Recent 20th Anniversay Events!
Academic Querencia
Celebrating 20 years of advancing Doctoral scholarship and transformative leadership in Chicana and Chicano Studies
Opening Reception - Friday, 10/17/25
Despedida y Celebración for Maestra Celia Herrera Rodríguez
Symposium - Saturday, 10/18/25
Presentations by graduate student alumni
Gaucho Alumni Reunion, 10/18/25
Celebration with the Chican@/Latinx Alumni Network
Luz Y Lucha Gala - Saturday, 10/18/25
Fundraising and celebration gala for the graduate program
Previous 20th Anniversary Events
The 2023-2024 academic year marks the 20th anniversary of the inauguration of UC Santa Barbara’s PhD program in Chicana/o Studies. As this glorious accomplishment is recognized, the Department continues to produce exceptional educators and future leaders of the discipline.
REUNION DE COLEGAS IV | OCTOBER 19 - OCTOBER 21, 2023
To kick off the 2023-2024 academic year, the UCSB Department of Chicana/o Studies hosted the fourth ‘Reunion de Colegas’, featuring highly-esteemed Chicana/o/x scholars from around the United States.
Attendees included: Aida Hurtado (UCSB), Teresa Cordóva (UIC), Avelardo Valdez (USC), Francisco Hernandez, Jose Calderon (Pitzer College), Francisco Vazquez, Teresa Carrillo (SFSU), Estevan Flores, Chela Sandoval (UCSB) & Larry Trujillo.
During the initial Afternoon Reception on Thursday, October 19, 2023, the Department’s very own Professor D. Inés Casillas welcomed our guests with gift bags and warm introductions.
Over the next two days, this incredible group of scholars held day-long meetings to gauge their current endeavors, the state of Chicana/o Studies, and where they’d like to see the discipline go in the future.
The history of UCSB Chicana/o Studies was presented by current graduate students, Fabian Pavon and Edward Reyes, who impressively showcased the growth and timeline of the Department, including its early development and key moments.
In a second presentation, Professor D. Inés Casillas followed Fabian and Edward with a statistical and narrative outlook on the graduate program throughout its 20 years of success. Upon departure on the morning of October 21, 2023, los colegas reiterated their appreciation to the UCSB Department of Chicana and Chicano Studies for their invitation and hosting the Reunion de Colegas IV.
PROGRESS: MURAL EXHIBIT | MARCH 15, 2024
Cynthia De La Rosa, Diana Sanchez, and Alejandra Mejia-Pulido are working towards creating two murals in honor of the 20th anniversary of the Ph.D. program for the Chicana and Chicano Studies department. They held a progress exhibit to showcase the progress they have made thus far.
BOOK PRESENTATION, "UNDOCUMENTED SAINTS: THE POLITICS OF MIGRATING DEVOTIONS" | FEBRUARY 1, 2024
Dr. William Calvo-Quirós, Associate Professor at the University of Michigan and UCSB Chicana/o Studies alum, was invited to present his new book, "Undocumented Saints: The Politics of Migrating Devotions" to current students and faculty at UC Santa Barbara.
"ENSEÑANZAS Y ELEMENTOS" // MELLON FOUNDATION AFFIRMING MULTIVOCAL HUMANITIES INITIATIVE | FEBRUARY 22, 2024
Indigenous Guatemalan/Salvadoran queer artist in residence, Dalila Paola Mendez, has continuously worked with a small set of Chicana/o Studies graduate students throughout the Winter 2024 quarter to create, design, and paint a mural intended to live in the Department. In expanding on this work and celebrating the 20th Anniversary of the first doctoral program in Chicana and Chicano Studies, Dalila graciously hosted ""Enseñanzas y Elementos" presented by the Las Maestras Center for Xicana(x) Indigenous Thought, Art and Social Praxis.
CH ST 1C CUMPLEAÑERA SERIES | APRIL 10 - MAY 20, 2024
In celebration of the 20th anniversary of the doctoral program, an Alumni speaker series has taken place in CHST 1C. The series will feature: Dr. Jose Anguiano, Dr. Nicholas Centino, Dr. Juan Sebastian Ferrada, Dr. Sara Veronica Hinojos, and Dr. Amber Rose Gonzalez.
DEPARTMENT ALUMNUS RECEIVES SERVICE AWARD | MAY 22, 2024
Congratulations to Dr. Jessica Lyman, recipient of the University of Minnesota 2024 Outstanding Community Service Faculty Award
One of the honors students presenting their project “Who are heroes: Latinx Representation in the Comic Book Industry" One of the honors students presenting their project The honors students received their Chicana/o Studies Honors Students stoles as well as a framed art piece to celebrate the amazing accomplishments of these scholars. One of the honors students receiving her honors stole by her faculty advisor A couple of the graduating seniors award recipients for "Outstanding Undergraduate Academic Achievement Award" and the "Carlos Ornelas Service Award" with Assistant Professor