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As a Latin American and Caribbean studies major at Rollins, you’ll immerse yourself in the diverse cultures, history, languages, natural environment, and political economy of Latin America and the Caribbean and confront the challenges facing this critical region in the 21st century.

Through our interdisciplinary curriculum and hands-on experience in the field, you’ll explore the forces that have shaped Latin America and the Caribbean, learn to think critically about the region and its place in the world, and achieve competence in Spanish, Portuguese, or French. With the personalized support of our expert faculty, you’ll develop a unique expertise on a region with ever-increasing economic and geopolitical significance.

A springboard for careers in everything from business to government, our program is dedicated to developing culturally sensitive, responsible leaders committed to enacting positive social change.


Why Study Latin American & Caribbean Studies at Rollins

  1. 1

    Interdisciplinary Approach

    You’ll examine key issues confronting the region from an array of disciplinary angles—from anthropology and political science to economics and environmental studies.

  2. 2

    Individualized Attention

    You’ll develop your passions and hone in-demand skill sets with the guidance and mentorship of expert professors in small classroom settings.

  3. 3

    International Experience

    Enhance your classroom learning on short field studies to Cuba and Costa Rica and by studying abroad for a semester in Argentina, Chile, or Peru.

Interested in Studying Latin American & Caribbean Studies at Rollins?

Sign up to receive more info about what it’s like to be a Latin American & Caribbean Studies major at Rollins and to connect with a professor.

Jane Lombardi ’11

“My LACS coursework, hands-on experience throughout Latin America and the Caribbean, and work with professors who are experts in their field prepared me well for my Fulbright and beyond. Now, as the director of immigration legal services at a local nonprofit in Chicago, I’m able to relate with the community I serve because I’ve spent time in their home countries and because of the language and service skills cultivated through the LACS program.”

Jane Lombardi ’11

Director of Immigrant Justice Partnerships, The Resurrection Project


Rollins Latin American & Caribbean Studies Careers

Rollins Latin American and Caribbean studies majors are making tomorrow happen at some of the world’s most innovative organizations.

  • Self portrait of Jose Fernandez.

    Jose Fernandez ’92

    President, Florida Compass Group

  • Self portrait of Jennie Jester

    Jennie Jester ’13

    Regional Category Manager, Siemens Gamesa

  • Self portrait of Kajsa Whitney

    Kajsa N. Whitney ’13

    Founder & CEO, Kajsa Nikole Co.

  • Self portrait of Samar Shaukat.

    Samar Shaukat ’14

    Admin Specialist, Meta

  • Self portrait of Enrique Buck

    Enrique Buck ’14

    Assistant Vice President Sr. Analyst, Citi

  • Self portrait of Robert Burns.

    Robert Burns ’18

    Pricing Manager, Circle


Real World Experience

From internships and community engagement courses to student-faculty collaborative research, Rollins Latin American and Caribbean studies majors hone their skills and expertise in the real world.

  • Mi Familia Vota
  • Hispanic Business Initiative Fund
  • Prospera
  • Mexican Government
  • Univision
Rollins College students enjoying lunch by the Lakeside pool.

Apply By February 1

No app fee. No formal essay or test scores required. Automatic consideration for scholarships that range from $15,000 to $32,000. It’s never been easier or more rewarding to apply to Rollins. Don't wait: apply by February 1.

Start Your ApplicationStart Your Application

Popular Courses

Our interdisciplinary curriculum gives you the flexibility to pursue courses in everything from history and humanities to international business and modern languages.


A Day in the Life of a Rollins Latin American & Caribbean Studies Major

“I chose this major because I am interested in immigration law specifically from Latin America and the Caribbean. I find it necessary to be educated on the history of the region in relation to what is currently happening in those countries and why people migrate.”

Giselle Perez Guzman ’20

Immigration Paralegal, La Raza Community Resource

Students discuss conservation in Costa Rica on an environmental studies field study.

Beyond the Classroom

Study Abroad Examine conservation and ecotourism in the rainforests of Costa Rica. Explore social awareness and sustainability in Cuba. Study indigenous peoples and globalization in the Peruvian Andes. From semester- and summer-long programs to faculty-led field studies, you’ll immerse yourself in Latin American and Caribbean culture and enhance your classroom learning in the field.

Community Engagement From working with immigrant communities in Central Florida to installing water filtration systems throughout rural areas in the Dominican Republic, you’ll engage some of the world’s most pressing issues in our backyard and around the world.

Campus Connections Present your original research at the Latin American Latinx Studies Symposium, an annual Rollins-hosted conference exploring the region, its culture, and the challenges it faces. Share Latin American and Caribbean culture with your classmates through campus-wide events like Semana LAC and the Hispanic Film Festival. LACS majors have an array of options to apply their knowledge in the real world without leaving America’s most beautiful campus.


A group of Rollins students conduct a survey in rural Dominican Republic.

What You Will Learn

The Latin American and Caribbean Studies Program provides a holistic and interdisciplinary course of study that explores the diverse cultures, history, ideologies, languages, literature, natural environment, and political economy of Latin America and the Caribbean as well as the challenges facing this critical region in the twenty-first century.

Explore Program Explore Program

Keep Exploring

Take a deeper dive into Latin American and Caribbean studies at Rollins by meeting your future professors, seeing our grads in action, and sitting in on a class.

Rollins College history professor Joshua Savala

July 28, 2023

Savala Earns Second Book Award from Latin American Studies Association

History professor Joshua Savala earns a second accolade from the Latin American Studies Association for his book on Peruvian-Chilean social history.

Savala Earns Second Book Award from Latin American Studies Association
Neny Lairet ’21

December 07, 2021

My Rollins Gateway: Filling Her Plate to Fill Her Cup

Neny Lairet ’21 found her ideal career path by pursuing an interest in international business and embracing opportunities to be a leader at Rollins.

My Rollins Gateway: Filling Her Plate to Fill Her Cup
The Latin American Student Association student executive board

October 11, 2021

Club Spotlight: Latin American Student Association

Take a look behind the scenes of the Latin American Student Association, which recently welcomed a new batch of student leaders.

Club Spotlight: Latin American Student Association

Expert Faculty

Our faculty are as passionate about Latin America and the Caribbean as they are about grooming the next generation of global citizens. Whether their expertise lies in anthropology or environmental studies, political science or music, our professors are dedicated to enriching students’ lives inside and outside the classroom.

Latin American & Caribbean Studies Program

Winter Park, FL32789

Telephone:407.646.2295

  • Self portrait of Barry Allen

    Barry Allen, PhD

    Associate Professor of Environmental Studies

    Research interests: Environmental economics, national park policy, sustainable development, and globalization

  • Self portrait of Dexter Boniface

    Dexter Boniface, PhD

    Professor of Political Science, Program Director

    Research interests: Inter-American relations, Brazilian politics, and democracy promotion efforts in Latin America

  • Shan-Estelle Brown portrait

    Shan-Estelle Brown, PhD

    Associate Professor of Anthropology

    Research interests: Health care and sexuality in Latin America and the Caribbean

  • Self portrait of Gisela Carbonell.

    Gisela Carbonell, PhD

    Curator, Cornell Fine Arts Museum

    Research interests: Latin American artists and museum collections

  • Self portrait of Rosana Díaz-Zambrana

    Rosana Díaz-Zambrana, PhD

    Professor of Spanish

    Research interests: Contemporary Latin American and Caribbean popular culture and cinema, particularly horror and experimental genres

  • Self portrait of Stephanie Gonzalez

    Stephanie Gonzalez Guittar, PhD

    Associate Professor of Sociology

    Research interests: Latinx social issues, including poverty, homelessness, and gender equality

  • Ashley Kistler portrait

    Ashley Kistler, PhD

    Professor of Anthropology

    Research interests: Cultural, linguistic, and public anthropology, Mesoamerica, Maya culture, gender, cultural revitalization, identity, and immigration

  • Self portrait of Patricia Tomé

    Patricia Tomé, PhD

    Professor of Spanish

    Research interests: 20th- and 21st-century Latin American literature, Cuban and Cuban American literature, gastronomy, and film

  • Dr. Eldad Levy Headshot

    Eldad Levy, PhD

    Alfred J. Hanna Distinguished Postdoctoral Fellow

    Research interests: Economic sociology, political violence, urban insecurity, and security markets in Latin America

  • A blue icon featuring a silhouette of a person.

    Andrés Romero, PhD

    Assistant Professor

    Research Interests: Cultural/medical anthropology, violence, place and memory, drug rehabilitation, the anthropology of life/death, visual culture, literary ethnography, Colombia