Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies

College of Letters & Science
CLS students gathered during the March Up Bascom for a portrait in front of Bascom Hall, bearing the flags of different Latin American countries.

Students gather in front of Bascom Hall to celebrate the beginning of Latine Heritage Month.

Display of recent faculty book publications.

Selected publications from the Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies faculty.

Desde 1976: Education, Culture, and Community honors and celebrates five decades of work in preparing students for successful careers, growing our knowledge of Chicanx/e and Latinx/e populations through innovative research, and collaborations with local communities. Image includes the logo of the 50th anniversary celebraiton, which is a colorful butterfly with "50th" superimposed on it.
Marla Ramierz lecture. Our courses explore the histories, experiences, arts, cultures, and social lives of communities of Latin American descent in the United States.

Our courses explore the histories, experiences, arts, cultures, and social lives of communities of Latin American descent in the United States.

Browse our course offerings.

The Program in Chicanx/e and Latinx/e Studies advances interdisciplinary research and teaching on Chicanx/e and Latinx/e peoples, cultures, and collectivities within the United States. We also examine the transnational dimensions of Chicanx/e and Latinx/e lives, arts, and societies. We strive for excellence in research and teaching, support our undergraduate and graduate students, and contribute to the university’s mission to serve all students, advance knowledge, serve residents of Wisconsin, and advance education beyond the university in line with the Wisconsin Idea.

UW-Madison's annual fundraising event, Day of the Badger, will take place on April 14th and 15th this year. Click here to be redirected to our donation page. Thank you!

"Chicanx/e and Latinx/e studies has helped me learn more about the history of Latin culture and pursuit of higher education. As a physics major, my CLS courses have helped me come to terms with the fact there's not many individuals in physics like myself. CLS has always been a community on campus, especially for students in STEM where we don't see a lot of our people." —Vanessa Bello Ruiz
"I'm most interested in the historical aspect of my Chicanx/e and Latinx/e studies. Last semester, I created a semester-long project on bilingual education in the city where I grew up. I feel it's important to document and preserve the most granular bits of history." —Alonso Avella Sanchez
"I found the CLS program because I was trying to find belonging on campus. I met Rachelle, the academic advisor, and we learned I had room in my schedule for the CLS certificate in addition to my double major in Political Science and Spanish. CLS intersects really well with all the things that I want to do in my future." —Karen Romo

Declare the Major

The CLS Program offers an interdisciplinary major and certificate for undergraduate students. Contact Advisor Rachelle Eilers via Starfish or email to declare.

Detail of mural "The Inheritance of Struggle" by Leo Tanguma (Memorial Union)

Declare.

Newsletter

Our latest newsletter highlights the CLS Program’s achievements during Fall 2025.

CLS Newsletter Thumbnail with Floral Design

Desde 1976: Education, Culture, and Community

Desde 1976: Education, Culture, and Community honors and celebrates five decades of work in preparing students for successful careers, growing our knowledge of Chicanx/e and Latinx/e populations through innovative research, and collaborations with local communities.

Logo of the CLS Program's 50th anniversary celebration, showing a multicolored butterfly with "50th" superimposed on it and the slogan "Desde 1976: Education, Culture, and Community-UW Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies."

Learn more.

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