Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative
Institution:
University of Illinois Chicago
State:
Illinois
Academic Level:
Graduate
Issue Area:
Retention
Program Focus:
Career/Workforce, Other, Doctoral Training and Professionalization
Website:
Key Personnel:
Olga U. Herrera
Contact Info:
Overview
Established in 2021 at the University of Illinois Chicago, the Crossing Latinidades Humanities Research Initiative’s mission is to enhance Ph.D. persistence and increase completion rates leveraging R1 HSIs, train and increase the number of doctoral students and faculty in the field of Latino/a/x Studies, and lead and support graduate scholarship and emerging areas of inquiry while developing a new cohort of scholars and future academics in the advancement of the field. This one-year training research fellowship inclusive of an intensive in-person 10-day Summer Institute in Latino Studies Methodologies and Theories at the UIC campus seeks to enhance, strengthen, and reinforce third- and fourth-year pre-ABD Latino Humanities Studies doctoral students' research skills, intellectual curiosity, creativity, critical thinking, and productive writing as they develop dissertation prospectuses, complete exams, and defend proposals to become All but Dissertation (ABD) by the end of the year.
Program Description
The program grew from a concern to strengthen the R1 HSI pipeline to the
doctorate and professoriate in response to rapid U.S. demographic shifts, with high Latino K-12 enrollment and subsequent increases in undergraduate and graduate student numbers. To increase faculty and graduate students in Latino Studies, the program provides students with a one-year training and research fellowship. With an initial in-person summer institute in which 34 participants from 20 R1 HSIs receive intense training in Latino Studies methodologies and theories, students draft ideas for dissertation proposals. This is followed by a 9-month training and professionalization fellowship with a Writing LAB to support completion of proposals; workshops on how to successfully navigate the dissertation stage, how to publish articles in academic journals, and preparation for the job market; and a faculty research mentorship to expose fellows to academic research.
Outcome
Academic Success: Of the 27 Latino fellows in the 2022-23 cohort, 100% achieved ABD status and advanced to candidacy. Of the 2023–2024 cohort, 24 achieved ABD status and advanced to candidacy.
Fellowships and Workforce Placement: Of the 27 Latino fellows in the 2022–2023 cohort, four received fellowships and three received post-doctoral positions. Five students who completed PhDs secured academic (4) and professional jobs (1).
