Dear Friends,

As we say goodbye to Dr. Mindiola and head into a new academic year, I enter my tenth year as Director of CMALS and reflect on where the Center began and the work in which we are now engaged. As most of you know, the University of Houston’s Center for Mexican American and Latino/a Studies celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2022, and this past year we said goodbye to the man whose dedication and commitment helped to build the Center and make all subsequent opportunities for it possible, Dr. Tatcho Mindiola. Dr Mindiola had a vision to provide access to the University of Houston for Mexican American students and to any student whose financial need and life challenges were significant. He also wanted to help build a place where students could be taught by people who shared their experiences, and therefore, could help students to imagine their futures differently. He more than realized that dream and has left a legacy that will endure well beyond his time with us.  

CMALS has grown from an idea to a Center and Academic Program that has served as headquarters for a national research consortium, host of a national Latino art event, and one of the most successful and award-winning undergraduate programs in the country to graduate Latino and first-generation students. This past year, with the sponsorship of CFEinternational, CMALS funded 30 graduate students across 6 Colleges at the University of Houston.

We have created Houston’s (and the country’s) first fully bilingual and interactive visual digital archive and public knowledge tool that maps Houston’s Latino art. This cutting-edge innovation is located in satellite sites across Houston and not only preserves the Latino art of Houston but also serves to democratize access to art and knowledge. In short, we are a small studies center that engages in “big” activities.

Most important, CMALS is a home to so many of our students, a place where they feel safe, supported and in which they build their skills and experience care. CMALS is an authentic space with a group of ordinary people who do extraordinary things, serving our students and our community with dedication, energy and love. Our anonymous contributions, acts of kindness, and selfless commitment to the Houston and Latino community provides UH with a model, not only of how to successfully educate first generation students but also how to help them become culturally competent and civic minded members of their communities. I am exceptionally proud to work with my colleagues and as we move forward, CMALS will continue to engage in the work begun by Dr. Mindiola – ever present, completely dedicated and resolute in its commitment to our communities.