News

The Latin American, Latinx, and Caribbean Studies Program (LALCS) at Emory University is pleased to announce a new undergraduate minor in U.S. Latinx Studies. The multidisciplinary minor explores the art, philosophy, and cultural productions of Latina/o/x communities living in the United States, along with the social, political, and historical events that shape the diversity of Latinx experiences. We believe the minor is appropriate for students of any background who seek to add an in-depth understanding of the growing Hispanic or Latino population in the United States to their disciplinary major within the college. The minor is a tangible manifestation of a multigenerational student push at Emory, and three years of work by Emory faculty and staff to develop and strengthen the academic study of Latina/o/x communities.

The new U.S. Latinx Studies minor will complement the existing Latin American and Caribbean Studies major and minor, reflecting the expanding breadth of the LALCS program. Housed within the Department of Spanish and Portuguese, LALCS was renamed in anticipation of this new minor opportunity and to connect the over two dozen existing Emory courses that touch on the Latinx experience. This includes courses in Spanish and Portuguese, History, English, Political Science, Theater, Sociology, Philosophy, and other departments. The cornerstone of the minor is LACS 102: Introduction to Latinx Studies, which will be offered for the second time in Spring 2026 by LALCS postdoctoral fellow Dr. Taína Figueroa.

For more information about the minor in U.S. Latinx Studies, please visit our website at lalcs.emory.edu or contact LALCS program coordinator Viviana Ojeda at viviana.ojeda@emory.edu.

Arturo Contreras, a fourth-year student majoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, curated the exhibit “Consciousness Is Power: A Record of Emory Latinx History” on display at the Robert W. Woodruff Library in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month.

Every year, the Emory Alumni Board and the Student Alumni Board collaborate to honor exceptional students and recognize emerging leaders among the graduating senior class, naming them the 100 Senior Honorary.
 
These seniors embody a diverse spectrum of roles on campus: leaders, catalysts for thought, spirited athletes, academic mentors, and community influencers. Their dedication to their passions and endeavors has left an indelible mark on the Emory community, and each is committed to extending their impact to alumni communities worldwide.
 
Among last year's 100 Senior Honorary is one LACS major: América Moreno Ruiz.

The MMUF Spring Research Conference serves as a platform for senior fellows to showcase the culmination of their intensive two-year endeavors. This event holds immense significance for the students, and your support was greatly appreciated. Presentations delved into a variety of themes. América Moreno Ruiz unveiled her project: "The Rise and Effects of an Internal Ethical Dilemma of an Undocumented Immigrant" and Arturo Contreras presented his project: "Preserving Institutional Memory of the Emory Latinx Community through Archival Research and Oral Histories”. Congratulations to América and Arturo for their hard work and dedication on these incredible projects!

LACS Director Robert Goddard has been asked for perspectives regarding his homeland Barbados' recent decision to end its political allegiance to the British monarch and to become a republic.

Why does Barbados’ symbolic transition to a republic matter - LSE blog

Interviewed by BBC Espanol about moves to republic in Caribbean