The Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) at Salt Lake Community College is bridging the educational connection between the United States and Latin America, one student at a time.
CLAS is an interdisciplinary center offering students from all academic backgrounds a hub to explore, research, and engage in meaningful projects through the lenses of other academic disciplines and the cultural landscape of Latin America, even if — or especially if — they don’t speak Spanish.
The center officially launched in Fall 2023, led by Dr. Carolina Bloem, director of the center and associate professor of Spanish at SLCC. Dr. Bloem’s vision for the center is to create a community of engaged students who are empowered through education with an interdisciplinary approach. Students connect with peers from different academic fields, enriching their understanding and appreciation for their own discipline while also promoting broader academic growth and, of course, being introduced to other parts of the world.
Cultivating Understanding and Connection
Nathan Melby, who is planning to pursue a degree in physics or engineering, exemplifies the impact of the interdisciplinary, international approach of CLAS.
Melby recently returned from a study abroad trip to Colombia, which he calls a “profoundly transformative experience.” Before CLAS, he says that traveling to another country where he could not speak the language seemed out of reach. Shortly after arriving in Colombia, he realized that nothing was out of reach — he had just been too rigid in thinking about possibilities.
“My epistemology was challenged, and my philosophies became more fluid, which has prompted me to take a different approach to how I think critically about every other area of my studies,” says Melby, explaining how the interdisciplinary nature of the program brought unforeseen value to his studies and his life.
With a future path being science and math-focused, Melby anticipates utilizing the skills learned through CLAS in his career path to find alternative ways of thinking about certain problems or hypotheses, creating a deeper connection with the theoretical underpinnings of his field.
Education and Support That Inspire Growth
Another student, Jack Carrasco, who graduated in 2024 with an Associate of Science in Architectural Technology and is now pursuing a bachelor’s degree at the University of Utah, found more tangible, physical connections between the lived experiences of people across continents and cultures.
Carrasco’s capstone focused on informal settlements, which are communities that aren’t controlled or regulated by the government and often lack access to basic services and infrastructure. He credits CLAS and Dr. Bloem with playing a key role in helping him find resources that would support his project.
"The best part about the work done with Dr. Bloem in my capstone was finding all the similarities between Latin America and the U.S. regarding urban architecture and the contemporary problems folks faced,” he says.
For Carrasco, who was first introduced to the center through a Spanish for Spanish Speakers class, there was a clear divide in his academic career between the periods of time before and after joining CLAS — though he describes it with the term “unlearn,” which isn’t a typical approach in traditional education.
“The best thing I ever did was take those courses; they taught me how to unlearn,” he says. “The center has empowered me in my academic discipline, allowing me to work effectively, therefore expanding my mindset. CLAS truly has helped me change how I approach my studies and my career.”
Transformative Experiences
Citlaly Guzman de la Rosa is another success story that started at CLAS. Like many students, her educational career was full of uncertainty about where her academic journey would take her. Looking for direction, she became a language tutor. It worked, because it connected her to CLAS and, eventually, led to an opportunity as a McNair Scholar.
Since then, Guzman de la Rosa has presented her research in multiple states as well as traveling abroad to deepen her understanding of indigeneity in Mexican identities. She also developed clarity for her academic path, transferring to Westminster University, where she is pursuing International Studies with an emphasis on Latin America.
During her time at CLAS, she developed a passion for research and was inspired to become an educator herself. “The support provided to me by La Profe Bloem and the Center for Latin American Studies by tailoring it to my unique career path helped me realize that I do not have to struggle to be worthy of success. I can ask for help and still be worthy of it.”
Outside the Traditional Classroom
Beyond the purely academic realm, CLAS provides students with hands-on opportunities, enriching their lives by helping them improve or learn skills — with an international focus, of course. In partnership with the Consulate of Mexico and the SLCC Culinary Institute, CLAS has offered opportunities like an engaging culinary art class under the guidance of renowned traditional Mexican cook Porfiria Rodriguez. Under Rodriguez’s tutelage, students immerse themselves in a traditional cooking experience while learning about the cultural significance of the food.
While food is undeniably connected to culture, language can be considered its foundation, so the center also offers the chance to learn Nahuatl, the language of the Aztecs. By connecting SLCC with the University of Utah, CLAS gives SLCC students access to university-level courses alongside students from the University of Utah and UC Berkley.
A Vision for the Future
The Center for Latin American Studies currently has a partnership with multiple Universities in Colombia, and the future appears even brighter, as it is formalizing the same partnerships with universities in Mexico and Argentina.
Locally, Dr. Bloem sees the center becoming a stronger campus presence, providing more opportunities for students and faculty to collaborate in projects across the Americas. The only limit Dr. Bloem sees is in how many students will take advantage of the opportunities.
“I wish more students would bring their ideas to CLAS to see how we can support them in their academic goals and success,” she says, extending an invitation to students to visit the Center’s library and utilize the resources available. “Let us figure out how we can support you. At CLAS all students and faculty are welcome, and we look forward to meeting you all!”
About the author
Verónica Aguilera Sánchez is a communications expert and SLCC alumni who creates effective communication strategies to connect with different audiences. She is dedicated to promoting positive change and helping Salt Lake Community College succeed through innovative, inviting, and empowering methods.
