I began working for the Center for Campus History and CLS in the fall of 2024 as an undergraduate research assistant. I was nervous at the beginning because I hadn’t conducted an intense, year-long research project before, but most importantly, I wanted to do a good job and accurately represent the history of CLS the best way possible. 
Fifty years as a program is a major accomplishment. I wanted to make sure the museum exhibition labels reflected both the achievements and challenges shaped by the work of students, faculty, staff, and the community. I was amazed to see the number of archival boxes at the UW Archives in Steenbock, which is where I spent most of my first couple of months doing research. A previous researcher had also conducted an extensive oral history project, and listening to those interviews revealed the challenges of maintaining an ethnic studies program at UW. Additionally, Assistant Director Taylor L. Bailey and I conducted over thirty oral histories in the spring of 2025, adding new voices to the history of the CLS program. We were able to interview founders of the program, like alum Emmet Campos, who were pivotal in organizing and protesting on Bascom Hill for the creation of the Chicano Studies program. Throughout the research process, I learned to appreciate the work and dedication that staff, faculty, and students have put into the CLS program. Although there was a lack of support and funding that hindered its growth, students never failed to build the program from the ground up. The program truly reflects the resilience of the people who devoted their time to creating a space for community and learning. I hope the museum exhibition reflects not only the struggles but also the victories of CLS and how it has contributed to the UW campus and Wisconsin. I also hope it can support the ongoing fight for department status by showing how far the program has come and why it deserves that recognition after 50 years of service. I am excited for everyone to celebrate the program’s anniversary and I hope others can come to appreciate the history as well.