Latina/Latino Studies

Congratulations to the LLS faculty, affiliates, lecturers, and TAs who received the Facilitating Learning Excellence Award (FLEX) from their students in the Fall 2025 semester!

A new edited collection explores the increasing visibility of quinceañeras in popular culture. Co-edited by emerita professor Angharad N. Valdivia and alumnae Jillian M. Báez (PhD, ’09, communications) and Diana Leon-Boys (PhD, ’20, communications and media studies, Latina/Latino studies minor), the collection also features contributions from alumna Ariana Cano and current PhD student and LLS graduate minor Stephanie Perez.

Learn more ⬇️
https://lls.illinois.edu/news/2026-05-27/new-book-co-edited-emerita-professor-angharad-n-valdivia-and-two-alums-explores-quinceaneras-pop

University of Illinois Press

New book co-edited by emerita professor Angharad N. Valdivia and two alums explores quinceañeras in pop culture | Department of Latina/Latino Studies | Illinois A new collection of essays co-edited by Angharad N. Valdivia, emerita professor of Latina/Latino studies and the Institute of Communications Research, with alumnae Jillian M. Báez (PhD, ’09, communications) and Diana Leon-Boys (PhD, ’20, communications and media studies, Latina/Latino studies m...

Professor Natalie Lira writes in The Conversation US about the impact of forced sterilization programs on Latinas in California. ⬇️

Forced sterilization programs in California once harmed thousands – particularly Latinas About 20,000 Californians were once sterilized under state eugenics laws. New research shows Latinos were disproportionately targeted. Is there any opportunity today to address these wrongs?

Congratulations! Professor Janett Barragán Miranda was awarded a Campus Research Board grant to study the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey that ran from 1982 to 1984.

It was a comprehensive survey conducted on the health of Latina/os and shaped assumptions about Latina/o health.

Learn more ⬇️

Professor Janett Barragán Miranda awarded Campus Research Board grant to study CDC Latina/o health program | Department of Latina/Latino Studies | Illinois Latina/Latino studies professor Janett Barragán Miranda was awarded funding from the Campus Research Board’s Multiracial Democracy program for her project “From the Streets to the Laboratories: How the Hispanic Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1982-1984) Impacted the Latina/o/x Communit...

Congrats to LLS graduate minor Dr. Xavier Ramirez!

One of the most meaningful traditions of doctoral education: the hooding ceremony. Congratulations to our newest doctoral graduate, Xavier Ramirez, as he begins the next chapter of his impact in social work and beyond!

Interested in a graduate minor in Latina/Latino studies? Required course LLS 577: Perspectives in LLS is being offered this fall! Several other courses that are approved for the graduate minor are also being offered this fall.

Learn more about the LLS graduate minor ⬇️
https://lls.illinois.edu/admissions/latinalatino-studies-graduate-minor

Dr. Sean Ettinger, the Department of Latina/Latino Studies academic program coordinator, was honored with the 2026 Cathy Acevedo Faculty & Staff Award by La Casa Cultural Latina. The award recognizes faculty or staff who have shown extraordinary commitment to Latina/o students and the campus community.

Congratulations! We are so lucky to have you in LLS!

https://lls.illinois.edu/news/2026-05-20/lls-academic-program-coordinator-sean-ettinger-honored-cathy-acevedo-faculty-staff

Congratulations to Juju Gonzalez-Moreno, a senior psychology and Latina/Latino studies major, for receiving a Distinguished Undergraduate Researcher Certificate sponsored by the Office of Undergraduate Research!

Congratulations to all our graduates, award winners, and senior thesis/research paper writers! We are so proud of you and can't wait to see what you do next!

Congratulations to our 2026 award winners!