Latina/o Studies celebrates the class of 2026

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On storm-ravaged Vieques, a microgrid builds resilience

A collaboration with Cornell is bringing relief to Vieques, a Puerto Rican island that still has unreliable power nine years after Hurricane Maria. A solar-powered battery that operates independently of the main island’s grid is the first installment of a project led by Héctor Abruña, chemistry professor in Cornell's College of Arts and Sciences – still to come is a green-hydrogen fuel cell system.

Admitted Class of 2030 seeks real-world impact

Cornell admits the Class of 2030 emphasizing real-world impact, enrolling 5,776 students from 102 countries. At Cornell University, the diverse cohort reflects the land-grant mission and applied learning goals across multiple colleges.

What does the Latina/o Studies Program mean to our students?

"What I like best about LSP is the staff; they make the space a second home for me. Their constant engagement with students and their commitment to fostering open community is felt throughout campus. They welcome anyone warmly, putting their best forward not only for the interns that work here, but also the students that visit." Let’s grow something extraordinary together! Support the Latina/o Studies Program on March 12!

Héctor Abruña, long-time supporter of Latina/o Studies, honored for chemistry in the public interest

For his work in energy storage and power generation, Héctor D. Abruña, the Émile M. Chamot Professor of Chemistry and Chemical Biology in the College of Arts and Sciences (A&S) has received the 2026 Gustavus John Esselen Award for Chemistry in the Public Interest from the Northeastern Section of the American Chemical Society.

Two Years Post Affirmative Action, Student Racial Affinity Groups Discuss Shifts in Campus Culture

Josue Ortiz '26 said that as Latino students begin to “navigate uncertainty around representation and admissions,” he has noticed increased emphasis on “supporting one another, sharing resources and building solidarity across Latinx identities.”

Orozco Gallery Hosts Month-Long Pop-Up Gallery & Community Event Series in Downtown Ithaca

Orozco Gallery Hosts Month-Long Pop-Up Gallery & Community Event Series in Downtown Ithaca featuring artist talks, live music, dance, workshops, film, and family-friendly gatherings. Wednesday, April 8 | 5:00–7:00 PM Clothing Swap Bring three articles of clothing to swap and mingle. Free; non-alcoholic drinks available. Thursday, April 9 | 6:00–8:00 PM Artist Talks & Workshops Panadería Peluche 6:00 - 7:00 PM Melissa Castillo 7:00 - 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; RSVP encouraged Friday, April 10 | 6:00–8:00 PM Artist Talks & Workshops Poison Apple Society 6:00 - 7:00 PM Sarah Lopez 7:00 - 8:00 pm Ages 14+; free; RSVP encouraged

Fall 2026 Latina/o Studies course offerings

For the Fall 2026 semester, Latina/o Studies offers a range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level with the opportunity to explore and learn about history, communities, literature, immigration, as well as cultural identity, migration, language, and more.

34 Years Strong: Sabor Latino Dance Ensemble Spring concert

Sabor Latino to host its annual concert on Sunday, February 22, 2026 @ 7:00 pm at the State Theater, Ithaca.

Fridays with Alumni continues during Spring 2026

The Cornell Latino Alumni Association (CLAA) and the Latina/o Studies Program will continue offering Fridays with Alumni series during Spring 2026. The goal of these events is to introduce students to Cornell alums who will offer advice on preparing for an ever-changing workplace. All are welcome. Friday, April 10 @ 12 pm 429 Rockefeller Hall Carlos Mallen, CHRO, Board Member, Transformational Leader Carlos Mallen is a strategic and results-driven HR executive with 30 years of global experience driving cultural transformation, scalability, and financial performance across Fortune 500 and entrepreneurial environments. Currently serving as the President of Expert Recruiting, Inc., Carlos is a recognized expert in bridging the gap between high-level strategy and operational execution, specifically within complex, fast-evolving global organizations.

Production in memory of Professor Debra Castillo

Latinx Theatre Production (LSP 3010) students celebrated end of the Fall 2025 semester honoring Professor Debra Castillo.

Spring 2026 Latina/o Studies Fridays with Faculty seminar series

The Latina/o Studies Fridays with Faculty luncheon seminar offers an opportunity for students of all levels and disciplines to meet faculty and administrators from across the university for informal conversation about their current research/work in progress. All are welcome. March 13, 2026 @ 12 pm 429 Rockefeller Hall Professor Marianella Casasola Senior Associate Dean for Undergraduate Affairs Psychology Cornell Human Ecology

Fall 2025 Fridays with Alumni

Join the Cornell Latino Alumni Association (CLAA) and the Latina/o Studies Program for the Fall 2025 Fridays with Alumni series to introduce students to Cornell alums who will offer advice on preparing for an ever-changing workplace. All are welcome. Clemencia Fonseca '13 MBA Friday, November 21 @ 12 pm Hybrid event in person and virtual 429 Rockefeller Hall & via zoom

Hispanic, Black First-Year Enrollment Increases in Second Year Post-Affirmative Action

Enrolled students at Cornell who identified as Hispanic increased from 9.5 to 11.1 percent from the Class of 2028 to the Class of 2029.

Latina alum, Patricia Campos-Medina honored as Changemaker Champion

Cornell Alum, Patricia Campos-Medina ’96, MPA ’97, executive director of ILR’s Worker Institute and senior extension associate, honored as a Changemaker Champion by the YWCA of the City of New York.

A night of celebrating “Nuestra Esencia es Nuestra Presencia”

On Friday Oct. 17th, a myriad of students, faculty, staff, alumni and community members joined together at Willard Straight Hall Memorial Room in celebration of the 32nd Annual Latino Unity Dinner.

‘Champion, Advocate and Ally’: Remembering Debra ‘Debbie’ Castillo

In the wake of her passing, Castillo's children, colleagues, former students and collaborators remember her with affection, admiring her welcoming nature, compassion and commitment to mentorship.

Gio Rodriguez presents research in New Mexico

As a first-generation, low-income student, navigating academia has been challenging, but not impossible, thanks to the support of programs like the Latina/o Studies Program; I have been able to advance in my academic career.

Eduardo Peñalver ‘94, to become Georgetown University’s 49th president

Eduardo Peñalver ‘94, former Dean of Cornell Law School, and longtime supporter of LSP, to become Georgetown University’s 49th president.

Remembering Prof. Debra Castillo, champion of Latinx students, community

Professor Debra Castillo, Stephen H. Weiss presidential fellow and Emerson Hinchliff professor of Hispanic Studies in the College of Arts & Sciences, died Oct. 5 at the age of 72.

Spring 2026 Latina/o Studies course offerings

For the Spring 2026 semester, Latina/o Studies offers a range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level with the opportunity to explore and learn about history, communities, literature, immigration, as well as cultural identity, migration, language, and more.

Annual Bienvenidos Provides Latine Communidad

Bilingual chisme, laughter, music, dancing and singing radiated throughout the crisp evening air of Thurston Avenue’s 500 block on Friday, September 5th, for the LLC's annual Bienvenidos BBQ

Hispanic Heritage Month & Cine con Cultura Film Festival

The Latino Civic Association of Tompkins County together with collaborators from Ithaca College, Cornell University, Cornell Cinema and community partners celebrate 2025 Hispanic Heritage Month. This month long celebration will include the 11th annual Cine con Cultura Latinx Film Festival and community events.

Fall 2025 Nuestra Voz en español/Spanish Conversation Hour

Nuestra Voz en español will continue this Fall 2025 semester on Thursdays from 4 to 5 pm. No assignments, no grades, no exams.

Latinx Microtheater Festival comes to Cornell and downtown Ithaca

Call for proposals for the Latinx Microtheater Festival. The deadline for submission is October 15th.

Welcome!

Debra Castillo, LSP Interim Director, welcomes new and returning students to campus.

Dr. Evelyn Ambríz '11 and '15 joins Latina/o Studies

Latina/o Studies welcomes Dr. Ambriz this academic year as a Visiting Scholar. She will collaborate with Dr. Debra Castillo to explore mentoring dynamics in the humanities and social sciences, fields where research is often solitary and identity development is deeply entangled with academic inquiry.

Engaged Opportunity Grants connect students with hands-on community projects

The David M. Einhorn Center for Community Engagement awarded nine grants to a diverse array of projects that connect classroom learning with hands-on collaboration.

Fall 2025 Latina/o Studies course offerings

For the 2025 Fall semester, Latina/o Studies offers a range of courses at the undergraduate and graduate level with the opportunity to explore and learn about history, communities, literature, immigration, as well as cultural identity, migration, language, and more.

Kety Esquivel '97 ILR gives TEDx talk

Kety Esquivel '97 ILR and president of the Cornell Latino Alumni Association gives a TEDx Adams Morgan talk, 'Being Unstoppable, No Matter What'!

From posters to precedent, humanities scholars showcase their research

Projects spanned topics from Confederate cemeteries to Korean textiles.

Fall 2025 Latina/o Studies Fridays with Faculty seminar series

The Latina/o Studies Fridays with Faculty luncheon seminar offers an opportunity for Latina/o and non-Latina/o students to meet faculty and administrators for an informal conversation about their current research/work in progress. Friday, November 7 @ 12 pm - 429 Rockefeller Hall D. Alexander Bateman  Associate Professor Department of Government College of Arts and Sciences

'It's essential to view history considering multiple perspectives'

Isabella Riano is an American studies & government major.

Professor Karen Jaime receives VONA Fellowship

Voices of Our Nations Arts (VONA) has selected PMA/LSP Associate Professor Karen Jaime as a 2025 VONA Fellow. As a Fellow, Jaime will be participating in their summer poetry workshop.

“We are La Voz” event highlights Latine artists

A collaboration between Cornell faculty, students and Ithaca community members is bringing together a monthlong event in downtown Ithaca, focused on Latine artists.

Associate Professor Karen Jaime gave talk at the University of Miami’s Center for Humanities on Queer Nightlife Kinships

LSP/PMA Associate Professor Karen Jaime gave talk at University of Miami's Center for the Humanities on Queer Nightlife Kinships

Death of Pope Francis marks end of historic papacy

Cornell experts comment on the legacy of Pope Francis, who died on Monday, marking the end of a historic papacy.

Latina/o Studies celebrates the class of 2025

On this festive weekend the Latina/o Studies, LSP Student Success Office, and the Cornell Latino Alumni Association celebrated with families, students, faculty and staff the accomplishments of 12 undergraduate and 2 graduate students of the class of 2025.

Cornell Giving Day 2025

We’re on a mission to support students. Help us shape the future of Cornell— and beyond!

Spring 2025 Nuestra Voz en español/Spanish Conversation Hour

Nuestra voz en español brings students together to speak Spanish with other heritage speakers in an informal setting. No homework, no tests, just snacks and conversation. Wednesdays 5:00 - 6:00 PM • 429 Rockefeller Hall

Latina/o Studies offers new way to connect with alumni

“Fridays with Alumni” kicks off Jan. 31 featuring Kim Cardenas '17 & Joseph De Los Santos '19,

Doctoral student Laura Caicedo creates community at Cornell

Like many academics, fifth-year doctoral candidate Laura Caicedo's (they/them) journey through academia has been complex and sometimes isolating.

Latina/o Studies launches Fridays with Alumni

In the Spring 2025, Latina/o Studies and the Cornell Latino Alumni Association launches, Fridays with Alumni. This series will introduce students to Cornell alums who will offer advice on preparing for an ever-changing workplace.

Spring 2025 Latina/o Studies Fridays with Faculty seminar series

Now in its twenty-first year, the Latina/o Studies Fridays with Faculty luncheon seminar offers an opportunity for Latina/o and non-Latina/o students to meet faculty and administrators for an informal conversation about their current research/work in progress.

Chemist Héctor D. Abruña wins Enrico Fermi Award

The award recognizes scientists, engineers and science policymakers who have given unstintingly over their careers to advance energy science and technology.

31st Unity Dinner Creates Communidad Through Voces

The 31st Unity Dinner took place on October 18th and featured keynote speaker Dr. Evelyn Ambriz '11 and '15. The festive night included dinner and performances by Mariachi Regional en Cornell Univeristy, Salsa Pa'alante and Sabor Latino Dance Ensemble.

Karen Jaime awarded Cornell’s highest honor for graduate and undergraduate teaching

Karen Jaime, Associate Professor in Latina/o Studies and the Department of Performing and Media Arts in the College of Arts and Sciences received the Provost Award for Teaching Excellence in Graduate and Professional Degree Programs.

A&S announces membership in MLA Strategic Partnership Network

“We felt this is an important resource that should be available to our humanists at all levels, whether they have the resources to pay for membership or not,” said Peter John Loewen, the Harold Tanner Dean of Arts and Sciences.

Cornell historian featured in ‘game-changing’ PBS series about Latinos

Paul Ortiz served as an adviser and on-camera expert for “American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos,” a three-part docuseries premiering Sept. 27 on PBS.

ILR historian featured in ‘game-changing’ PBS series about Latinos

Paul Ortiz, who joined the ILR faculty in summer 2024 as a professor of labor history, served as an adviser and on-camera expert for “American Historia: The Untold History of Latinos,” a three-part docuseries premiering Sept. 27 on PBS.