Our center brings together members of Duke, local and worldwide communities in order to promote Latin Mellon grants since 1990.
CLACS oversees and coordinates graduate and undergraduate education in Latin American and Caribbean studies at Duke and promotes research and dissemination of knowledge about the region. Its activities encompass the humanities, social sciences, natural sciences and the professional schools. CLACS, together with it's consortium partner, the Institue for the Study of the Americas at UNC-Chapel Hill,
08/06/2025
Meet Luis Alonso Juárez: The C1 ‘party bus’ DJ Known by students as the “party bus,” Luis Alonso Juárez’s particular C1 bus has a long legacy of livening up the journey between campuses, blasting music from Bad Bunny to Skrillex from its speakers for students to enjoy as a welcome reprieve from the midday slog.
06/30/2025
Today was the last day for our program director and friend, Natalie Hartman. Hard to think of a better legacy than the one she left CLACS and the . You can read more about her on our website (🔗 in bio). Hasta la vista and enjoy your retirement, Natalie!
.bethzaida @
06/25/2025
On Friday, Natalie Hartman will launch into a new phase of life -- retirement! We owe her so much gratitude for the 35 years she spent building our Center for Latin American & Caribbean Studies!
To learn more about her dedication and contributions, please check out this article and video on our website!
https://latinamericancaribbean.duke.edu/natalie-hartman-retires-after-guiding-clacs-through-35-years-change/
Duke Global Health Institute - DGHI Department of Romance Studies at Duke University Duke Latin American Student Organization Duke Brazil Initiative Franklin Humanities Institute at Duke University Duke Global
06/10/2025
We at CLACS were so sorry to read of the passing of Bradley Simmons. He was able to visit Cuba with a faculty grant from CLACS, and we will never forget the drumming workshop he did for a Wednesdays at the Center event that we co-sponsored. A huge loss for Duke and Durham!
In Memoriam: Bradley Simmons (November 14, 1951 – May 22, 2025) Bradley Simmons, director of the Duke Djembe and Afro-Cuban Ensembles, passed away on May 22, 2025.
06/06/2025
In case you're in DC this weekend!
05/09/2025
CLACS wishes to congratulate our certificate graduates for all their hard work during what was a challenging time, going into and coming out of the pandemic. And they all succeeded in finding jobs, which is amazing! Present at our certificate ceremony on May 08 were Nayeli Reyes Rivera (undergraduate certificate); Rafaella Lobo, PhD in Marine Science and Conservation (Duke University Marine Lab); Sydney Marshall, PhD in History; and Mateo Villamizar-Chaparro, PhD in Duke Political Science! Unable to join us were Tayzhaun Glover, PhD History, and Ian Erickson-Kery, PhD Romance Studies. Also pictured, Natalie Hartman (left), Liliana Paredes (front right), and in the back, from left, Miguel Rojas-Sotelo, Patrick Semmler, and Dennis Clements, our fabulous staff! ¡Felicidades! 🎓🥂
05/01/2025
Joyful photos from students and staff at Duke Global Health Institute - DGHI! Thank you for your many years of mentorship and friendship, Dennis! 🤩
04/29/2025
Thank you, Dennis! CLACS created the Dennis Clements Service Award to honor his leadership and the way he inspires leadership and service in students. 💙
A Heart for Students, A Vision for the World: Honoring Dr. Dennis Clements After decades of teaching, mentoring, and serving communities from Durham to Honduras, Dr. Dennis Clements is retiring from Duke—leaving behind a legacy deeply rooted in global health, service, and a profound love of teaching.Known for his chocolate brownies, warm presence, and sharp intellect, Cl...
04/15/2025
This fall we will be honored to have Luz Angela Rodríguez as our Mellon Visiting Professor! She is a Duke alumna teaching the first installment of our Reimagining Latin America and the Caribbean courses. Using the lens of the environmental justice framework, she will explore cases of environmental conflicts, their actors and the implications of large scale development projects for local livelihoods' sustainability. LATAMER 306S.
02/28/2025
Monday 3/3 @ 6:30PM!!! Join DBI and Duke Bass Connections for an incredible rap show with Brazilian and local rappers from Athens, GA. Part of the Hip Hop, Faith & Citizenship conference on 3/3/2025. FREE RAP SHOW!!!! Smith Warehouse, FHI Garage, Bay 4 🧢 🎤 🎵🎶
.bethzaida