CLSA
Contact Us
Phone | 909 621-8044
Email | clsa@claremont.edu
Hours | Monday-Friday 8:30 am – 5:00 pm
Winter Break Closure: December 20 – January 4
Chicano Latino Student Affairs
Tranquada Student Services Center – 2nd Floor
757 College Way
Claremont, CA, 91711
Community Building
New Student Retreat: A two-day community building experience that strengthens the network for first year students across the 5Cs. Located in a scenic mountain setting, the retreat is an invaluable opportunity for all participants to interact and create friendships. Team-building activities such as sponsor-led sessions, campfires, volleyball, nature hikes and crystal-clear evenings under the stars are enjoyed by all. New students begin the academic year invigorated and with a strong sense of belonging needed to thrive at The Claremont Colleges.
Parents’ Weekend: Parents’ weekend is hosted by each of the five undergraduate colleges. Our Center hosts a welcome reception for parents and families on the Friday before festivities begin to welcome families into the space.
Study Breaks: Our center hosts a number of study-breaks during the year which include light refreshments and crafts. Students have a chance to relax and refresh by taking a few moments away from the books.
End of Year Celebration: It includes a ceremony and reception for seniors, graduate students, and their families. This celebration honors and highlights the achievements of students across the 7C’s.
Alumni Sessions and Panels: The sessions provide an opportunity for undergraduates to meet with alumni to discuss careers, postgraduate perspectives, and build networks for professional growth and development.
Leadership Development
Sponsor Program
- Meet the CLSA Sponsor Team
- Sponsors are returning students whose goal is to mentor the incoming class with the transition to college life. They serve as a supportive resource through the freshman year and receive intensive training that provides the background to effectively and proactively deal with new student issues and concerns. The sponsor application will be available in early March.
Graduate Student Brown Bag Series
- Graduate Student Brown Bag Series: As a resource to students from Claremont Graduate University (CGU) and Keck Graduate Institute (KGI) our center hosts a graduate brown-bag lunch series during the academic year. The workshops take place in a conducive and supportive environment in which graduate students present their research to their peers as a means of receiving constructive feedback. This is a wonderful opportunity for scholarly development and intellectual growth.
Events
- A calendar of events that celebrates the diaspora by featuring film speakers, lectures, and social events across the 7C community.
Dia de los Muertos Celebration
- In collaboration with different offices and departments across the 7C’s our center celebrates this festive occasion that honors those who have passed away and the continuation of life. With an emphasis on joy rather than sadness, Dia de los Muertos comes alive with vibrant colors in an altar adorned with photographs, candles, fruit, bread, orange marigolds, bright papel picado (paper cut-outs), sugar skulls, and many treasured belongings.
Dolores Huerta and Cesar Chavez Commemoration
- Celebrates the life and accomplishments of the leaders of the United Farm Workers Union. Speakers, lectures, dinners, and musical events are all part of the extensive 7C celebration.
Virgen de Guadalupe Celebration
- An annual celebration in honor of La Virgen de Guadalupe, the Patroness Saint of the Americas, co-hosted every December with the Chaplain’s Office. The commemoration includes a mass, followed by a meal. In addition to being a spiritual event, this is also a cultural celebration throughout the Americas.
Art Workshops
- Students are able to participate in a variety of different art workshops and activities throughout each semester. The art workshops provide students with stress relief and a creative outlet.
Guest Speakers and Lecturers
- The academic year is augmented with speakers addressing important issues to students and the greater campus community. Over the years we have invited musicians, poets, authors, doctors, and lawyers to present to our students on a variety of topics.
Wellness Initiatives
- Our center partners with the Monsour Counseling and Psychological Services department to offer students at the 5 colleges free workshops and drop-in mental health services.
Academic Support
Graduate and Professional Schools Success Series
- Workshops
- Fellowships/Internships
- Graduate School
- Law School
- Medical School
- Annual Post Baccalaureate Conference
- Post-Grad/Career Advising
- Campus Visits
- Internship/Fellowship Resource Database
Student and Alumni Highlights
Our alumni support past and current Claremont Colleges students. Our current Instagram page highlights various alumni and their accomplishments upon graduating from Claremont.
View our upcoming Alumni Events:
For our CLSA Alumni Reception on May 1st, 2026, RSVP HERE.
More Information
1960’s: Striving for Representation
In 1969 the Mexican-American Studies Center was established as a result of Chicano student movement. The Council of Presidents designated the center as a central program in February 1969. The center included both an academic and a student affairs component. The first director of the center was Ron Lopez who had oversight upon the faculty and staff. Augustina (Tina) Lopez Snideman was appointed dean of students and was responsible for student programming. The first center was located in a small house on Dartmouth Avenue and 11th Street.
1970’s: Being Part of the Social Fabric at the Claremont Colleges
In the fall of 1971, the Mexican-American Studies Center became the Chicano Studies Center. Funding was on a year-to-year basis. Ed Quevedo, the second director, provided the leadership and guidance that firmly established the center. In the 1970’s, there was a significant increase in the enrollment of Chicano students. As the student numbers increased so did the activities and student programs created by the center. In response, an additional program coordinator position was recommended for the Chicano Studies Center. By 1973, the center was housed in the basement of the McAlister Center.
1980’s: Identity
In 1980, the student affairs component and the faculty were officially established as individual departments. The student component became the Chicano Student Affairs Center and the staff included a director/dean as the chief administrative officer, an assistant dean and an administrative assistant. The academic component became the Intercollegiate Department of Chicano Studies (IDCS) with a faculty chair.
1990’s: Diversity
In 1998, under the TCCS leadership of Mr. Mitch Dorger, the center was moved from the basement of the McAlister Center to a new location on the corner of 7th Street and College Way. The Student Deans Committee (SDC), in conjunction with the Council of The Claremont Colleges, endorsed the focus on academic support and retention as the mission for Chicano/Latino Student Affairs (CLSA).
2000-2010: Cultura
CLSA moved to the Smith Campus Center in the summer of 2004 and was housed there for one year, while its permanent home was under construction. During the 2004–05 academic year, CLSA went through an extensive program review process. The review resulted in a new direction for CLSA that emphasized more social/cultural programming. CLSA added a significant number of social/cultural activities such as the Latino Heritage Month celebration and the Cesar Chavez Commemoration program. The CLSA Sponsor Program, lectures, alumni sessions, workshops, community lunches and leadership development programs highlight the program offerings. CLSA moved to its permanent location on the second floor of the Tranquada Student Services Center in the summer of 2005.
Since its establishment in 1969, Chicano/Latino Student Affairs has played an integral role in the lives and experiences of Chicano/Latino students in Claremont. Chicano Latino students comprise a thriving and vibrant community that reflects the diversity of the fastest growing group in the U.S. CLSA promotes the concept of “familia” within the Chicano/Latino community and encourages the educational goals of students.
2010-Present: The Shift
The Chicano Latino Student Affairs (CLSA) has transitioned into a well-rounded focus of cultural, academic and professional support for students. Our resource center provides students with valuable information about scholarships, graduate programs, professional schools, fellowships, internships and senior thesis. In addition, CLSA staff provides resources to assist with the process of applying to graduate and professional schools.
Café con Leche
Café con Leche seeks to provide a forum for the discussion of social, political and economic issues that affect women, particularly those of Latina descent. We intend to raise awareness of diversity and its implications in our immediate community and surrounding areas. We dedicate ourselves to social justice by developing a critical lens through which we can analyze ourselves and the world. We welcome all members of the Scripps community regardless of racial and cultural heritage to join us in this pursuit.
Email: cafeconleche@scrippscollege.edu
Instagram: @cafeconlechescr
The Claremont College SACNAS Chapter (Society for Advancement of Hispanics/Chicanos and Native Americans in Science)
The Society for the Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics & Native Americans in Science is dedicated to advancing minorities and their supporters in science. We are a group of individuals interested in quality science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) research, teaching, leadership, and policy. SACNAS Claremont Colleges seeks to help increase and retain the number of minority students seeking degrees in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. It also pursues to increase the awareness of minority students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics in the Claremont Colleges through different activities and events.
Faculty Advisor Email: Konrad.Aguilar@pomona.edu
IDEAS (Pomona)
IDEAS at The Claremont Colleges aims to foster a vibrant community for immigrants and help bring increased awareness of immigrant struggles to The Claremont Colleges community. It is the purpose of IDEAS to organize, promote, encourage and further the education of immigrant students by providing social networks, and academic and financial resources to students. IDEAS plans to carry out, foster and advocate for an accessible environment in university education for all immigrants.
Email: ideasexec@ideasclaremont.org
Amor Y Apoyo
Amor y Apoyo aims to create a space for CMC Hispanic/Latina identifying women and femmes to build a sisterhood amongst ourselves. We aim to create a safe space to share-on campus resources, promote self care, love, community and partner with the broader Latinx community. We strive to serve as a support system for Latina women and femmes on campus through our close knit events, bonding activities, and fostering a strong sense of unity among each other.
Instagram: @amorapoyo.cmc
¡Mi Gente!
¡Mi Gente! works to create a welcoming and inclusive community that will support all students who identify as Latinx at CMC in gaining the knowledge and skills necessary to improve their lives and their communities. ¡Mi Gente is open to all interested students as we strive for the educational, cultural, economic, political, and social empowerment of Latinx students within our community. ¡Mi Gente! works to provide a space for Latinx students to discuss identity and issues facing the Latinx community. All while fostering collaboration and empowerment in surrounding communities outside of the Claremont Colleges.
Email: migente@students.claremontmckenna.edu
Instagram: @migente.cmc
5C Latinx in Tech
We are a 5C organization hoping to bring together the Latinx Students in Tech community. Join us to meet and network with other students through our social events. We’ll also have monthly events on professional development, career panels, speakers, and more! Anyone is invited even if you’re not majoring in a tech-related field! As long as you have an interest or hope to work varying jobs in a tech company we encourage you to join.
Instagram: @5clatinxintech
Calle6
Calle6 is a vibrant and welcoming club that celebrates the Latin American experience across the Claremont Colleges (7Cs). Our goal is to bring together those who share a connection with Latin America, whether through heritage, culture, or a desire to learn more. A unique feature of Calle6 is our primary use of Spanish for communication, providing a space for members to speak their native language and connect with others who share similar experiences. From special events to weekly dinners, Calle6 offers opportunities to celebrate and explore the richness of Latin American culture. If you’re interested in immersing yourself in the diversity and beauty of Latin America while strengthening your Spanish skills, Calle6 welcomes you with open arms!
Instagram: @5c.calle6
5C LMSA (Latino Medical Student Association)
The 5C LMSA mission is to increase latine voice in healthcare through proving resources and a safe space for pre-health latine sutdents to foster a community at the 5C’s. Any student on any pre-health track is welcome to join! The club will not be officially running until the Fall Semester.
Email: claremontmsa@gmail.com
SALSA Mudd
Society for the Advancement of Latinx Students At Mudd (SALSA Mudd) is the Latinx affinity group based at Harvey Mudd College. The club strives to promote the inclusion, acceptance, and celebration of all Hispanic/Latinx cultures on campus. We hold events such as prof. dinners, weekly dinners, parties, study breaks, career events, and more!
Email: salsa-mudd-board-l@g.hmc.edu
Instagram: @salsa_mudd
Pitzer Latinx Student Union (LSU)
The Pitzer Latinx Student Union (LSU) is a student-run organization that aims to build a sense of community among Latinx students on campus. Since its establishment in 2001, the Pitzer Latinx Student Union has been dedicated to organizing and celebrating the diverse pan-ethnic Latine community through cultural, social, and academic events, programming, and festivals. The PZ LSU is proud to host the Quinceañera, its annual Rockabilly, and “El Mercadito,” which bring together students and community members for moments of celebration and cultural exchange. We acknowledge that Pitzer College is located on occupied Tongva land and local tribes.
Email: lsupres@students.pitzer.edu
Pomona LXA: LatinX Alliance
Latinx Alliance (LXA) strives to create a collective space that supports and empowers all self-identifying Latinx students, staff, and faculty at Pomona College. Creating such an environment is an endless process of love, patience and awareness. Considering the isolation many Latinx students feel on campus, particularly if they are of Indigenous, Afro-, Caribbean, Central American and/or South American descent, we work to develop dialogues in which people can deconstruct norms of the systems of domination in which we live. Overall, we seek to create experiences that sustain our community and our allies academically, mentally, and emotionally. From this space of critical awareness, LXA seeks to create social and institutional change that brings together the Latinx community that is present at Pomona College.
Email: lxa.pomona@gmail.com
Instagram: @pomonalxa
Latines in Law
The Latines in Law Club is dedicated to fostering a supportive community for Latine students in law by providing mentorship, networking, and educational resources that empower their academic and professional journeys. We advocate for representation, celebrate our heritage, and cultivate leadership to build a more inclusive and equitable legal landscape.
Email: latinesinlaw@gmail.com
Instagram: @latinesinlaw
Association of Latino Professionals for America (ALPFA) Claremont
“To empower and develop leaders of character for the nation in every sector of the global economy.”
Email: alpfaclaremontcolleges@gmail.com
Instagram: @alpfa.claremont