Stephanie Brandão Carvalho
A double-major in Romance Language (Spanish / Portuguese) and Global Politics, Stephanie Brandão Carvalho (Somerville, MA) chose a very personal reason to minor in Latin American and Caribbean Studies - it appealed to her both because it provided a mirror that reflected who she was and, equally so, a crystal ball that depicted who she could be.

Benjamin Ersing
An Independent major in International Political Economy of Latin America from Beverly, MA, Benjamin Ersing's interest in LACS first developed while living in Ecuador in 2007 where he carried out his Junior year as well. In addition to working with a human-rights advocacy group along the U.S./Mexican border at the end of his first year, he also focused his energy on managing the General Development Initiative, Inc--a student-run non-profit-corporation which he co-founded in 2009.

Keturah (Keke) Nichols
Keturah (Keke) Nichols (Mobile, AL): majored in Romance Languages with a Spanish Focus and minored in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Dance. Her interest in Latin America began when she studied abroad in Manaus, Amazonas, Brazil.

Claire Rasberry
In her sophomore year, Claire Rasberry (Raleigh, NC) took LACS 101 and fell in love with Latin American culture. And later on, when she studied abroad in Buenos Aires and also when she taught English to Spanish speakers in Lexington, she fell in love with the Latin American people.

Aria Vainstein
A first-generation Peruvian-American, Aria Vainstein (Montgomery, AL) concentrated her studies in Latin American literature, art history, and politics during her four years as a LACS minor. OUtside the class she was active in ESOL and taught English to the local immigrant population.

Lee Tackett
Lee Tackett (Alexandria, VA) has closely interacted with a large Latino population throughout his life in school, athletics, and residence in Northern Virginia. Ultimately, his interest in the Latin American and Caribbean Studies minor came from his interest in in the history of the region following the Introductory course he took as a sophomore.

Erika Vaughn
Erika Vaughn (Chattanooga, TN) focused her LACS studies on the archaeology of the Americas and was highly involved in ESOL, both as a volunteer (Translations Chair and lead General Chair in '12) as well as a work-study student, charged with researching matters on English, Spanish, and TESOL, among others.