University of Illinois Latina/Latino Alumni Association

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University of Illinois Latina/Latino Alumni Association

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IllinoisLLAA is a 501(c)(3) recognized alumni association with the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

10/29/2026

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the Department of Latina/Latino Studies.

We caught up with former professor Alejandro Lugo, who was there at the beginning in 1996 and played a significant role in the formation of the program.

We asked him to share his favorite memories, reflect on the importance of the anniversary and tell us about what he's working on now.

"The Department of Latina/Latino Studies means the world to me; being part, from its beginnings, of such a historically significant academic unit at the U of I has been one of the major highlights of my professional career," he said.

Read his interview at the link in the comments.

10/15/2026

10/06/2026

🧡💙

Congratulations! 🎉

Professors Isabel Molina-Guzmán and Angharad N. Valdivia have been awarded the Charles H. Woolbert Research Award from the National Communication Association for their article "Brain, Brow, and B***y: Latina Iconicity in U.S. Popular Culture."

Learn more at the link in the comments.

09/27/2026

September is Su***de Prevention Month. 💜🩵

From one Illini to another: how are you doing?

A conversation doesn't have to be perfect to matter. One honest question and someone willing to listen is enough.

If you're carrying something heavy right now, no estás sola/o. Help is real, and healing is possible.

Call or text 988 anytime. Free, confidential, 24/7.

En español, presiona dos al llamar o envía AYUDA al 988.

🧡💙

#988

09/15/2026

This Hispanic Heritage Month, we celebrate the rich cultures, histories, traditions, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino communities. From our shared roots to the generations shaping the future, our heritage is a source of pride, connection, and inspiration.

09/14/2026

What an honor to join the 87th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade in South Chicago with Grand Marshal Andrea Medina, LLAA Board Member! 🇲🇽 Thank you to the Mexican Patriotic Club of Chicago for bringing our community together for this wonderful celebration. ¡Viva México! 🎊🎉 💙🧡

09/12/2026

See you tomorrow! 🇲🇽 🎉

MEET THE GRAND MARSHAL

Andrea Medina is a Mexican-American reporter for WGN-TV News, covering both the moments that make national headlines and the everyday stories unfolding across neighborhoods in Chicagoland. For more than a decade, she’s worked in newsrooms across Champaign, Rock Island, Cincinnati and Chicago. Each stop shaping not just how she reports, but how she listens, sees people and carries their stories forward.

A Chicago native from the Southwest Side, Andrea is a graduate of Curie High School and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism. She is a proud Latina journalist who carries her heritage into every story she tells, deeply committed to making sure the communities she comes from are not only seen and heard, but truly understood.

09/09/2026

09/04/2026

Good news! The LLAA Awards nomination deadline has been extended!

If you haven’t submitted a nomination yet, now’s your chance! Nominate an outstanding alum who deserves to be recognized for their leadership, achievements, and contributions.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate someone making a difference! 🏆

Submit your nominations by Friday, September 11th!

09/03/2026

Congratulations to Professor Mirelsie Velázquez, three time degree recipient of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who has been selected for the 2026-2027 OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship!

The fellowship is a year-long program led by the OpEd Project that helps faculty amplify their expertise in ways that contribute to public conversations about pressing issues.

Professor Mirelsie Velázquez has been selected for the 2026-2027 OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship!

The fellowship is a year-long program led by the OpEd Project that helps faculty amplify their expertise in ways that contribute to public conversations about pressing issues.

Learn more about the fellowship at the link in the comments.

Address

Urbana, IL
61801

Website

http://illinoisllaa.org/, https://linktr.ee/illinoisllaa?utm_source=ig&utm_medium=social&utm_content=link_in_bio&brid=YW

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