El Centro Chicano* + Resources
By: Lilly Kate Diaz ‘20
Bienvenidos!
Here at El Centro*, the goal is: “To empower Chicanx/Latinx students by providing a safe harbor to learn leadership, connecting to and exploring their cultural identity by being socially conscious critical thinkers, acquiring career advice through networking opportunities to help them achieve graduation from their respective programs in a timely manner, and offering transitional support beyond their USC academic life.”
El Centro offers assistance to Latinx student groups. Programs within El Centro range from new student symposiums that help guide a “smooth” transition to USC life, to the annual Xicano/a and Latinx Graduation Celebration as a cultural and unique way to graduate from USC. Here are some ways to use El Centro as a resource:
Involvement
USC Queer People of Color (QPOC)
USC Queer People of Color (QPOC) & allies is a space that aims to foster safer, more open spaces for exploring various intersections of identity. This organization with El Centro takes cool trips around LA and has community panels.
IDEAS (Improving Dreams, Equality, Access and Success)
IDEAS at USC was founded to create a safe space and positive dialogue among undocumented students (AB 540). The organization’s mission is to provide a space where undocumented students may receive the support they need in order to undergo and complete their education at USC. The organization welcomes students from all majors, non-immigrant students, immigrant students, and those who support equal opportunity for all students in higher education. IDEAS at USC seeks to enhance the communication of this issue and create a strong network between faculty and professors that support these students’ struggle.
USC Ballroom and Latin Dance Team
The Ballroom & Latin Dance Club offers members of the USC community the opportunity to explore the art of partner dancing through class instruction, competition, and social events. Classes twice per week focus on the American Smooth Ballroom and International Latin dance styles with classes in the following dances: Cha-cha, Rumba, Samba, Jive, Waltz, Tango, Foxtrot, Viennese Waltz and Quickstep. Social events are created and are to be enjoyed by beginners to advanced dancers! Stop on by and see if you got the rhythm!
These are three of many other ways to get involved with El Centro Chicano. You can check out their website too!
Services
At El Centro, there is a wide variety of services that include the use of its facilities and academic support. And thanks to the contributions from great alumni, El Centro is able to provide free printing to students. The center has been described as a “home away from home”. It strongly encourage students that face unfamiliar situations to come on over to El Centro and seek help.
El Centro offers services and provides information on scholarships and internships, and Graduate School (and trust me, it’s a lot of GREAT stuff).
Programs
El Centro provides unique programs that reflect and tailor to the needs of students:
Project ReMiX is a monthly, interactive discussion series aimed to explore issues facing the mixed race generation- a growing population in the U.S. and especially at USC.
L.A. Power Trips The Latina/o Student Assembly and El Centro Chicano have introduced a new series, the L.A. Power Trips, to provide USC students with the opportunity to expand their horizons and explore the dynamic and rich culture Los Angeles has to offer. The L.A. Power Trips provide students with the chance to continue their learning outside the classroom and directly apply what they’ve learned to real life situations as they make connections between various segments, sectors, and people that make Los Angeles the great city it is. Students will get the chance to learn a bit more about places such as El Pueblo de Los Ángeles (Olvera Street), the Central American Resource Center (CARECEN), and the Non-Profit Homeboy Industries. A member of the USC faculty or staff will always be at hand to help students understand the importance and context of each trip and to answer any questions.
The Latin[x] Speaker Series spans from October to April and includes speakers from a vast array of fields such as entertainment, politics, education and the arts to provide engaging discussions with USC students – particularly the Latino community. LSA launched this series by honoring Ms. Dolores Huerta in November 2010, as well as Diego Luna, Manu Chao, Rosario Dawson, and Maria Teresa Kumar. Through the Latin[x] Speaker Series, prominent professional Latino leaders come to campus and have an intimate talk about their paths to success, their take on the meaning of Latino identity, and their thoughts on the future of Latinos in America. Speakers provide attendees with insight and wisdom they have gained through the various experiences that have helped them advance both in their profession and life.
Last Thoughts
If you’re homesick and would like to reconnect with your roots or are just plain curious and interested to learn about other latinx cultures (or others besides latinx), this is a great place to go, explore and learn. Here are some more deets on where to go and who to contact for more info!
Student Union, Suite 402
3601 Trousdale Parkway,
Los Angeles, CA 90089-4895
Phone: 213.740.1480
Fax: 213.745.6721
Email: lacasa@usc.edu
Mon – Thurs: 9:00 am – 5:00pm
Fri: 9:00 am – 2:00pm & 3:00pm – 5:00pm
*In 2019, the El Centro Chicano student community was renamed LaCasa at the University of Southern California.
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