From left) CAS Interim Dean Magali Michael, Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Prasant Mohapatra, Former USF President Betty Castor, and ISLAC Director Beatriz Padilla. (Photo by Corey Lepak)
The Institute for the Study of Latin America and the Caribbean (ISLAC) held its inaugural Global Symposium in commemoration of its upcoming 30th anniversary.
The symposium, held April 11 and 12 at the College of Education’s TECO Hall, highlighted USF’s achievements and featured multi-day panels with global experts who addressed contemporary issues faced by Latin American and Caribbean communities across the world.
Dr. Beatriz Padilla, director of ISLAC, delivered opening remarks alongside distinguished guests including Provost and Executive Vice President of Academic Affairs Prasant Mohapatra, Former USF President Betty Castor, CAS Interim Dean Magali Cornier Michael, and Community Historian of Tampa Bay Maura Barrios.
“In addition to bringing together a select group of global experts we will get to know these two days, I wanted to show that our faculty, students, and alumni are doing amazing work on issues to pertaining to Latin America, the Caribbean, and Latino studies,” Padilla said in her opening remarks.
“Some events are closer to my heart and this is one of those,” Prasant noted in his opening remarks. “ISLAC is a great example of interdisciplinary and multidisciplinary work. Since [USF is] located in Tampa Bay, with its rich historical culture and geographical and economic ties with Latin America and the Caribbean, it provides a lot of engagement opportunities. Distance is a factor and we do have that advantage. You have an exciting program of rich discussions and insightful conversation. This should just be the start as we continue these efforts in the future.”
The symposium included a range of panels on topics such as migration, educational experiences of Latino students, democracies in Latin America, and health issues among Latino communities, to name a few. The symposium also featured current student research during an interactive poster session.
USF student Matheus Ivanesciuc of the USF Judy Genshaft Honors College shares his poster, “Poorly Functioning Institutions Undermine Development in Latin America: A Comparison Between Two Perspectives on the Same History,” during the student poster session of the symposium. (Photo by Corey Lepak)
Community Historian of Tampa Bay Maura Barrios walked attendees through a history of the Latin American population growth in the Tampa Bay region. (Photo by Corey Lepak)
“ISLAC is about to celebrate its 30th anniversary and we should reflect upon the many ways it has served as a vital resource for interdisciplinary collaborations here at USF. With various community groups across the Tampa Bay region, we are able to share both knowledge, research, and teaching,” Michael said in her opening remarks. “ISLAC is working hard to achieve its mission and this symposium helps to reach into the future.”
Learn more about getting involved with ISLAC and attending future events.