Latin American, Latino, & Iberian Studies

Promo size Lalwani Karthik

Lalwani Awarded Top Honor

As a double major in chemistry and LALIS, Karthik Lalwani embraces a multifaceted education coupled with real-world applications to become a responsible global citizen. As the recipient of the University of Richmond Mace Award, he will have the honor of being the mace bearer during commencement. Each year, the name of the most outstanding University of Richmond graduating student is inscribed upon the mace, a tradition established in 1947.

"During my four years at the University of Richmond, I have been incredibly grateful for the opportunities afforded to me through my studies and community engagement. Working as a medical assistant and interpreter at the local free clinic, Health Brigade, has cemented my passion for medicine. This experience, supported by the guidance of the LALIS faculty, enabled me to study abroad and immerse myself deeply in the Chilean medical system."

"Carrying the ceremonial mace during the graduation ceremony will be one of the greatest honors of my life, a memory I will forever cherish. As I pursue a career at the intersection of equity and healthcare, I am confident that my experiences in the LALIS department will continue to be a significant guiding force. I am deeply thankful to the faculty, staff, and fellow students in the LALIS department for their profound impact on my academic and personal growth."

Feature Stories

Sustainability leaders from around the world spoke at University of Richmond during International Education Week
November 29, 2023
Research & Innovation
Scholars without borders
Experts from around the world participated in UR's International Education Week to discuss solutions to local and global sustainability.
LALIS Student Award Winners

Student Award Winners

Congratulations to the 2024 LALIS Award Winners:

Outstanding LALIS Majors
Ava Halstead, Rachel Matthews

Outstanding Service to the Richmond Hispanic Community
Karthik Lalwani

Outstanding Assistant Teacher in LALIS
Dani Valderrama-Avila

Modern Languages Award, Latin American, Latino, & Iberian Studies
Hailey Williams

Facilities Staff Contribute to Latest Museum Exhibition

The Department of Latin American, Latino & Iberian Studies and University Museums asked custodial staff for their input on an exhibition by Latinx artist Jay Lynn Gomez focusing on the value of domestic workers. Staff shared their impressions on the art and its layout, and provided comments and opinions that were integrated into the exhibition’s educational initiatives, catalogue, and informational panels. 

“Collaborating with facilities employees offered an opportunity for talking about the vital energy involved in a work that implies much more than keeping up cleanliness and beauty of physical spaces, and for exploring the meanings of work and working time,” said exhibition co-curator Karina Vázquez, director of UR’s Spanish Community-Based Learning Program.

Upcoming Events

Faculty Highlights

Dr. David Giancaspro
Giancaspro and Undergraduate Student Published

David Giancaspro, associate professor of Spanish, along with Josh Higdon, ’22, published "First things third? The extension of canonically third-person singular inflections to first-person singular subjects in adult heritage Spanish" in Studies in Hispanic and Lusophone Linguistics.

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Dr. Aurora Hermida-Ruiz
Hermida-Ruiz Presented

Aurora Hermida-Ruiz, associate professor of Spanish, presented “El profesor de español y el sur: el epistolario de Charles de la Peña (Williamsburg, 1828-1830)” at the 43 Congreso Internacional de ALDEEU (Asociación de Licenciados y Doctores Españoles en Estados Unidos).

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Dr. Aurora Hermida-Ruiz
Hermida-Ruiz Published

Aurora Hermida-Ruiz, associate professor of Spanish, published “El ruiseñor justiciero: El ‘antimenendezpelayismo’ de María Rosa Lida en la filología española del medio siglo” in the eHumanista: Journal of Iberian Studies.

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Dr. Laura Fernández
Fernández Published

Laura Fernández, assistant professor of Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies, published “Under the guise of Latinidad: Latinx ambiguity and ethno-racial identifications in Switched at Birth” in Latino Studies.

View Bio

Scholarship Repository Readership

The University of Richmond's Scholarship Repository shares faculty publications with a world-wide audience. The map below shows where articles from LALIS faculty are being read around the globe.

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Contact Information

Mailing Address:
Department of Latin American, Latino, and Iberian Studies
University of Richmond
211 Richmond Way
Carole Weinstein International Center
University of Richmond, VA 23173

Phone: (804) 484-1543
Fax: (804) 484-1544

Department Chair: Dr. Elizabeth Kissling
Academic Administrative Coordinator: Sarah Helen Studebaker
Director of Community-Based Learning: Dr. Karina Vazquez
Director of Spanish Intensive Language Program: Mr. Ted Peebles