University of Wisconsin-Madison
For the past several years, an ongoing partnership spearheaded by the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS) has proven that high school classrooms can have a global footprint. Through LACIS, a center within the Institute for Regional and International Studies (IRIS) at UW–Madison, advanced Spanish students at Oconomowoc High School undertake a creative …
As the author of acclaimed novels like The Only Road and Farewell Cuba, Mi Isla, Alexandra Diaz has dedicated her career to telling stories of resilience and empowerment. The Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS) recently hosted Diaz for a week-long residency centered on writing and community engagement. Throughout the week of April …
During a recent lunchtime lecture hosted by the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies Program (LACIS), Elsa Cardenas Canales shared her journey from the caves of Mexico to the laboratories of UW–Madison. She is currently pioneering a new way to manage rabies by combining laboratory and field research to vaccinate the bats themselves. While there …
A collaboration of UW–Madison’s IRIS centers hosted a workshop at the Madison Concourse Hotel and Governor’s Club last week. Titled “AI and Society: Community Impacts and New Directions,” the event drew over 55 educators, business leaders, and community partners from across the state. Supported by the International Division and co-sponsored by the Latin American, Caribbean, …
The University of Wisconsin–Madison community and the Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (LACIS) Program are preparing to bid farewell to Alberto Vargas, a cornerstone figure on campus. As LACIS’s long-serving associate director, Vargas’s impact has been immeasurable, shaping the program and inspiring countless students and staff. This was vividly evident at his retirement party …
UW–Madison’s Union South buzzed with linguistic energy on March 5, 2025, as more than 450 high school students from across Wisconsin attended the annual Languages of the World Day. Through introductory lessons and hands-on workshops led by more than 60 UW–Madison experts, students experienced firsthand the power of language learning through music, dance, film, and …
The Wisconsin International Resource Consortium (WIRC), a collaboration among the nine area studies centers at UW–Madison, continues to provide outreach programming and support through their International Children’s Literature Event. Now in its second year, the event brought together K-12 educators, librarians, and children’s literature enthusiasts for an in-person workshop exploring themes of migration, partition, and …
The Latin American, Caribbean, and Iberian Studies (LACIS) program, in partnership with the Mexican consulate in Milwaukee, presented a free public film screening of the poignant documentary Home is Somewhere Else. Held in the Marquee Theatre at Union South, the event was followed by another special screening and workshop for over 150 middle and high …
The University of Wisconsin–Madison and the College of Menominee Nation (CMN) have cultivated a lasting partnership rooted in shared values of sustainability, indigenous knowledge, and global engagement. It is an outstanding example of the Wisconsin Idea, emphasizing the university’s role in serving the broader community. Over the years, the institutions have collaborated on a range …