Pous’s talk was part of a much larger week of events that included other research presentations, cultural events, and public talks, with an epicenter in a huge street demonstration that took place on March 24 throughout the country. The massive mobilization commemorates the day on which the dictatorship started in 1976, and brought together political activists and groups, as well as cultural spectacles and common citizens, to remember the dark years of the dictatorship, so as not to repeat them again. Under the cry of Nunca Mas! (Never again), the people maintain a culture of memory despite the attempt of the current government to dismantle the human rights platform that makes it possible.

In the context of the Cold War, Argentina, like most Latin American countries during the 60s, 70s and 80s, went through a period of military dictatorships that targeted political opponents with the financial and political support from the U.S. From 1976 to 1983, Argentina was under a military dictatorship that utilized irregular methods of repression against its own population. Following the lesson learned at the School of the Americas, the military regime created a system of clandestine centers of detention in which political opponents were brought after being kidnapped in the streets, their workplaces or in their homes. Once in these clandestine prisons, they were tortured, treated with minimum care, uncommunicated from their family members, and most of them were killed and their bodies disappeared. It is calculated that 30,000 people disappeared under this system of repression.

Since the return of democracy in 1983, there has been a grassroots collective effort to recompose the social link by fomenting a culture of memory in the country under the banner of Not forget, not forgive (Ni Olvido ni Perdón). Throughout the years, different human rights organizations worked along with state officials, international support groups, and local community organizations to persecute the criminal legally (over 1000 were already condemned), build and maintain several sites of memory, and provide retribution to the people affected directly and indirectly by it.

Pous’s talk emphasized this collective effort to cultivate a culture of memory across different generations. For Pous, “the task of memory today is an intergenerational endeavor that requires to be open ot listen to the questions and concerns of the new generations.” In his talk, he focused on key cultural products like the films “The Official History” (1985) and “Argentina 1985” (2022) as well as the fiction books “La casa de los conejos” (2006) and “Diario de una princesita Montonera” (2012) to highlight the public debates around postdictatorship democracy that have fed the culture of memory in the country.

Earlier in the week, Pous presented his book, Eventos Carcelarios (UNC Press, 2022), at the University of El Salvador for an audience of professors and graduate students. He delivered a talk about the novel “El beso de la mujer araña” (Puig 1976) in conjunction with a historical analysis of the liberation of political prisoners in 1973, at the return of a seven-year dictatorship that preluded the most horrific one mentioned above. His talk focused on the “connection between an historical event that was lived as if it was the revolution, but it turned out to be the beginning of the defeat of the revolutionary project”. For Pous, the prison cell became “a singular place of reflection and self-critique” that the novel depicts in detail to reimagine the possibility of a radical imagination today.

She presented the work of the Diocesan Commission for the Defense of Nature (CODIDENA), an organization that advocates for the restoration of the identity and spirituality of the Xinka Indigenous people of Central America while protecting nature against extractivist mega-projects. Lemus talked in detail about the case of the peaceful resistance to the Escobal mining project, and their everyday struggles against the government and the mining corporations.

During the talk, she shared the values of her community to protect the earth and how they recognize themselves as Xinka by recovering their language and their culture. She also expressed the difficult reality faced by her community in rural areas as well as the challenges faced by organizers advocating for the Xinka land rights. The talk explored how they were able to stop the development of the mining project after three years of struggle, based on the Indigenous and Tribal People Convention, an international agreement acknowledged by the International Labour Organization, in which indigenous people must be consulted in case of any project affecting their population. In this case, after consulting with the Xinka people, they decided to reject the mining project given the multiple threats to their health and the environment.

Lemus also showed her grassroots initiative with young scientists in the Xinka community to address water contamination issues provoked by mining operations. This project not only capacitates the new generations, but also advocates for an intergenerational collective growth of the whole Xinka people. As a result of this initiative, community members created a system for measuring the degree of contamination in the water, empowering communities to defend themselves in their fight for environmental justice.

Over 50people attended the event. Students from peace and conflict studies, Latin American studies, as well as from different Spanish courses, the Core Curriculum, and philosophy classes learned about the complexity of current environmental struggles in Guatemala. After the talk, students asked several questions regarding the role of the Guatemalan government in this conflict and the recognition of the Xinka identity, engaging in a very fruitful dialogue about the importance of advocating for indigenous rights and environmental justice in peaceful demonstrations. The conference was conducted in Spanish with interpretation performed by Emily Rhyne from the organization Witness for Peace.

Lemus also participated in a roundtable discussion in Spanish with other human rights activists at El Centro. The roundtable focused on Guatemalan history and cultural diversity, generating a constructive dialogue among students learning about Latin American indigenous identities. The speakers talked about the work of their organizations at the local, national and global level, emphasizing the need to construct strong networks of solidarity. Students from the Spanish program engaged in a vivid conversation during the event, learning about the intercultural richness of Central America and the political relevance of the region in relation with the U.S. government today.

This visit was co-organized by the Peace and Conflict Studies program and the Latin American Studies program, and it was sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Cultures; El Centro; the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; International and Global Studies; Isabella Cannon Global Education Center; Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies; the Department of Philosophy; and the Department of Sociology and Anthropology.

On Sept. 24-25, 2025, Chen-López’s two-day visit invited students to reflect on their understanding of Latin American identity and migration as he shared his innovative research on the representation of Chinese communities in Latin American literature, cinema, and visual arts, which is a topic that opened new perspectives for students and community members across multiple disciplines.

Chen-López’s keynote address, “Affective Mapping: Tracing the Chinese Diaspora in Latin American Literature, Cinema, and Visual Arts,” examined how Chinese identity and history are portrayed in creative works throughout different Latin American countries: Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina. His work traces how emotional responses to Chinatowns and Chinese neighborhoods have evolved over time and explores how the very concepts of “China” and “Chineseness” have shifted in response to changing geopolitical dynamics.

The visit extended far beyond a single lecture. Chen-López engaged directly with students in various courses in the classrooms and in El Centro, including “Human Migrations”, “Medical Spanish”, “Growing Up in the Spanish Speaking World”, “In Search of Identity, Innovation and Social Protest Theater”, and COR1100. He also met with student members from the Latin American Studies program, the Spanish Club, and the Chinese Club during a community breakfast, fostering cross-cultural dialogue.

For many students, the presentations sparked revelations about migration patterns they had never considered. Anette Cruz ’28, reflected on how the experience transformed their perspective

“Previously when thinking about migration to Latin American countries it never really came to my head to think about countries like China,” said Cruz. “When I would think about migration, I would think it was mostly within Latin American regions. But after learning about the impact Chinese migration has had on countries like Mexico, Costa Rica, and Argentina, it really made me think about the significance of it. I was able to see that through symbolism shown to me in Mexican readings, Argentinian movies and Costa Rican paintings, and to me I found that very interesting because again, I feel as if I would have overlooked that if I was presented with it. Overall Chinese diaspora in Latin American countries shown through historical contexts and symbolism in art is something new that I learned today, something that has opened my eyes a little more when talking about migration to Latin American countries.”

Chen-López’s interdisciplinary approach demonstrated how overlooked communities have shaped Latin American culture in profound ways. By examining representations of “China” and “Chineseness” in Latin American art, literature, and film, he sparked a dialogue among students and the broader ����app�ٷ���վ�� community on the importance of interdisciplinary research and looking beyond dominant narratives to discover the multiple histories of a society.

The Latin American Research Series is presented by Latin American Studies and sponsored by the Department of World Languages and Cultures; Peace and Conflict Studies; El Centro; International and Global Studies; Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning; Women, Gender, and Sexuality Studies; Isabella Cannon Global Education Center; the Department of Philosophy; and Global Films and Cultures.

In his commentary, Blake analyzed Jamaican Prime Minister Andrew Holness’ historic third-term electoral victory. He highlighted how reductions in crime, investments in infrastructure and debt stabilization contributed to the Jamaica Labour Party’s success. Blake also noted the challenges Holness faces, including modernizing health care, improving education, and sustaining public security. His analysis underscores the broader implications of Jamaica’s political trajectory for good governance, security and economic growth.

The publication can be found

The study examines a significant shift in security cooperation between Mexico and the Caribbean, moving from the U.S.-led “war on drugs” to a regionally driven “war on guns” aimed at curbing illicit arms trafficking. The research highlights CARICOM’s support for Mexico’s historic lawsuit against U.S. gun manufacturers, positioning it as a crucial step in challenging global power hierarchies through South-South security cooperation. By analyzing legal, political and strategic dimensions, the study provides new insights into the evolving nature of regional security partnerships among Latin American and Caribbean states and their attempts to remedy the deadly effects of high homicide rates related to the North-to-South flow of guns across their borders.

During their visit, the Elon community had the opportunity to view Guérette’s film “L’audience” (The Hearing) which documents a Congolese family’s journey immigrating to Canada. The screening was followed by a Q and A session with Carballo and Guérette. Both visitors spoke extensively about their experience with the Canadian immigration system and the process of applying and being granted refugee status in Canada. ����app�ٷ���վ�� students and faculty also enjoyed conversations with Carballo who offered insights about her experience as a writer, translator and interpreter, as well as an immigrant.

Both Carballo and Guérette graciously spoke to classes and interacted with ����app�ٷ���վ�� students. This was a wonderful opportunity to engage students with diverse voices and perspectives on immigration narratives.

The visits were made possible by the generous support from and collaboration with the Fund for Excellence Grunt from Elon College, the College of Arts and Sciences, Sigma Delta Pi Honor Society, Global Neighborhood and the Department of World Languages and Cultures.

The largest exchange program in the country, awards approximately 2,200 grants annually in all fields of study. Recent graduates and graduate students undertake graduate study, advanced research, and English teaching worldwide. Founded in 1946, the Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and people of other countries.

Elon has been repeatedly recognized for the number of its alumni who participate in the Fulbright Program as teachers and researchers and has been named a top-producer of Fulbright students in six separate years. This year, The National and International Fellowships Office supported the largest cohort of Fulbright applicants in ����app�ٷ���վ�� history: 34 applicants.

����app�ٷ���վ�� students and alumni interested in the Fulbright program or other nationally competitive fellowships are invited to contact the National and International Fellowships Office.

Those who received awards this year are:

Leah Schwarz ’24

A psychology and Spanish double major with a minor in Latin American studies, Leah Schwarz has been selected for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. She is from Hudson, Ohio.

At Elon, Schwarz was an Elon College Fellow who spent two years researching Latinx student experiences in higher education. She also served as a student representative for the Latin American Studies Board, and as a Spanish tutor. She is a member of Sigma Iota Rho and Sigma Delta Pi honor societies.
“I applied to Spain because I studied abroad in Sevilla in Spring 2023 and instantly felt at home,” she said. “I loved the Spanish way of life, the relationships I made with locals and the emphasis on working to live, not living to work. I applied to Fulbright because, while abroad, I was a student English teacher at an elementary school and had so much fun working with the students. I loved the way the children were so excited to learn English and I was blown away with how much they knew.”

In the future, Schwarz plans to pursue a doctorate in psychology to become a clinical psychologist. Steve Braye and Leyla Savloff have been Schwarz’s most influential Elon mentors.

Nellie Garrison ’24

Nellie Garrison, an English Literature major with minors in Spanish and����dz����ܲԾ������پ��DzԲ�, has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Spain. From Staunton, Virginia, Garrison was the director of diversity, equity and inclusion for her sorority, worked extensively with Campus Recreation and Wellness, and served as the co-president of Sigma Tau Delta, the national English Honor Society. She is also a member of Phi Beta Kappa.

Garrison became inspired to pursue an English Teaching Assistantship (ETA) after her semester abroad in Spain. “I applied for Fulbright because of my passion for cross-cultural education that I developed while studying and teaching in Sevilla. My interest in instructing English as a second language first grew after working with adults at Alamance Community College during a TESOL (Teaching English as a Second Language) course my junior year. I look forward to working in Madrid for the chance to work with a diverse community of learners,” she says.

Teaching English through the Fulbright program is the first step in Garrison’s journey to a career as a dual-language educator and potential lawyer. Regardless of what she does, her aim is to “create welcoming environments where people from diverse backgrounds can learn and grow together”—a mission that will no doubt be strengthened through her time as an English Teaching Assistant.

Garrison’s most influential Elon mentors include April Post, Jennifer Eidum and Dinidu Karunanayake.

Britt Mobley ‘24

A strategic communications and outdoor leadership and education double major, Britt Mobley has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in the Czech Republic. He is from Raleigh, North Carolina.

At Elon, Mobley was an Odyssey Scholar and a Communications Fellow, served as the Student Government Association Student Body President and worked as the course director on the ELOA Challenge Course. Fulbright is a natural extension of his deep involvement, and he was drawn to the program in part for its definition of holistic student success. “Honestly, I applied out of spite,” he says. “I applied to challenge my own fears and doubt about being good enough and having the most pristine academic record.”

Mobley’s strong, holistic undergraduate career has prepared him well to serve as an ETA at the Business, Hospitality and Vocational School Tabor in Tabor, Czech Republic. After his Fulbright year, he plans to attend the University of North Carolina-Charlotte to earn his doctorate in organizational sciences.

Mobley’s Elon mentors include Evan Small and Israel Balderas, who have acted as cheerleaders and advocates “for [his] academic record and what [he is] truly capable of as a student, even though [his] transcript doesn’t fully portray that.”

Trevor Molin ’23

Trevor Molin, a political science major and member of the Class of 2023, has received a Fulbright grant to pursue a master’s degree in philosophy from Memorial University of Newfoundland in Canada. Molin has spent the past year at the London School of Economics earning their first master’s degree in Gender Studies. During their time at Elon, Molin served on the Student Government Association, worked in the Gender and LGBTQIA+ Center as the inaugural Healthy Masculinities & Relationships student assistant, and coordinated and directed Elon Volunteers.

Molin was inspired to reapply for Fulbright after being named a semifinalist for a Fulbright grant to the United Kingdom last year. “In all honesty, after going through the process last round, part of my decision to apply this time was just from how useful the process itself was, especially as I was looking to apply to graduate programs anyway,” they explain. Embarking on the process a second time led Molin to Canada and Memorial University, where they are eager to engage with new scholars and explore the natural beauty of Newfoundland.

This degree from Memorial, paired with Molin’s first graduate degree from the London School of Economics, will no doubt pave the way for a promising academic career. “I hope to pursue a PhD in an interdisciplinary, theory-based program and hopefully go on to become a professor,” they say. “Who knows what will happen, but I know for certain I want to teach theory, we’ll see where that will take me though!”

Molin’s constellation of Elon mentors includes Jodean Schmiederer, Lauren Guilmette and Liza Taylor.

Eliana Olivier ’24

With majors in environmental and ecological sciences and Spanish and a minor in Latin American Studies, Eliana Olivier has received a Fulbright grant to teach English in Colombia. The Honors Fellow and is from Winston-Salem, North Carolina.

Pursuing an ETA in Colombia is a natural extension of Olivier’s ����app�ٷ���վ�� involvement. Internationally, she spent a semester abroad in the Dominican Republic. Back on campus, she served as an environmental justice intern with the Office of Sustainability. “I applied to the program in Colombia because I was excited about the opportunity to engage with a new culture and because of my interest in the Spanish language and Latin America, specifically,” she explains. “I also applied because of all of the ecological diversity of Colombia, and I thought it would be a great place to further pursue my environmental interests.”

Olivier’s Elon mentors include Kelly Harer and Ricardo Mendoza. “I have had so many incredible professors and mentors who have helped me to succeed and grow in the past four years,” she says. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school.

In addition to these students, five seniors and alumnae have been named alternates for various Fulbright grants. Alternates are still in the competition and have the chance to be promoted to finalists (recipients of the grant) up until the official start of the grant period. We will update this story as we continue to hear news of their progress.

Those who were selected as alternates are:

Heeba Chergui ’22

An alumna from the Class of 2022, Heeba Chergui has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Albania for the second time. Earlier this year, Chergui was selected as one of ����app�ٷ���վ�� first Rangel Graduate Fellows.

At Elon, Chergui majored in international and global studies, minored in leadership studies and was a Leadership Fellow. She dedicated her academic and experiential pursuits to the study of the Middle East and North Africa and received the Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship to study abroad in Amman, Jordan, where she interned with a peacebuilding nongovernment organization. These experiences were invaluable in helping her to receive , which will train and prepare her for a career in the Foreign Service through the State Department.

Her Elon mentors include Kevin Bourque, LD Russell, Sandy Marshall and Maritza Gulin.

Bethany Marzella ’24

Bethany Marzella, a member of the Class of 2024 with a major in international and global studies and six minors (peace and conflict studies, political science, interreligious studies, geography, Islamic studies, and Middle East studies) has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright research grant to Oman. Marzella’s proposed project in Oman would be a continuation of her undergraduate research on sectarian conflict.

At Elon, Marzella was a Phi Beta Kappa Multifaith Scholar whose work focused on the Middle East. She spent a semester abroad in Amman, Jordan, which she cites as the most influential experience she had while an undergraduate. In the future, she is eager to attend graduate school abroad in a field related to politics and international studies.

Marzella’s constellation of Elon mentors includes Sandy Marshall, Tom Kerr, Summeye Pakdil, Amy Allocco and Allegra Laing.

Sarah Mirrow ’24

An economics and applied mathematics double major and a French minor from the Class of 2024, Sarah Mirrow has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright grant to pursue a master’s degree in economics from University College Dublin in Ireland. She is from Arlington, Virginia.

At Elon, Mirrow was an Honors Fellow and Lumen Scholar who pursued two years of rigorous research about how access to abortion clinics impacts female educational attainment. She chose to pursue a Fulbright grant in Ireland specifically because the country has experienced abortion legislation upheaval in the past 10 years that presents a unique research opportunity.

Mirrow’s ultimate goal is to pursue a doctorate in economics. Her most influential Elon mentors include Steve Bednar and Karen Yokley.

Claire D. Przybocki ’24

Claire D. Przybocki, a member of the Class of 2024, has been selected as an alternate for a Fulbright grant to teach English in Poland. At Elon, Przybocki was a double major in international and global studies and economics with minors in Islamic studies, interreligious studies, and leadership studies. She was also a Leadership Fellow, a Multifaith Scholar, a Maryland Public Service Scholar, and served as the vice president of ����app�ٷ���վ�� Arabic Language Organization.

Pryzbocki’s time as a Multifaith Scholar, where she spent two years researching refugee resettlement in Poland, plus her experience working with international nongovernment organizations, motivated her to apply for this grant to teach English in Poland. In the future, she plans to attend graduate school to prepare her for a career in migrant resettlement. Her constellation of Elon mentors includes Brian Pennington, Amy Allocco and Sandy Marshall.

The first film, “Mama Irene: Healer of the Andes” (Directed by Elizabeth Mölhmann, Perú-USA, 2022) was screened on March 2. The documentary follows an indigenous healer, Mama Irene, from the Quechua Culture in the Peruvian Andes. She dedicates her life to helping other people with traditional methods and sacred indigenous medicines. The movie emphasizes a message to believe in the power of individual and collective healing, especially in communities confronting the lack of functional state health systems in remote areas. The screening was followed by a virtual conversation with the film director, Elizabeth Mölhmann, who shared with the audience her experience developing an audiovisual project based on non-Western epistemologies, and highlighted the relevance of empowering indigenous women in present times.

The second film, “They Are Killing Us/Nos están matando” (Directed by Emily Wright and Tom Laffay, Colombia-USA, 2022) was screened on April 4. This film focuses on the persecution of indigenous and Afro-descendent leaders in Colombia, who are confronting the multinational corporations’ mining projects. The documentary denounces the systematic killing of community leaders in the context of the failure of the peace agreement signed by Colombian armed groups and the government in 2016. As part of this event, local and international activists from the U.S.-based organization Witness for Peace joined a conversation with the Elon community. In the session, Witness For Peace activists shared a first-hand perspective of the current human rights issues and environmental crisis in Colombia as well as opportunities for students to be involved in projects seeking to promote solidarity with racial minority communities.

The last screening of the festival was “Los Lobos” (Directed by Samuel Kishi, Mexico, 2019), on April 24. The movie follows brothers Max and Leo, two kids who have crossed the border from Mexico into the United States with their mother, Lucía. They are in search of better life conditions on the other side. In a significant scene of the movie, Max and Leo build an imaginary universe with their drawings and think about Mom’s promise of “Disneyland,” their land of dreams. The film faces the audience with reality from the point of view of the kids, who wanted to experience the so-called American dream but instead ended up facing hard social conditions in the United States.

The foreign film festival of the 2024 Spring Semester offered unique opportunities to promote interculturality and diversity on Elon campus. The movies enriched students’ civic engagement in a global context and encouraged awareness of social, gender and racial issues concerning Latin American subaltern groups.

The 2024 Spring Semester Foreign Film Festival was presented by the Department of World Languages and Cultures; Latin American Studies; and Peace and Conflict Studies. It was also sponsored by Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies; International and Global Studies; the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center; El Centro; Belk Library; ElonDocs; the Department of Sociology and Anthropology; and the Department of Philosophy.

This exhibition consists of thirteen posters created by artists Calixto Robles (Mexico, born 1957) and René Castro (Chile, born 1943). The images concern an artistic initiative called Mission Gráfica based in San Francisco, which has produced graphic art since the late seventies until today.

These artworks have been created in solidarity with Latin American and Latinx communities. They cover diverse topics of historical memory and racial justice, including the representation of indigenous identities and cosmovision, the defense of human rights during dictatorships and civil wars in the 20th century, and calls by social organizations to stop the United States’ support of Latin American violent regimes.

The images have been exhibited in museums such as the Smithsonian Museum of National Art and published in the edited book Mission Gráfica: Reflecting a Community in Print (Art Hazelwood, Pacific View Press, 2022). The posters currently on display on Elon’s campus are reprints from original artworks held at the Prints and Photographs Division of the Library of Congress, which preserves a rich collection of images produced by the Mission Gráfica’s project and other brigades and collectives that expressed solidarity with Latin America through political art.

During the opening of the art exhibition on Oct. 26, faculty, students, and staff shared in a reception at Carlton Commons after attending the 2023 Fall Semester Latin American Studies Research Series. This semester, Hannah Gill addressed the keynote conference at El Centro. Gill is the Associate Director of the Institute for the Study of the Americas at UNC-Chapel Hill and the Director of the Latino Migration Project. She is the author of North Carolina and the Latino Migration Experience: New Roots in the Old North State. Nuevas Raíces (UNC Press, 2018).

In Gill’s presentation at Elon, “Migration, settlement, and integration: Perspectives from North Carolina leaders,” attendees were encouraged to reflect on the causes and current policies concerning the migratory phenomenon as well as on the challenges faced by immigrant populations in the state. Gill presented a unique research project that advocates for social justice for Mexican and Central American populations in North Carolina, as well as shared multiple local opportunities for undergraduates and ����app�ٷ���վ�� community to support these communities.

The LAS Research Series and the opening of the art exhibition were significant instances of promoting diversity and social justice through campus cultural events. The events explored Latin American history and culture from a global perspective and fostered civic engagement with local issues. They also enriched student’s learning experience beyond the classroom thanks to the support of the Center for the Advancement of Teaching and Learning (CATL). ����app�ٷ���վ�� programs’ collaboration motivated a campus reflection with a transdisciplinary focus on Latin American art and immigration issues in the United States. The events were sponsored by WLC, LAS, PCS, El Centro, CATL, International and Global Studies, the Isabella Cannon Global Education Center, and Women’s, Gender, and Sexualities Studies.

The article, “Gangster’s Paradise? Culture and the cost of violence in Jamaica,” explores how a sub-culture of violence is gripping parts of the island triggering annual increases in gun crimes and homicides.

“Jamaica has a subculture of violence, one which is feeding destructive behavioural patterns of rampant murders, shootings, gun crimes, and acts of human destruction,” Blake writes in the column. “The mainstream culture is now being overtaken by an insidious set of mores and values that glorify and provides succour to violence. This subculture disfigures the Jamaican society, and if we continue to leave it unchecked, I fear it will rip the country apart.”

The full article can be found in the