University of Arizona Center for Latin American Studies

08/28/2026

🎉 Fall 2026 CLAS Cohort 🎉

The Center for Latin American Studies would like to welcome Fall 2026 cohort.

Meet Daniela Agudelo

Daniela Agudelo is of Colombian origin, raised in Queens, New York. She holds a bachelor's degree in Bilingual Childhood Education and Psychology from The City College of New York, where she graduated Magna Cum Laude and was team captain of the Women's Soccer Team (2016 & 2017 seasons). Her academic interests center on youth empowerment, Latin America, and social justice, with a particular interest in how education and community-based initiatives create greater opportunities for young people. Her experiences as a bilingual educator, returned Peace Corps volunteer, and youth development practitioner continue to shape her interest in culturally grounded approaches to youth development across the region.

Outside of academics, Daniela enjoys staying active and spending time outdoors. She enjoys mountain biking, trail running, hiking, and snowboarding. She is always happiest when she can combine a little adventure with time outside.

Welcome to CLAS Daniela!

08/27/2026

🎉 Fall 2026 CLAS Cohort 🎉

The Center for Latin American Studies would like to welcome Fall 2026 cohort.

Meet Tiffany Larsen

Tiffany Larsen brings her passion for skill development and building a sense of empowerment for historically marginalized Latino populations to the Center for Latin American Studies at the University of Arizona. For her master’s research, Tiffany is interested in studying new agricultural initiatives for small farmers in Paraguay, focusing on the obstacles they face with market fluctuations, socio-economic barriers, and how institutional governance affects these projects.

For the past three years, Tiffany has contributed to the Latino Community Association in Bend, Oregon as an English as a Second Language volunteer tutor and group teacher. Her compassion for Latino communities stems from her time as an Environmental Conservation Peace Corps Volunteer in Paraguay (2012-2014). While living in her rural community in Paraguay, Tiffany worked with self-sustaining farmers on environmental and agricultural projects.

As a first-generation college graduate, Tiffany received a BA in Geology from Carleton College (2003), a MS in Geology from the University of Vermont (2009), and a Certificate in Geographic Information Systems from Central Oregon Community College (2012). The geology discipline ignited Tiffany’s enthusiasm for outdoor recreation, which resulted in a sixteen-year-long career in the outdoor retail industry in Bend, Oregon. In her free time, Tiffany enjoys climbing, mountain biking, dabbling in art projects, and connecting with friends around the globe.

Welcome to CLAS Tiffany!

06/11/2026

Students in LAS 405/505 Sabores de México: From Farm to Table spent 10 days in Oaxaca, Mexico, immersing themselves in the region’s rich culinary traditions.

Through hands-on experiences with local farmers and food producers, they explored the journey from farm to table and gained firsthand insight into traditional Mexican cuisine and cooking practices.

Want to be part of opportunities like this? Explore our upcoming fall courses at https://clas.arizona.edu/upcoming-courses

UArizona College of Social and Behavioral SciencesSchool of Global Studies

05/20/2026

Congratulations to our graduates! 🥳

05/20/2026

🌵✨ We're proud to announce the 2026 recipients of the In This Frontera Moment graduate microgrant, supporting UA graduate students whose interdisciplinary work responds to the rapidly evolving realities of immigration, border enforcement, and the public narratives shaping our border communities.

🎥 📃 These recipients will produce work from visual art to digital media, performance to research, and so much more! These emerging scholars and creators are telling the stories that matter, right now, from the center of the borderlands.

Stay tuned to learn more about the Fronteridades microgrant initiatives and this year's recipients!

05/19/2026

📣Faculty Spotlight📣

We are delighted to share that CLAS faculty, Dr. Elizabeth Oglesby, was recently awarded the Henry and Phyllis Koffler Prize for Excellence in Public Service/Outreach.

Congratulations Dr. Elizabeth!

05/18/2026

05/15/2026

🎉Spring 2026 graduates🎉

Congratulations to CLAS graduate Lucila Velásquez who completed their M.A. in Latin American Studies.

We wish you all the best Lucila!

05/14/2026

🎉Spring 2026 graduates🎉

Congratulations to CLAS student office assistant Venetzia Parra who completed their B.A. in Spanish & Portuguese, and a B.S. in Care, Health & Society.

Venetzia has been working at CLAS since she was a freshman and has been a valued member of our team throughout her college journey.

We wish you all the best Venetzia!

05/13/2026

🎉Spring 2026 graduates🎉

Congratulations to CLAS graduate Alvaro Diaz who completed their M.A. in Latin American Studies and Public Administration

We wish you all the best Alvaro!