Latino and Latin American Studies

Student Resources

Below are some examples of the many CWU programs and clubs that support Latinx students and participants in the Latino and Latin American Studies program.

CAMP

CAMP is the College Assistance Migrant Program. It is a special program offered at Central Washington University that provides financial and academic support services to freshman students from migrant and seasonal farm working backgrounds.

CAMP is designed to help students success as they begin their college careers. Camp students are eligible for a variety of services, which include : financial support, academic assistance, career planning services, and cultural enrichment opportunities.

Diversity and Equity Center

The Central Washington University Diversity and Equity Center enhances a vibrant campus environment through intentional and thought provoking programming that challenges students to strengthen intercultural competencies and develop transformative ideas and skills.

Their goals are to focus on inclusiveness, provide quality services and programming, and foster collaboration with academic departments. They also develop recruitment and retention programs, as well as collaborations with community-based organizations.

McNair Scholars Program

Central Washington University is committed to increasing the number of low-income, first generation undergraduates and underrepresented minority students who earn doctoral degrees. Funded by Congress through the U.S. Department of Education, there are 178 programs on campuses nationwide. CWU is proud to have been one of the original McNair institutions in the country, and among the first in Washington state.

This program prepares participants for doctoral studies through involvement in research and other scholarly activities.

If you are considering a career in research or university teaching, you should participate in the CWU McNair Scholars Program. Your participation in this program will not only enhance your qualifications as a candidate for graduate school, it will give you the opportunity to experience the professional side of academia firsthand.
Program Overview

The McNair Scholars Program is a two-year program of scholarly activities (can be one-year for 1st quarter seniors) that includes:

• One-on-one meetings with a faculty mentor in your field
• A paid, nine-week, full-time summer research fellowship
• A teaching mentorship in your field
• Training in how to write and present a scholarly research paper
• The opportunity to present a paper at a minimum of two research conferences including Central’s SOURCE conference and
• Guidance through the graduate school application process, including applying for fellowships

MEChA

MEChA stands for Movimiento Estudiantil Chinana/o de Aztlan. Our student organization is committed to the empowerment of our gente. As Mechistas, we believe that self-empowerment can truly be sought through cultura, historia, educacion, and political action. MEChA de CWU focuses on promoting higher education to raza youth, and to provide all the essential tools to facilitate this process.

MEChA is a nationwide organization. MOVIMIENTO was chosen in recognition that we are much more than an organization, more than just a network, much more than a coalition: we are MOVEMENT whose aim is self determination (deciding for ourselves, controlling our destiny); whose ideas and actions cannot be stopped until that aim is accomplished.

Scholarships & Grants

CWU maintains a Scholarships page with a list of available opportunities, including resources for undocumented students who are seeking financial aid and awards.

Study Abroad

Studying abroad can be a great way to expand one's understanding of issues related to Latino and Latin American Studies. For this reason, students can apply some Study Abroad credits to the LLAS Minor. You can view general information about CWU Study Abroad offerings at the Study Abroad and Exchange Programs web page.