By
Shana Heiser
Arizona Daily Wildcat
UA gets funding for next three years
Thanks to an $859,000 grant from the department of education, the UA Latin American Studies program will be able to expand their ability to educate the Tucson community about countries south of the border.
The funds will be used primarily for outreach among high schools and grade schools, such as offering K-12 teachers latin american courses and expanding the curriculum resource library.
"We would really like to have a partnership with the community," said Lisa Schwartz, an education graduate student. "Last year it was a really tight budget. When another organization has money, it can help in those areas."
The Latin American Area Center includes the University of Arizona and Arizona State University. There are 113 Latin American centers and consortiums nationwide, and 21 of these received the award which is renewable for three years.
"It's a very competitive grant," said Raul Saba, associate research social scientist who works in the center. "The successful centers are selected on the basis of their proposal. We had a very strong proposal, and there are a lot of resources here."
The Latin American Area Center worked to make the proposal for the Department of Education, according to Schwartz. Their work will allow the center to expand and influence more people.
"It's a recognition of the importance of the study of Latin America and Mexico, specifically here at the UA," Saba said. "Our border area is a very important area in fostering an understanding and knowledge about Latin America and Latin Americans. In a sense, it's also a tribute to the faculty throughout the university who have done research throughout the years on LA and publishing those things."
Dedication paid off for this consortium between the UA and ASU, because now programs not previously possible can be initiated.
"I know that we've been really interested and pushing for this (grant)," Schwartz said. "And we had a school outreach effort last year. We don't have tons of funds to get out and do extra things."
Even students not directly involved in the Latin American Area Center will benefit from the grant through various classes, speakers and activities.
"We will be able to help other departments within the university create courses or enhance existing courses in regard to the Latin American content," Saba said. "For example, we are going to fund a visiting professor to teach Latin American economics. This is the first year, and each academic year we will be creating or helping create new courses. There will be speakers invited to put on different programs or special events on women in Latin America, Brazil and globalization."
Participants in the Latin American Area Center are expected to share the excitement of Saba and Schwartz, because the grant offers them new opportunities.
"Latin American studies students are dedicated to learning about both sides of the border," said Steven Washburn, Latin American studies junior. "If it helps the department and helps the students, then it will further social and economic activity between the two regions. I think Latin American studies at the UA is a leader in the nation in this area of study."
Washburn has faith in the department's successful future because of what he sees occurring within the department right now.
"The commitment of the university and of the individuals involved in the department, Dr. Saba and Dr. Williams, guide the students into entering the program and let them know why it's a valuable area of study," he said.
An informational meeting and reception will be held on Sept. 14 at 4 p.m and is open to the public. "Everyone who is interested in Latin America may be affected in one way or another," Saba said. The meeting will give details about what the grant means for the UA and specifically how it will impact faculty and students with research, teaching and academic interests.
