In 2024, the Institute launched its inaugural Leadership Academy and Performing Arts Bootcamp. Held during Welcome Week, the three-day intensive program brought together dance instructors and ethnomusicologists as master teachers for 36 undergraduate students promoting Mexican arts and culture on campus.
The bootcamp is part of the Institute’s Performing Arts and Culture Program established in 2022 by Associate Director Paloma Garcia-Lopez. The program offers one-credit Latino studies courses in Ballet Folklórico and Mariachi Education, which may count toward fulfilling the requirements for the Latino Studies supplemental major or minor.
Garcia-Lopez noted that the bootcamps help create a sense of belonging among students celebrating cultural expression and community on campus.
From August 20–23rd, 2025, ILS once again welcomed 36 students back to campus a week before classes for its second annual Leadership Academy and Performing Arts Bootcamp. Three simultaneous tracks took place: Leadership formation, Mariachi, and Ballet Folklórico.
Both years, the Leadership Academy was led by Jessala Grijalva, Ph.D., ILS Research Associate, who explained, “the leadership academy was organized to help our students succeed and discuss the needs of our students and some of the gaps and some of the challenges that we see a lot of students facing these days, especially regarding mental health and wellness.”
Workshops included topics such as the responsible use of AI, building a professional brand, and strategies for effective workflow. While many participants are part of the institute’s Latino Studies Scholars Program, Dr. Grijalva also led plenary sessions for all 40 students across the bootcamps, offering guidance on systems and brand building, advocacy, wellness, and planning ahead for the academic year.
The Performing Arts Bootcamp featured instruction from Betsy Corral, dance teacher and former member of the Ballet Folklórico de Chicago, and Victor Pichardo, ethnomusicologist and composer from Mexico City. Both instructors have taught and advised the student groups Ballet Folklórico Azúl y Oro (BFAYO) and Mariachi ND, tailoring the workshops to strengthen each ensemble’s repertoire.
Students shared that the bootcamps are invaluable for starting the semester, especially as they prepare for a performance heavy fall semester. They also emphasized how the experience allows them to represent and promote their culture on campus in meaningful ways.
“I’m really grateful for the opportunity to be at a top-ranking university, but also somewhere that really values and appreciates culture. I’ve been able to be a part of a fantastic mariachi group with people from all over the world,” said Joaquin Lopez ‘27, Latino Studies Scholar cohort 7 and member of Mariachi ND.
The bootcamp concluded with an evening of community bonding at Generations AdventurePlex. The following morning, students showcased progress during the Transformative Leaders Program Welcome Breakfast in the Smith Ballroom at the Morris Inn and later at ILS’ Welcome Breakfast for the ninth cohort of LSSP scholars. Mariachi ND and BFAYO members performed two songs each outside Bond Hall, welcoming parents and the newest cohort of scholars with music and dance.
The Institute aims to empower students to grow as leaders and cultural ambassadors through the Leadership Academy and Performing Arts Bootcamp for many years to come.