Professional Development

Chicanx and Latinx professional conferences and associations

Looking to grow your network, explore career paths, or deepen your understanding of issues impacting Chicané and Latiné communities? Conferences and professional associations offer powerful opportunities to connect, learn, and lead.

Below, you’ll find a curated list of national conferences and associations that support the academic, professional, and personal growth of Chicané and Latiné students. These spaces foster community, highlight cultural contributions, and offer insight into navigating various fields as a student or professional.

Check back throughout the year for the latest updates on conference dates, locations, and registration details. For more information on a specific opportunity, visit the organization’s website.

Chicanx and Latinx conferences

Attending a professional conference can be a transformative experience. These events bring together students, scholars, professionals, and community leaders from across the country to share knowledge, build networks, and celebrate cultural heritage.

Below is a list of conferences focused on issues impacting Chicané and Latiné communities. These gatherings offer workshops, keynote speakers, and opportunities for leadership development. Check back regularly for updates on dates, locations, and registration details. For more information, click the conference title to visit their official site.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

Today, HACU represents more than 450 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain. Although our member institutions in the U.S. represent only 10% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to more than two-thirds of all Hispanic college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

Visit HACU’s website

Chicané and Latiné professional associations

Professional associations offer insight into what it’s like to navigate careers as a Chicané or Latiné individual—and can be a great resource for building community, finding mentorship, and discovering job or internship opportunities.

Below is a growing list of professional associations centered around Chicané and Latiné identities across various fields. These groups are open to all students interested in equity, representation, and professional advancement. Click on each title to learn more about the organization and how to get involved.

Affordable Colleges Online

AffordableCollegesOnline.org produces resources and tools related to higher education with an eye on affordability and accreditation. Helping students and prospective students make the right choices for their unique situations.

In an effort to support our Hispanic community, AffordableCollegesOnline.org has created a guide that provides 35 scholarships available for Hispanic students, information on Hispanic Serving Institutions, affordability tips, and additional resources for children of migrant workers, undocumented students, & first-generation students.

The Latin American Council of Social Sciences (CLASCO)

The Latin American Council of Social Sciences ( CLASCO ) is an international non-governmental institution. Currently, gathers more than 300 research centers and more than 600 graduate programs in Social Sciences and Humanities (masters and doctorates), based in 25 countries in Latin America and the Caribbean, United States and Europe. The Council’s objectives are the promotion and development of research and teaching of Social Sciences, as well as strengthening exchange and cooperation between institutions and researchers from within and outside the region.

Consortium on Latin American Studies Programs (CLASP)

CLASP’s mission is to promote all facets of Latin American studies throughout the world. Its broad range of activities include the encouragement of research activities, funding of professional workshops, advancement of citizen outreach activities, and development of teaching aids for the classroom.

Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU)

LToday, HACU represents more than 400 colleges and universities committed to Hispanic higher education success in the U.S., Puerto Rico, Latin America, and Spain. Although our member institutions in the U.S. represent less than 10% of all higher education institutions nationwide, together they are home to more than two-thirds of all Hispanic college students. HACU is the only national educational association that represents Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs).

Hispanic Scholarship Fund (HSF)

The Hispanic Scholarship Fund provides scholarships to Latino students, as well as related support services. HSF seeks to give students all the tools they need to apply to college, do well in their course work, graduate, enter a profession, excel, help lead our nation going forward, and mentor the generations to come.As the nation’s largest not-for-profit organization supporting Hispanic American higher education, HSF has awarded over $400 million in scholarships and provides a range of ancillary programs for candidates, scholars, and their families.HSF further strives to make college education a top priority for every Latino family across the nation and to mobilize our community to proactively advance that goal – each individual, over a lifetime, in every way he/she can.

National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies (NACCS)

The National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies is the academic organization that serves academic programs, departments and research centers that focus on issues pertaining to Mexican Americans, Chicana/os, and Latina/os. The Association was formed in 1972, during the height of the Chicana/o movement, calling for the development of a space where scholarship and Chicana/o students could develop their talents in higher education. For more than 30 years, students, faculty, staff, and community members have attended the NACCS annual conference to present their scholarly papers–many of which have spun into important intellectual pillars