LADS Students & Graduates
Students
Students in the Latin American Development Studies minor engage Latin America through an interdisciplinary lens that brings together politics, development, gender, migration, environment, culture, and social justice.
The program encourages students to connect classroom learning to the major challenges facing the region and to broader global questions about inequality, democracy, and human dignity.
Through coursework and faculty mentoring, students develop strong analytical and communication skills while exploring issues such as migration, environmental justice, Indigenous rights, and development policy.
The minor complements a wide range of majors and supports students as they prepare for graduate study, public service, nonprofit work, and globally oriented careers.
Student Engagement
- Faculty-mentored research
- Conference presentations
- Community engagement
- Interdisciplinary learning
- Focus on social justice and sustainability
Graduates
LADS graduates pursue diverse paths in graduate study, public service, nonprofit work, and policy. Their experience in the minor provides a strong interdisciplinary foundation and a deep understanding of Latin America.
Lakshmi Mosquera Herrera
The Latin American Development Studies minor provided a strong foundation for my transition into professional policy work. Through courses such as POLS 230 and POLS 215, I developed a deeper understanding of Latin America’s political structures and social inequalities.
The program strengthened my ability to analyze complex power dynamics across the region. Its interdisciplinary approach encouraged me to connect politics, gender, and development. I gained valuable insight into issues of gender equity and institutional reform. These experiences shaped my analytical perspective in meaningful ways. I now apply this perspective in my work in global affairs and policy.
The LADS minor continues to influence how I approach public service. It reinforced the importance of evidence-based and historically informed policy. It also grounded my work in a regionally informed understanding of development and justice.
Your Story Here
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