Latin American and Latinx Studies - WCUPA

So much love for Guatemala! Students from the History/LALS Spring Break Study Abroad Trip to Guatemala gathered this week to present their research and share their experiences with other students at WCUPA. Projects included lesson plans for Pennsylvania high school students on the Guatemalan genocide, outreach with the Maternal & Child Health Consortium, a proposal to reform Banana Day to make it more environmentally and socially conscious, and investigations into the role of traditional medicine in public health. We are so proud of the global to local connections that students are making here at WCUPA!

Students on the spring break study abroad trip to Guatemala visited Cafe Justicia, a fair trade coffee cooperative. ☕️ In addition to being treated to some delicious coffee, we learned about the work of the Campesino Committee of the Highlands (CCDA) and their efforts to help peasant families acquire land. Sales of Cafe Justicia organic, fair trade coffee not only support the members of the cooperative, they also fund social development projects in the region. You can learn more and purchase coffee at www.cafejusticia.ca

Students on the WCUPA spring break trip to Guatemala visited the Ruth and Naomi artisan cooperative in Chontalá near Chichicastenango. At the cooperative, founded by Pastor Diego Chico, women who were widowed as part of the Guatemalan armed conflict make and sell traditional K’iche’ textiles. In addition to demonstrating traditional backstrap weaving, they also taught students to make tortillas and shared a delicious lunch with us!

📷 by .fontecchio

Powerful conversation and an incredible student turnout at today’s panel on immigrant rights and immigration law. We heard the personal story of one local immigrant’s detention and gained important insight from a local immigration attorney on the realities of the citizenship process. Grateful to everyone who joined us for such an urgent and meaningful discussion, and a special thank you to the Institute of Race and Ethnic Studies for organizing this event.

Check out this new course for Fall 2026!

Students on the WCUPA study abroad trip to Guatemala learned about the fight for justice and memory in the aftermath of the Guatemalan armed conflict. One of the most impactful moments on the trip was our visit to FAMDEGUA, the Association of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared of Guatemala. Their testimonies on the disappeared and their ongoing struggle against impunity remind us why preserving historical memory is an act of resistance.

📷: Zoë Fontecchio

Tonight at the Unitarian Congregation of West Chester. Join us for music and speakers.

Join us Tuesday, March 24 at 2pm in the Sykes Ballroom for a panel on immigration rights.

It’s time to start thinking about Fall registration! Dr. Stevenson in Political Science is offering Latinx Politics (PSC 353). This course includes experiential learning, with field trips and community engagement opportunities. Check it out!

Today our WCUPA Spring Break study abroad group visited IMAP (Instituto Mesoamericano de Permacultura)to learn about their permaculture farming practices. IMAP was founded over twenty years ago by Kaqchikel community members to promote food sovereignty and biodiversity. We also tried a delicious Guatemalan dish called paches . It’s like a tamale made with potatoes.