About LLILAS

Mission Statement

The Teresa Lozano Long Institute of Latin American Studies (LLILAS) seeks to improve knowledge and understanding of Latin America through education, research, and exchange. LLILAS programs serve UT students enrolled in related courses; UT faculty members specializing in Latin America; UT academic support units with major involvement in the region; civic, non-profit, and business associations with activities in Latin America; academic leaders and institutions from Latin America with collaborative agreements with LLILAS; governmental and multilateral agencies dedicated to social and economic betterment in Latin America; and the general public in Texas and the United States whose world outlook includes Latin America. The graduate division offers M.A. degrees, either solely in Latin American Studies or in conjunction with one of several degree programs at UT. The Ph.D. exists to allow for those few students with a clear need for Inter-disciplinary doctoral studies. LLILAS has endowment funds for research which are allocated to faculty across campus, usually for summer travel or travel to professional meetings, as well as funds for student support. LLILAS also sponsors project proposals from faculty to national foundations to support their research and training.

LLILAS’s goal is to excel in every area that is required to: a) to give solid academic training to the most talented youth who wish to dedicate their careers to Latin America, b) enrich human understanding and appreciation of Latin American society, history, and culture, and c) contribute through high-quality endeavors to economic, social, and political advancements of the Latin American region in constructive association with Texas and the United States.