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Program History

Students' desire for a major and minor in Latina and Latino Studies has been present and persistent at Northwestern University for over 10 years. Students organized to demand a Latina and Latino Studies department and, minimally, a program. Faculty and graduate students with interests in Latina and Latino studies also organized various intellectual communities, such as reading groups and workshops like the Northwestern Latina/o Research Initiative. Through their collective hard work and dedication, the Latina and Latino Studies Program office finally opened its doors in the fall of 2008. Since then, the number of majors and minors has increased and we continue to grow thanks to a dynamic and committed community of students, staff, and faculty members.