La Casa Cultural Latina (La Casa)
Native American House (NAH)
The Native American House serves as a support and resource center for all students, faculty, staff and the community, providing programs and resources that allow people to expand their cultural and academic experiences at the University of Illinois. After nearly 15 years of Native student protests and lobbying efforts, the Native American House opened in 2002 with the mission to build a Native-centered learning community. All students, faculty, staff, and community members are welcomed and encouraged to participate in the many educational, cultural, and social programs tailored about Native American and Indigenous cultures, peoples, and current events. Through signature programming, such as NAH Congratulatory, Native Women in Art, Native November, Fall and Spring Welcome Back, and others, NAH provides spaces for sovereignty to be expressed, practiced and understood in its fullest context.
Since its founding in 1974, La Casa Cultural Latina has demonstrated an unwavering commitment to Latina/o students and the campus community, as well as local and global communities. La Casa reflects the diversity of Latina/o cultures and exemplifies el éxito Latino that shapes the Americas in our contemporary world. The mission of La Casa Cultural Latina is to promote a welcoming and dynamic atmosphere through the development of educational, cultural, socio-political, and social programs that lead to greater recruitment, retention, advancement, and empowerment of Latina/o students.
La Casa Cultural Latina’s programs are designed to address and integrate our six strategic foci: ∙ Cultural celebrations such as Dia de los Muertos & Las Posadas create a sense of cultural pride on campus and Dinner Dialogues present issues of importance to students and the Latinx community at large. ∙ New Student Programs, META, and ally- building workshops create a sustained sense of campus inclusivity. ∙ Programs to enhance networking skills and professional development feature active collaborations with such campus units as the Illinois Leadership Center and The Career Center. ∙ Community outreach programs such as Latina/o Family Visit Day assist Illinois students’ appreciation of the Latina/o community beyond the university, while promoting higher education to Latinx youth.
∙ The creation of the Latina/Latino Alumni Association and other professional outreach programs strengthens the Latina/o community network across Illinois and beyond. ∙ Focus groups and public forums ensure that student, alumni, and community voices resonate throughout La Casa Cultural Latina.
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