About LASC

The Latin American Studies Center (LASC) at the University of Maryland originated as a research center and academic program in 1969. Since then, it has been a dynamic research center on the College Park campus and is well known internationally. In 1996, an undergraduate Latin American Studies Certificate program was established and the first cohort of LASC students signed up in fall 1997 (see our 2014-15 Terrapino for a detailed article on our history). The Certificate program continued in 2017, along with research support, academic presentations, student and faculty conferences, and co-curricular cultural events. The Minor program started in the spring of 2019. The minor helps prepare students for careers related to Latin America.