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Thanking Dr. Serafín Coronel-Molina for His Leadership as Director of CLACS (2023–2025)

Monday, September 08, 2025

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) thanks Dr. Serafín Coronel-Molina for his dedicated service as Director from 2023 to 2025. During his tenure, he elevated the visibility of Indigenous languages and cultures and advanced initiatives that deepened the center’s engagement with Latin America, the Caribbean, and global communities. His impact extended across programming, student mentorship, and international partnerships, leaving a lasting mark on CLACS.

CLACS' 60-year impact in the Hispanic Outlook on Education Magazine.

Monday, September 08, 2025

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), established in 1963 as the Latin American Studies Program (LASP), plays a key role within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies (HLS) at Indiana University.

For the Creole Heritage Month, Scholars Gathered Online to Explore the Current State of Creole Languages and Some Historical Hypothesis

Monday, December 02, 2024

On October 31st the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies and the Haitian Creole Program hosted a webinar entitled The Genesis of Creole Languages and Historical Developments.

CLACS Director Serafín M. Coronel-Molina Appointed Expert Member of UNESCO

Monday, September 16, 2024

Serafín M. Coronel-Molina, Professor of Literacy, Culture, and Language Education, and International & Comparative Education in the School of Education, Director of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), and Head Coordinator of the Global Indigenous Studies Network (GISN) within the Hamilton Lugar School of Global and International Studies at Indiana University, has been appointed as an Expert Member of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) Ad-hoc Group 3: Recognition, Status, and Implementation of Policy for Indigenous Languages.

CLACS Celebrates 60 Years at Indiana University Bloomington

Thursday, June 13, 2024

On April 18th, 2024, we celebrated 60 years of CLACS at IU Bloomington! Originally founded as the Latin American Studies Program at Indiana University, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies has supported outreach initiatives and educational programming focused on highlighting Latin American and Caribbean topics and communities in a global setting.

2024 World Conference on Transformative Education in Puerto Rico

Wednesday, May 29, 2024

CLACS was thrilled to support the third World Conference on Transformative Education (WCTE) last month in San Juan, Puerto Rico! This conference, organized by the Global Institute for Transformative Education (GITE) in conjunction with Nuestra Escuela in Puerto Rico, welcomed participants from all over the world to discuss various ways of transforming educational practices to better reflect the needs of students in unique classroom settings.

CLACS Director Serafín Coronel-Molina Receives Award for Outstanding International Engagement!

Monday, May 20, 2024

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies' very own Director, Professor Serafín Coronel-Molina, recently received the Award for Outstanding International Engagement from the Indiana University School of Education!

CLACS & Quechua: What we've been up to lately...

Thursday, May 09, 2024

Over the last few months, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies has been working hard to bring Quechua back into the core programming of the department. This movement follows Dr. Serafín Coronel-Molina's induction as the Director of CLACS late last year.

Indiana University and Indiana State University professors join CLACS for a panel on politics and economics in South America

Tuesday, February 27, 2024

The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies proudly hosted a panel in partnership with Indiana State University and the IU Center for International Business Education and Research (CIBER) on Thursday, February 22 titled "The Intersection of Politics and Economics in South America: Focus on Paraguay, Brazil, and Bolivia."

Meet the new CLACS Steering Committee!

Thursday, February 22, 2024

The new CLACS Steering Committee for 2024-2026 has officially been selected! Following a survey sent out to all CLACS faculty and affiliate faculty members, 4 nominees were chosen to represent the department. Additionally, 4 members were nominated by the Director of CLACS, Professor Serafin Coronel-Molina.

Lecturing Artist Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo shares work in documenting Indigenous fights to save the Earth

Tuesday, February 20, 2024

CLACS is thrilled to host Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo in sharing her selected collection with Indiana University and the surrounding community from January 25-March 1 at the Gayle Karch Cook Center in Maxwell Hall.

Faculty Travel: Mexico

Monday, August 07, 2023

In July, Micol Seigel (American Studies) attended the Tepoztlán Institute for the Transnational History of the Americas with a CLACS faculty travel grant. This internationally-attended conference takes place annually in Morelos, Mexico, about an hour south of Mexico City.

CLACS affiliate César Félix-Brasdefer (Dept. of Spanish & Portuguese) wins CAS 2023 James P. Holland Morley Award for Exemplary Teaching and Service

Monday, July 03, 2023

CLACS affiliate César Félix-Brasdefer (Dept. of Spanish & Portuguese) wins the College of Arts & Sciences' 2023 James P. Holland Morley Award for Exemplary Teaching and Service, Tenure-Track Faculty J. César Félix-Brasdefer joined the IU faculty in 2003, and during that time he has made his mark not only in our classrooms, but around the world. He is a worldwide leader in the teaching of pragmatics.

Challenging Perspectives: Balancing Environmental Concerns and Social Justice

Thursday, June 08, 2023

Most of my life (and, I assume, others’) has consisted of long periods of regularity. Doing things like school or work at the same time every day for weeks with little tangible change.

Winners of Photo Contests 2023

Wednesday, April 19, 2023

Exciting News! The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies has announced the winners of its highly anticipated photo contest.

CLACS 2023 Reception

Monday, April 17, 2023

Last Thursday, April 13th, the Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) department at Indiana University held its 2023 Reception.

Faculty Travel: Costa Rica

Wednesday, March 29, 2023

Dr. Maurice Shirley, Assistant Professor of Higher Education and Student Affairs in the IU School of Education, traveled to the cities of Tamarindo, San Jose, and San Ramon in Costa Rica during the Spring 2023 academic term to convene with scholars, administrators, and current students regarding the current state of higher education within Costa Rica.

CLACS at the HLS 2023 Day

Monday, March 06, 2023

On Saturday March 4th 2023, the Center of Latinamerican and Caribean Studies was pleased to share with prospective HLS students (both transfers and incoming freshmen).

CLACS and Cafezinho: Carnaval edition!

Thursday, March 02, 2023

On February 22nd 2023, CLACS and Cafezinho* had their first event partnership of the semester: Cafezinho Carnaval edition! In this event, the Portuguese-speaking community at IU and Bloomington had the opportunity to make their own Carnaval masks and learn how to dance samba with Laís Lara Vanin and Gabriella Bain.

CLACS Sponsoring La Comunidad del Sancocho for their lunch with Cristal Ange y Carlos Castaño

Thursday, February 23, 2023

On Feb 22nd the Colombian Association at Indiana University "La Comunidad del Sancocho" hosted a lunch with Cristal Ange y Carlos Castaño sponsored by CLACS.

CLACS at the Literacy Night at Lakeview Elementary School.

Thursday, February 23, 2023

On February 9th, 2023, CLACS had an exhibit during the Literacy Night at Lakeview Elementary School. This event had several fairy tale literacy activities, the school book fair, and a station with exhibits from many of the academic centers of Indiana University.

CLACS Event: Understanding Peru’s Crisis

Monday, February 06, 2023

On Feb 3rd 2023 CLACS hosted a multidisciplinary roundtable discussion of the current political crisis and popular protests in Peru.

CLACS Sponsoring La Comunidad del Sancocho for their lunch with Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo

Monday, November 14, 2022

On Tuesday Nov 8th "La Comunidad del Sancocho - IU Colombian Students Association" hosted a Lunch with the artist Alexandra McNichols-Torroledo. The event was co-sponsored by the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

CLACS affiliate Christiana Ochoa to be next dean of IU Maurer Law School

Monday, October 17, 2022

Christiana Ochoa has been named dean of the Indiana University Maurer School of Law, effective Nov. 1, 2022. She is the school’s first-ever Latine dean and one of just eight Latine women ever to serve as the dean of a U.S. law school.

CLACS as co-sponsor of Lotus World Music Festival Latin-American Artists

Monday, October 03, 2022

As a Center we understand the enormous importance that culture has in the understanding of the regions. That is why, we felt very proud to be able to support the 2022 version of the Lotus World Music Festival co-sponsoring three groups from Latin America: Matizando, Ladama, and Bazurto.

CLACS Hosting the Ex-President of the Colombian Constitutional Court - Manuel Jose Cepeda

Monday, October 03, 2022

On Sep 22, 2022, CLACS hosted Manuel Jose Cepeda Espinoza, Ex-President of the Colombian Constitutional Court, in a warm and frank conversation about the insides of the Constitutional legal system of Colombia.

CLACS at La Casa Latino

Thursday, August 25, 2022

On Aug 24th 2022, our Director Dr. Daniel Suslak, and current GA Maestro Barbosa-Vasquez, shared with the Latino community at "La Casa's Welcome and Resource Fair" organized by La Casa/Latino Cultural Center of Indiana University Bloomington.

Indiana University awarded Title VI Grant

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Environmental anthropologist Eduardo S. Brondizio elected to National Academy of Sciences

Thursday, August 25, 2022

CLACS GA attends World Social Forum

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Announcing our 2022 Foreign Language and Area Studies Fellowships (FLAS)

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Summer 2022 Intensive Portuguese/Elementary Portuguese for Graduate Students

Thursday, August 25, 2022

Alberto Varon receives $215,000 New Directions Fellowship

Thursday, August 25, 2022