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Research and Graduate Studies @ KU

Updates from the Office of Research and Graduate Studies — January 2008

National conference includes graduate student paper competition

KU will host a major, national, interdisciplinary conference in Lawrence Feb. 8-9 in the area of U.S. Latino/a studies.  The conference, “Nuestra America in the U.S.?,” coincides with the launching of a new KU academic minor in U.S. Latino/a studies.  The conference will take place in the KU Memorial Union.  Complete information is available.

Featured speakers include:

  • Helena María Viramontes, Cornell University
  • Juan Flores, New York University
  • Emma Pérez, University of Colorado at Boulder
  • Roberto Suro, University of Southern California
  • Pierrette Hondagneu-Sotelo, University of Southern California
  • Suzanne Oboler, City University of New York

Papers will be presented on a wide array of topics by researchers representing more than 80 universities and other institutions in the U.S. and elsewhere. 

All graduate students presenting papers at the conference are eligible for the Katzman-Yetman Award, named in honor of David Katzman and Norm Yetman, professors in the American Studies Program at KU.  The winner will receive a $250 prize, sponsored by the Mid-America American Studies Association. KU graduate students presenting at the conference include:

  • Sandra Cox, English
  • James Diego Frazier, Spanish and Portuguese
  • Anna Gonzales, English
  • Chloe Jones, English
  • Susana Mariscal del Villar, Social Welfare
  • Shannon Portillo, Public Administration
  • Erika Sandoval, Latin American Studies
  • Stephanie Scurto, English
  • Justin Sevenker, English
  • Cote Smith, English

More than 30 other KU graduate students and faculty members are presenting papers and/or moderating sessions at the conference.

Major KU co-sponsors of the conference are the Department of English, the Office of the Provost, KU Continuing Education, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the Hall Center for the Humanities, the Hispanic American Leadership Organization (HALO), and Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority.  Support is also being provided by national foundations and other KU academic units.