Latin American and Latinx Studies - WCUPA

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Latin American and Latinx Studies - WCUPA

The Latin American and Latinx Studies Program at West Chester University (WCUPA) The minor can be earned by completing 18 credits of approved courses.

The Latin American and Latinx Studies program offers an interdisciplinary minor providing students with foundations in the studies of the peoples of the region of Latin America and/or of those of Latinx heritage in the United States. It can be customized to fit the student’s interests and needs across 11 different disciplines. Check this page frequently for upcoming LALS events on campus, and in the region, annual scholarships and travel grants, LALS faculty bios, special course offerings, and much more! For more info contact the director, Dr. Daniela Johannes at [email protected]

09/21/2026

Join us this Wednesday at noon! Hear from McKenzie Kemble, Communication Studies ‘27, about her proposal for reimagining banana day. Her idea “stems” from learning about the social and environmental costs of banana production on our 2026 spring break study abroad program in Guatemala. I think you will agree with a “bunch” of her ideas! 🍌 🍌 🍌

09/17/2026

✈️ 🧳 🇲🇽 Information meeting today!

Come learn more about our Spring Break study abroad trip to Mexico!

Travel to Mexico City and Cuernavaca for 10-days and earn 3-credits.

Wayne Hall 705 today at 3:30pm or next Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30pm.

🇲🇽

09/16/2026

Join us for an information meeting this Thursday, September 17 at 3:30pm or next Wednesday, September 23 at 6:30pm. The link to signup or just receive more information is in our bio!

09/04/2026

🍌🌎 What’s really behind Banana Day?

Join Latin American & Latinx Studies for our Sustainability Research and Practice Seminar on September 23:

“Reimagining Banana Day: A Political, Economic, Colonial, and Environmental Review of Banana Cultivation”

Featuring Dr. Tonya Thames-Taylor, Dr. Tia Malkin-Fontecchio, and McKenzie Kemble ’27.

We’ll look beyond the 🍌 to explore the history and global systems behind banana cultivation—and rethink how we celebrate one of WCU’s favorite traditions.

📅 Wednesday, September 23
⏰ 12:00–12:50 PM
📍 255 A/B Sykes Student Union + Zoom

Come learn, question, and help us reimagine Banana Day! 🍌🌱🌎

08/26/2026

Join us in Mexico for Spring Break March 2027! WCUPA History and Political Science professors Dr. Malkin and Dr. Stevenson will be leading this trip to Mexico City and Cuernavaca. This is your chance to visit ancient archeological sites and museums as well as present day indigenous communities. All majors are welcome and there is no language requirement! Reach out to Dr. Malkin or Dr. Stevenson for more information or join us at the study abroad fair on September 9.

🇲🇽

06/11/2026

LALS faculty are on the move this summer, traveling to conferences and doing research. Pictured here are LALS faculty members Dr. Malkin-Fontecchio and Dr. Linda Stevenson. Both professors presented at the 34th annual Global Awareness Society International conference in Santiago, Chile! They were joined by WCUPA faculty members Dr. Lalicker, Dr. Sankaran, and Dr. Thames-Taylor. Dr. Malkin presented her recent research on the impact of short-term faculty-led study abroad on global citizenship and Dr. Stevenson presented her book project on the Farmworkers Union and their defense of migrant labor rights. Great job everyone!

04/24/2026

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!

03/30/2026

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

03/27/2026

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

03/24/2026

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.

Address

110 W Rosedale Ave
West Chester, PA
19383

Website

https://www.wcupa.edu/arts-humanities/LALS/, https://forms.gle/MUEu13ZD7HUwjKvG6

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