Latina/o/x and Latin American Studies Research Conference

"We Need Tomorrows Just as Much as We Need Yesterdays"
Sabiduría, Latinidad & Community Well-Being

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Description:

_{-Excerpt from “SunRiders” (2021) by US Poet Laureate (2015-17) and MacArthur Foundation “Genius” Fellow (2024), Juan Felipe Herrera. This poem accompanied the interstellar capsule “Lucy” launched by NASA in October 2021. Read full poem here.}

La Academia del Pueblo seeks to deliberately establish connections between the academy, engaged citizens and urban communities. Our 2025 gathering of Pueblo and Academia affords a wealth of opportunities to collectively and critically explore the intersections between Latinidad and community well-being. We envision wellness beyond the mere absence of illness, drawing upon the World Health Organization’s holistic definition of physical, social, and mental health. Inspired by sabiduría, a knowledge ecosystem rooted in Latinx community experience, we seek to cultivate social equity, justice and shared humanity rather than succumb to fear and intolerance.  

Moreover, we are guided by the insights of futurist and ethnic studies scholar Catherine S. Ramírez, Ph.D., in order to give rise to communities that serve as “a beacon of futurity and a balm of security,” we must be mindful of what Latinx are and need to become. As we engage in this urgent work, may we do so while embracing a profound sense of hope and possibility, such as that embodied in the artistry of renowned poet-educator, Juan Felipe Herrera. 

Keynote speaker:

Annmarie Caño, Ph.D.
Professor of Psychology & Former Dean, College of Arts and Sciences
Gonzaga University

Annmarie Caño, Ph.D. is a professor of psychology at Gonzaga University where she formerly served as dean of the College of Arts and Sciences. She is also a licensed clinical psychologist and a certified executive coach. Dr. Caño’s work is informed by 25 years of experience in higher education, including as an award-winning teacher and mentor, a principal investigator on four National Institutes of Health grants, and a two-time Fellow of the American Psychological Association.

Dr. Caño also draws from her lived experiences as a Latina and a first-generation college student to advance change that liberates the academic environment from harmful and exclusionary practices. Prior to joining Gonzaga, she had a fulfilling career as a professor and academic leader at Wayne State University. Her forthcoming book with Johns Hopkins University Press (July 2025), Leading Toward Liberation: How to Build Cultures of Thriving in Higher Education is a leadership guide based on Latin American liberation praxis. Dr. Caño earned her bachelor’s degree in psychology from Princeton University, and master’s and doctoral degrees in psychology from Stony Brook University. Connect with her at https://www.linkedin.com/in/annmarie-cano/ or https://www.annmariecano.com.

Community panel:

Voces: The Southwest Detroit Oral History Project is comprised of a group of community artists, scholars and leaders, including WSU CLLAS alumni Osvaldo Rivera and Aaron Barndollar. This project aims to thoroughly document the history of the Latino/a/x community in Detroit, which has roots going back more than 100 years. With a pilot planning grant from the Kresge Foundation, the VOCES team is working to expand their project to a full-length documentary and inspire others to share their own stories.