Departmental News

Posted:  Oct 27, 2023 - 11:00am

The Latin American & Iberian Institute (LAII) at The University of New Mexico has been awarded a Title VI Undergraduate International Studies and Foreign Language Grant from the U.S. Department of Education. UNM is one of only 13 institutions nationwide to receive this award in 2023.

UNM will receive $525,867 over a period of three years to support area studies and language instruction in Arabic, Mandarin Chinese, Nahuatl, Portuguese, Quechua, Swahili, and Yucatec Maya. The funds will also be used for curriculum development, faculty professional development, study abroad opportunities, undergraduate international research, and outreach activities. 

“We are delighted to receive this award from the U.S. Department of Education and look forward to working with colleagues across campus and at CNM to elevate international education and provide global learning opportunities for students at both institutions,”  Frances Hayashida, LAII director.

The grant initiatives, developed in collaboration with Central New Mexico Community College (CNM), the UNM International Studies Institute, the UNM Language Learning Center, the Global Education Office, and other campus partners, will promote and strengthen foreign language training, deepen knowledge of world areas across the disciplines, and prepare undergraduate students for the global workforce.