project focuses on trends in how journalism addresses perspective and issues varied throughout the communities due to interpretation. However, one issue arose within local journalism which was that locals still felt frustrated by a lack of representation in terms of accuracy of how they felt and were represented. Local journalism also tended to steer away from addressing larger issues such as illegal land grabbing. This project will eventually be used in the co-creation of a culturally situated environmental journalism research guide designed with, but not for, the local communicators. Preliminary findings will be used in the development of a prototype guide during the summer of 2024 for the evaluation of Brazilian research participants.

This project centers around the parenting intervention for parents at risk with substance abuse. Audery Sileci, a PhD student that is studying Prevention Science, has previously engaged with Latino families in ongoing parent studies and has volunteered with the Center for Equity Promotion. During the ongoing research development, Audrey has studied the multi-modal intervention model Miles de Manos (Thousands of Hands), which was developed in 2012. Miles de Manos is based on a social learning theory by bringing in key adults into elementary-aged children's lives to positively impact the protection of children’s rights to safety and healthy development. Audery’s dissertation will focus on her journey to Tegucigalpa Honduras, in which she will interview the main team responsible for implementing Miles de Manos as well as the primary caretakers to see the full intended and unintended effects of this unique model of learning and care.

This project primarily focuses on the scholarly discourse surrounding the Afro-Mexican cultures as well as key insights surrounding parallel topics such as: identity formation, cultural resistance, and the intersections of race, ethnicity and multiculturalism in Mexico. During a month's stay in Costa Rica, Abraham a PHD student researching musicology with a specialization of ethnomusicology, was able to interview members of the organization Mexico Negro A.C., a primary group that advocates for Afrodescendent issues in Mexico. The primary observation took place within the patron saint festival of Santiago Apostol, where dance performances take place and Abraham was able to interview members of.

This research highlights the importance of music and dance as an expression of blackness within a socio-political context, which amplifies Afro-Mexican voices. By challenging stereotypes and advocating for policies & initiatives that promote cultural diversity, while also advocating for cultural recognition, this project is delivering significant insights towards fostering understanding within these communities. To restore and bring awareness towards the historical presence of African descendants in Mexico and their amazing contributions towards their nation is key to fostering better levels of understanding and empathy towards a community that wishes to be heard.

See our amazing CLLAS Outstanding Undergraduate Award 2024 Recipients!

Sebastian Ibanez Sanhueza, a Clark Honors business student from Chile and a biology major, won the CLLAS Undergraduate Project Awards of 2024 by displaying his autoethnographic research that focused on his medical interpretation, multilingual sciences and health communications. He also works diligently as a medical interpreter in Springfield as a medical interpreter for Volunteers in Medicine. This project stemmed from HC 421/444H: Latine Testimonios by Dr. Catalina de Onis.

Skye Grubb, an anthropology major as well as a Clark Honors student, submitted a project surrounding Latino/a/x studies and visual communications studies that received the CLLAS Undergraduate Project Awards for its research around Paño Art. Paño Art is prison art that is typically sketched on handkerchiefs that reflect testimonials on how incarcerated Chicanos thrive in violent and hostile environments by creating strong sustainable communities. This project stemmed from 444H: Top Latine Testimonios by Dr. Catalina de Onis.

Zoë McKeehan, a history & religion major with a Spanish minor, submitted a project surrounding the indigenous peoples of Cusco, Peru that won the CLLAS Undergraduate Project Awards of 2024. This unique and interactive project allowed for the insight of how Huilloc natives practiced religions that were brought by the Europeans (Catholic & Protestant) and still practiced their religion, which was Andean Cosmovision. This project stemmed from OSIT 388 with Alex Alvarez.

Diego Solorio is a Cinema Studies and Political Studies major. Diego is an aspiring filmmaker that receives the CLLAS Outstanding Undergraduate Award of for developing a cinematic representation of the Chupacabra through the use of an eleven paged screenplay. It’s work was tied deeply towards the generational trauma that can imbed themselves deeply in machismo cultures by harming women and gender non-conforming people. This project was developed during the class “Intro to Screenwriting” with Alissa Phillips.

Join us for an unforgettable experience! Here’s is what you’ll expect for our upcoming celebration. Mark your calendars and don’t miss out on any of the excitement! June 6th, 2024 at the EMU Ballroom at 4pm!
Will you be joining us for a fun night?!

One of our CLLAS Graduate Grantees, Kaito Campos de Novais, will be teaching this course! This amazing and insightful course examines sexuality with an emphasis on understanding the historical, cultural, economic, and political factors that contribute to the construction of sexual identities, relationships, and institutions. Topics to be addressed include: understanding gender and sexuality diversity cross-culturally; intersections with race, ethnicity, class, national origin; decolonial perspectives on gender and sexuality; the emergence of sexual identities and movements in the United States; violence and vulnerabilities affecting gender and sexuality non-conforming people.

The UOAdmin Internship applications are open through 10am on Wednesday June 12! This is a paid part-time on-campus internship to learn about the units that provide financial, HR, and operational services to the UO campus. This position begins Fall 2024-Spring 2025 (three-term commitment).

Why:
· Gain real-world work experience on practical projects at the UO
· Connect with a 12-intern cohort from different majors and educational levels
· Attend weekly professional development sessions to learn from and network with university leaders

Who:
· We welcome all UO students to apply: undergraduates, graduates, Dreamers, international students, U.S. citizens and non-citizens.
· If you are a UO student who meets the eligibility requirements, are willing to make a three-term commitment, and are enthusiastic about gaining knowledge in and contributing to behind-the-scenes UO operations, we want you to apply!

Requirements:
UO student in good academic standing with a cumulative GPA of at least 2.5
Registered for at least 8 UG or 5 grad credits in each internship term
Interested in learning about the operational side of the UO
Able to participate in all three terms

Commitment: 10 hours/week and 10 weeks/term (fall, winter, spring)

Compensation: Up to $1,600 per term (subject to satisfactory participation in the internship throughout its duration)

Application deadline: June 12 @10:00am

Learn more: https://vpfa.uoregon.edu/uoadmin-internship-program

CLLAS and Latinx Studies invite you to a vibrant celebration honoring our exceptional undergraduate students who have completed outstanding research projects and coursework that acknowledge Latinx experiences around the globe.

A short program and ceremony will take place, students will share about their projects, and dinner will be provided. This event is free and everyone is welcome!

Event Details
Undergrad Awards Ceremony & Latinx Studies Mixer
Friday, May 31 at 4pm
EMU CRATER LAKE ROOMS

Latinx Studies and the Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) present "Sabor y Saber," a celebration of the Latinx community at University of Oregon! Enjoy an ice cream sundae bar, interactive activities, and connect with alumni, student organizations, and community groups making a difference in the UO Latinx community. Discover valuable resources and learn about the incredible work being done to empower and celebrate Latinx students at UO. Don't miss out on the fun!

Shining a light on our CLLAS grantees! We're revisiting the captivating research of Sofia Vicente-Vidal, a PhD candidate in anthropology, who explored ​the context of the development of labor tourism and soul searching in Tulum, Mexico. CLLAS is a proud supporter of this important research as it ​revealed the the need for responsible and sustainable tourism practices that prioritize local communities and the environment. This finding underscores the need to address the disparities between the luxury tourism industry and the local population’s basic needs. As a CLLAS Faculty Grantee, Sofia Vicente-Vidal provided valuable insights into the complexities of spiritual tourism and its impact on local communities and ecosystems. It emphasized the need for sustainable tourism practices that prioritize the well-being of local people and the environment. Join us as we continue to highlight the innovative work of our grantees in Latinx and Latin American studies. Their work makes our world a better place! =

Join us on June 6th from 4-6pm in the EMU Ballroom for our 7th biennial Latino Roots Celebration!

In 2022, we honored the incredible Guadalupe Quinn with the Latino Roots Award for her tireless work advocating for Latino community members across Oregon. From supporting immigrants through organizations like Centro Latino Americano and Causa, to fighting for families affected by federal policies, Guadalupe has made a lasting impact.

This year, we'll be granting another Latino Roots Award to a special individual in the Eugene community who has made a difference in the lives of Latino Oregonians. But we won't reveal who it is until the event!

Come celebrate with us and enjoy a student documentary film showcase about Latino experiences in Oregon. Food and drinks will be provided! Let's honor our roots and look towards a brighter future together!


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Únete a nosotros el 6 de junio desde las 4:30-6pm en el Salón de Baile EMU para nuestra 7th Celebración Bienal de Raíces Latinas.

El año pasado, honramos a la increíble Guadalupe Quinn con el Premio Raíces Latinas por su incansable trabajo defendiendo a miembros de la comunidad latina en todo Oregón. Desde apoyar a inmigrantes a través de organizaciones como Centro Latino Americano y Causa, hasta luchar por familias afectadas por políticas federales, Guadalupe ha tenido un impacto duradero.

Este año, otorgaremos otro Premio Raíces Latinas a un individuo especial en la comunidad de Eugene que ha hecho una diferencia en la vida de los oregonianos latinos. Pero no revelaremos quién es hasta el evento.

¡Ven a celebrar con nosotros y disfruta de una exhibición de documentales estudiantiles sobre experiencias latinas en Oregón! Se proporcionarán comida y bebidas. ¡Honremos nuestras raíces y miremos hacia un futuro más brillante juntos!

Shining a light on our CLLAS grantees! We're revisiting the captivating research of Dr. ​David Meek (Associate Professor, Global Studies), who explored ​the context of rural school closures in Brazil and the role of social organization and resistance from educators, activists, and community members in preserving cultural identity. CLLAS is a proud supporter of this important research as it ​revealed that rural school closures disproportionately affect communities of color that rely on sustainable agriculture. This finding underscores the need to address systemic inequalities in education and ensure that policies prioritize the needs of vulnerable populations. As a CLLAS Faculty Grantee, Dr. Meek was able to conduct Phase Two of his research! Join us as we continue to highlight the innovative work of our grantees in Latinx and Latin American studies. Their work makes our world a better place!

Shining a light on our CLLAS grantees! We're revisiting the captivating research of by Dr. Audrey Lucero, (Director of Latinx Studies) Janette Avelar (Doctoral Student in Quantitative Research Methods in Education), and Angel Dorantes (Latino Outreach & Retention Manager at Linn-Benton Community College), who explored the experiences of 3rd-12th grade Latinx students within Bethel School District. The research shed light on the complex factors influencing Latinx students’ academic success, sense of belonging, and overall well-being. By examining the intersections of race, ethnicity, language, and culture, educators can work towards creating inclusive environments that support the academic success and well-being of Latinx students.

CLLAS is a proud supporter of this important research and partial funder as it highlighted how this study serves as a crucial reminder of the importance of prioritizing equity and inclusion in education. Join us as we continue to highlight the innovative work of our grantees in Latinx and Latin American studies. Their work makes our world a better place!

Join us on April 24th at 3:30pm for a fascinating research colloquium featuring three UO graduate students! 🤩

Carolina Arredondo (Global Studies), Lidia Munoz Paniagua (Anthropology), and Stephanie Morales Curiel (Linguistics) will present their CLLAS-funded research on topics like community health, access to healthcare for vulnerable populations, and developing orthography for indigenous communities.

Join us in person at the Knight Library Browsing Room or virtually via Zoom (cllas.uoregon.edu). No RSVP required!

Date: April 24
Time: 3:30pm-5pm
Location: Knight Library Browsing Room
Price: FREE!

Shining a light on our CLLAS grantees!

We're revisiting the captivating research of Ilana Umansky, who explored the complex educational journeys of transnational students in Mexico, revealing the challenges they face and the systemic hurdles that shape their experiences. If you are interested by these topics, please feel free to click the link provided here to continue reading her amazing research: https://cllas.uoregon.edu/faculty-research-presentation-ilana-umanksy/

Further background of one of CLLAS faculty research grantees show a highly accomplished academic women who has worked with countless important people and organizations. Ilana studies key education policies including EL identification, service provision, and reclassification, focusing on issues of stratification and opportunity. Her work has been awarded by the National Academy of Education, the Spencer Foundation, the Jacobs Foundation, the Fulbright Foundation, and the American Educational Research Association's Bilingual Education Special Interest Group. Her work has been published in the American Educational Research Journal, Journal of Research on Educational Effectiveness, Educational Evaluation and Policy Analysis, Educational Policy, and Exceptional Children. Continuing this amazing research, CLLAS is a proud supporter of this important research as it focused on indigenous communities in Mexico surrounding school culture, family separation and cultural adaptation.

The University of Oregon’s Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) fosters and advances student and faculty research that focus on Latinx and Latin American issues across Oregon, the United States, Latin America, and beyond. Learn more about Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies at cllas.uoregon.edu. Join us as we continue to highlight the innovative work of our grantees in Latinx and Latin American studies. Their work makes our world a better place!

Faculty Research Presentation: Ilana Umanksy - CLLAS Dr. Umansky's research sheds light on the complex educational journeys of transnational students in Mexico, revealing the challenges they face and the systemic hurdles that shape their experiences.

Join us tomorrow April 10 from 3:30-4:30pm in Knight Library 101 at the University of Oregon for a thought-provoking research presentation by Rosa O’Connor Acevedo, Philosophy Ph.D. Candidate! 📚Rosa will share findings on “Racial and Gender Discourse on Enslaved and Non-White Women from Puerto Rico”, based on their archival research in Spain and Puerto Rico. 🇵🇷🌎 Rosa will discuss how enslaved women were represented and written about in colonial documents, and how this research challenges traditional views on marronage. 💡 This research is funded by CLLAS and 🎉 Hope to see you there!

You’re invited to the 2024 Biennial Latino Roots Celebration! Join us for an unforgettable evening of storytelling and cultural celebration as University of Oregon students present their short documentary films on the experiences of Latino Oregonians.

Explore themes of identity, community, and resilience through these powerful films, and connect with the filmmakers and community members following the screenings. Don’t miss out on this special event!

Date: June 6th
Time: 4pm-6pm
Location: University of Oregon, EMU Ballroom (Room 224)
Event will include live music, food, and light refreshments

This event is made possible by:
💚SELCO COMMUNITY CREDIT UNION
💛UO LIBRARIES
💚UO DEPT. OF ANTHROPOLOGY
💛UO SCHOOL OF JOURNALISM AND COMMS
💚UO DIVISION OF EQUITY AND INCLUSION

Calling all UO Faculty! Are you working on a research project centered around Latinx or Latin American issues?

Apply now for the CLLAS Faculty Research Seed Grant and take your research to the next level!

Apply by April 5, 2024 at noon. Learn more and apply now: CLLAS.uoregon.edu