Since its founding in 1968, the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS), formerly known as the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS), has served as a vital intellectual and cultural bridge between the University of Chicago and the diverse societies, institutions, and scholarly traditions of Latin America and the Caribbean. Earlier this year, the Center officially adopted its new name to reflect better both the breadth of its academic mission and its longstanding commitment to inclusivity, interdisciplinary collaboration, and regional engagement. For more than five decades, CLACS has functioned as the primary hub connecting faculty, students, visiting scholars, and partner institutions dedicated to the study of Latin America and the Caribbean. 

Through an extensive range of initiatives—including courses, seminars, artist residencies, public lectures, exhibitions, workshops, and community events—the Center has fostered critical dialogue on the histories, cultures, politics, economies, and social movements that shape the region. These programs not only strengthen relationships with prominent scholars and institutions across Latin America and the Caribbean but also encourage collaboration across departments and disciplines within the University itself. In doing so, CLACS continues to cultivate a vibrant academic community while deepening public understanding of one of the world’s most dynamic and globally influential regions.