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Graduate Working Group

The ILS Graduate Student Affiliateship highlights a cohort of interdisciplinary graduate students whose research embodies the Institute for Latino Studies' mission: fostering "a deeper understanding of Latino communities" through research, community building, and engagement, both in academia and beyond.
 
The ILS Graduate student community runs its own working group, the ILS Graduate Working Group, where students can dialogue with their peers in an interdisciplinary setting and workshop material from conference abstracts to working papers to practicing conference presentations, as well as invite outside scholars.
 
If you are interested in joining the affiliateship program, please reach out to the current leadership to inquire about joining the ILS Graduate Working Group.
 

As members of the ILS Graduate Working Group, you are considered affiliated with the Institute for Latino Studies as long as you satisfy the requirements listed below.

1) Attend at least three ILS Graduate Working Groups per semester (ONLY required when in residency at ND),

2) Present your work at least twice over your time at Notre Dame (if you co-organize, inviting speakers or hosting events, this will satisfy this requirement as well). Zoom sessions will be facilitated for those interested in participating while abroad or out of residency!

Leadership:

2026-2025 Co-Leads: Paulina Hernandez Trejo & Nick Hernandez
2025-2026 Co-Leads: Paulina Hernandez Trejo & Victoria Basulto
2024-2025 Co-Leads: Manuel Rodriguez (Fall 2024-Spring 2025), Victoria Basulto (Spring 2025), Paulina Hernandez Trejo (Spring 2025)
2023-2024 Lead: Manuel Rodriguez
 

Current Members

  • Alejandro Gonzalez Ruiz: A man with dark hair smiles broadly, showing teeth. He wears a blue and white plaid shirt and a dark gray v-neck cardigan.

    Alejandro González Ruiz

    He/Him

    Political Science, Ph.D.

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  • Amirah Orozco Headshot: A woman with dark curly hair wears a black blazer and a gold necklace with an oval pendant.

    Amirah Orozco

    She/Her

    Theology, Ph.D.

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  • Gessica de Freitas Headshot: Young woman with long, dark curly hair smiles brightly, wearing a white off-shoulder top, against a warm brown wood panel background.

    Gessica de Freitas

    She/Her

    Political Science, Ph.D.

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  • Gloria Guisbert: A smiling young woman with dark hair wears a tan blazer with Bolivian and US flag pins, and an ID badge. She stands outdoors in front of rows of flagpoles flying various international flags over green grass.

    Gloria Guisbert

    She/Her

    Theology

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  • Jada Grisson: A young woman with dark braids and glasses smiles while leaning on a white stone balustrade. She wears a grey, yellow, and black plaid jumpsuit over a white shirt, with a blue lanyard. Tall city buildings and green trees in the background.

    Jada Grisson

    She/They

    English, Ph.D.

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  • Juan Vargas Hernandez Headshot: Young man with dark hair in a navy suit, white shirt, and light pink tie, smiling gently. His lapel features a boutonnière with a pink rose, blue ribbon, and purple accents against a blurry green background.

    Juan Camilo Vargas Hernandez

    History, Ph.D.

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  • Julia Luchi Hedshot: A young woman with long, wavy dark brown hair and a broad smile looks directly ahead. She wears a light blue and white striped collared shirt and a gold chain necklace.

    Julia Carvalho Rangel Luchi

    She/Her

    Psychology, Graduate Program

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  • Karla Maravilla Headshot: A young woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top and a nose ring, sits on a bench outdoors. She holds an open book with a burgundy cover and smiles gently, surrounded by green trees

    Karla Yaritza Maravilla Zaragoza

    English, Ph.D.

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  • Manuel Rodriguez Headshot: Young man with dark curly hair, mustache, goatee, and gold-rimmed glasses smiles, wearing a red collared shirt.

    Manuel Rodriguez

    He/Him

    Sociology, Ph. D

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  • Nick P Hernandez Headshot: A young man with a broad smile, wearing a navy suit jacket, white shirt, and brown belt, leans against a brick wall.

    Nickolas P. Hernández, Jr.

    He/Him

    History, Ph.D.

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  • Paulina Hernandez Trejo: A young woman with long, wavy dark hair and clear-framed glasses smiles gently. She wears a white collared shirt, gold hoop earrings, and a delicate gold necklace with a charm.

    Paulina Hernández-Trejo

    She/Her

    English, Ph.D.

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  • Ryan Snyder Photo: A smiling man with a beard, glasses, and dark shirt leans out of a light grey brick wall opening, resting his arms on a reddish-brown ledge.

    Ryan Snyder

    He/They

    History, Ph.D.

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  • Victoria Basulto Headshot: A smiling young woman with dark hair and blonde highlights wears a black blazer, white shirt, and layered silver necklace. She is in front of a dark brown wooden wall.

    Victoria Basulto

    She/Her

    History, Ph.D.

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