Interdisciplinary Programs in Latin American Studies and Latinx Studies

Welcome to Latin American Studies and Latinx Studies!

Program Director: Dr. Laura Matthew, Associate Professor, History


What is Latin American Studies?

Latin American Studies is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to analyze critically many aspects of life in Latin America in order to develop a greater understanding of the region, its importance in the hemisphere and the world, and the complex relations between the US and Latin America. Students in Latin American studies benefit from the study of methodologies in a variety of academic fields while at the same time developing a deep understanding of the region. Our interdisciplinary degrees draw from course offerings in Economics, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Social Welfare and Justice, Spanish, and Theology. A degree in Latin American Studies can lead to fulfilling careers in areas that require an understanding of globalization and international regions. Please find more information about our interdisciplinary major and minor in the Undergraduate Bulletin.


What is Latinx Studies?

Latinx Studies is an interdisciplinary field that seeks to examine critically the rich and varied experiences of peoples of Latinx descent in the US. Built on a foundation developed in Race and Ethnic Studies, Latinx Studies engages with the history, politics, social movements, and literary and cultural production of Latinx populations in the US, including but not limited to those of Mexican/Chicanx, Caribbean, Brazilian, and Filipinx backgrounds. Latinx Studies is critical for a more profound understanding of Latinx experiences in and key contributions to the history and culture of the US as well as of race and ethnicity in the US as a whole. A degree that includes Latinx Studies can lead to fulfilling careers in a variety of fields that incorporate an understanding of complex and dynamic factors shaping Latinx communities as well as our society as a whole. Please find more information about our interdisciplinary minor in the Undergraduate Bulletin.

Faculty and Staff

Our outstanding faculty members are housed in a variety of academic programs at ÃÛÌÒÓ°Ïñ but share research and teaching interests in Latin American and/or Latinx Studies.

Faculty and Staff Directory

  • Laura Matthew, Ph.D.,Director,  Associate Professor, History
  • Sonia Barnes, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
  • Pilar Bellver, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
  • Noelle Brigden, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Political Science
  • Dinorah Cortés-Vélez, Ph.D., Professor of Spanish
  • Tara Daly, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
  • Kimberly D'Anna Hernandez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Psychology
  • Michael Donoghue, Ph.D., Associate Professor, History
  • Lisa M. Edwards, Ph.D., Professor, Director of Counselor Education; Coordinator of Clinical Mental Health Counseling Program
  • Sergio González, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, History
  • Alexandre A. Martins, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Theology
  • Michelle Medeiros, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
  • Julia C. Paulk, Ph.D., Associate Professor of Spanish
  • Javiera Perez Gomez, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Philosophy
  • Jessica Rich, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Political Science
  • Stephanie Rivera Berruz, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Philosophy
  • Grant Silva, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Philosophy
  • John Thiede, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Theology
  • Lucas Torres, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Psychology
  • Gabriel Velez, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Educational Policy and Leadership
  • Julissa Ventura, Ph.D., Assistant Professor, Educational Policy and Leadership
  • Katherine Ward, Ph.D., Associate Professor, Theology