The mission of the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies (CLACS) is to increase knowledge and awareness of Latin America and the Caribbean regions by promoting language and area studies in their broadest sense. CLACS organizes and sponsors outreach events for the University of Illinois students, faculty and staff; K-14 students, educators and librarians; and programs for the community.
The Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies serves community, educational, and business groups by providing curricular materials and organizing workshops on Latin American and the Caribbean themes. At CLACS our mission is to increase knowledge and awareness of Latin America and the Caribbean in the educational community and the general public by promoting language and area studies in their broadest sense.
In addition, CLACS organizes and sponsors public lecture series, presentations and cultural events that are announced through its web page, email, and social media (Facebook and Twitter). Among these activities, we have public lectures featuring distinguished guests, Latin American Story Time at public libraries, schools and community programs. CLACS has annual recurrent activities including K-16 Educators Workshops, IGI Joint Summer Educators workshop, Parkland College Migrant Education Program at UI campus, and Hispanic Heritage Month Celebrations, among others. CLACS Outreach typical holds five types of programs:
- K-14 PDH Series for Educators
- Latin American Story Time
- School visits
- Community Programs
- Parkland College Migrant Education Program
- Co-Sponsored Programs