News & Events
The Border: History, Memory and the Present/La Frontera: Historia, Memoria y Presente
CALL FOR PAPERS/CONVOCATORIA
XI INTERNATIONAL COLLOQUIUM OF THE MEXICAN NORTHEAST AND TEXAS
September 23-26, 2026
The University of Texas Rio Grande Valley (UTRGV) in Edinburg, TX
The XI COLOQUIO INTERNACIONAL DEL NORESTE MEXICANO Y TEXAS invite papers examining how the peoples of the Noreste Mexicano y Texas borderlands have made meanings for themselves and how this understanding has changed throughout history, has impacted memory, and has shaped the present. / El XI COLOQUIO INTERNACIONAL DEL NORESTE MEXICANO Y TEXAS invita a presentar ponencias que examinen cómo los pueblos de las tierras fronterizas del Noreste Mexicano y Texas han construido significados para sí mismos, cómo esta comprensión ha cambiado a lo largo de la historia, ha impactado la memoria y ha moldeado el presente.
Review the Call for Papers / Descargar la Convocatoria
Submit your abstracts here / Enviar resúmenes aquí
For questions on the 2026 Colloquium at UTRGV email/Para preguntas sobre el Coloquio 2026 en UTRGV, escribe a:
internationalcollloquium11@gmail.com
https://www.coloquionorestexas.com/
2026 NACCS—Tejas Foco Conference
February 26th-28th
University of Houston-Downtown
Houston, Tejaztlan
The 2026 National Association for Chicana and Chicano Studies — Tejas Foco conference planning committee invites submissions that explore past, present, and future strategies of Chicana/o/x resilience, resistance, and resurgence.
Scholars, educators, students, history enthusiasts, folklorists, artists, librarians, preservationists, archivists, activists, curators, entertainers, film makers, and others are encouraged to submit. The planning committee welcomes paper presentations, panel submissions, exhibitions, performances, workshops, poetry readings, and other forms of expression that provide insight into past, present, and future strategies of resilience, resistance, and resurgence. We also invite proposals that explore the Tejana/o/x experience in general.
Proposal submissions must include the names, affiliations, contact information, and brief bios of participants, along with the titles of sessions and papers, and a short description of topics to be covered. Presentations, exhibitions, performances, workshops, poetry readings, and other forms of expression should not exceed twenty minutes. Panel submissions are encouraged to designate a chair.
All submissions must be received by December 15, 2025, and should be emailed to naccstejas2026@gmail.com .
In your email, please include your name and affiliation (University, College, or Independent Scholar). If submitting an individual paper, include a 200–300-word abstract. For a panel proposal, include a brief description of the panel and a 200-300-word abstract for each paper presentation. For a roundtable proposal, include one participant as the contact person and a one-page description of the roundtable. For an alternative format proposal, include a one-page description of the session that outlines its format and goals. All presenters must bring their laptops and adapters.
For questions, please contact Bryan Salazar at bryan9230@gmail.com, Jesse Esparza at jesus.esparza@tsu.edu, or Carlos Cantu at rgvhistorycantu@gmail.com.
View the flyer for the Texas Is Bigger Than You Think It Is: A Historian Looks at the Lone Star State workshop (PDF).
Texas Is Bigger Than You Think It Is: A Historian Looks at the Lone Star State
The Center for the Borderlands at UTRGV invites students, faculty, staff, and community members to a special event titled “Texas Is Bigger Than You Think It Is: A Historian Looks at the Lone Star State.” This engaging presentation will be delivered by renowned historian Dr. Benjamin H. Johnson, a distinguished history professor whose scholarship explores the complex and far-reaching history of Texas and the U.S.–Mexico borderlands.
Dr. Johnson’s talk will examine Texas beyond familiar narratives, offering deeper historical context and fresh perspectives on the Lone Star State’s influence. Attendees can expect a thought-provoking discussion that highlights Texas under a refreshing historian's perspective.
The events will be offered on two campuses:
- Edinburg Campus
Tuesday, February 24, 2026
2:00 PM – 3:15 PM
EEDUC 3.204 - Brownsville Campus
Wednesday, February 25, 2026
11:00 AM – 12:15 PM
BMSLC 1.105
Join us for an insightful conversation that rethinks what you know about Texas—and discover why its history is bigger than you think.
View the flyer for the Trouble in the Texas Borderlands” Roundtable (PDF).
Trouble in the Texas Borderlands” Roundtable
The Center for the Borderlands presents “Trouble in the Texas Borderlands” Roundtable, an evening conversation exploring borders, history, and conflict in the region.
Renowned historian Dr. Benjamin H. Johnson will be joined by Drs. Carolina Monsivais, Linda English, and George Díaz for a dynamic panel discussion examining the historical and contemporary challenges shaping the Texas borderlands. Together, they will offer interdisciplinary perspectives and engage in thoughtful dialogue about the complexities of the region’s past and present.
The roundtable will take place on February 24, 2026, at 6:30 PM in ELIBR 1.206 (Shary Room).
Snacks and beverages will be provided.
This event is open to students, faculty, staff, and community members. Join us for an engaging and timely discussion on the forces that have shaped—and continue to shape—the Texas borderlands.
View the flyer for the The Art of Seeing Each Other event (PDF).
The Art of Seeing Each Other
The Center for the Borderlands invites the campus community to “The Art of Seeing Each Other,” an interactive and reflective art experience centered on connection and identity.
Taking place on February 19, 2026, from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM in ELIBR 1.206 (Shary Room), this hands-on event explores how identity in the borderlands is shaped through relationships. Participants will pair up—whether with a friend they bring along or with someone new—to paint each other’s portraits in a shared act of care and appreciation.
All materials will be provided while supplies last. Students, faculty, and staff are welcome to attend. Come solo or bring a partner and experience a creative space designed to foster understanding, dialogue, and meaningful connection.
Join us for an evening of storytelling, art, and community as we delve into the haunting legend of La Llorona.
Llorona , a short film screening by Silvia Vera @verahuesca.mx
Llorona Artwork presentation by Dr. José Luis Canó @jl.canojr
Open mic: Participants are welcome to share their own stories, poems, or reflections inspired by La Llorona and cultural memory.
Tuesday, October 28, 2025
6:00 – 7:30 PM
Búho Bookstore
1140 E Washington St, Brownsville
Special Giveaway: 15 attendees will receive a copy of Gloria Anzaldúa's Prietita y La Llorona
Refreshments will be provided.
GOING VARSITY IN MARIACHI - FILM SCREENING & PANEL
Celebrate the finale of Hispanic Heritage Month with Us!
The Center of the Borderlands proudly presents a special screening of Going Varsity in Mariachi , a powerful documentary by Alejandra Vasquez and Sam Osborn. Join us for an inspiring evening as the filmmakers present their work, followed by a panel discussion offering behind-the-scenes perspectives and reflections on their creative journey.
About the Film:
In the competitive world of high school mariachi, the musicians from the South Texas borderlands reign supreme. Under the guidance of Coach Abel Acuña, the teenage captains of Edinburg North High School ’s acclaimed team must turn a shoestring budget and diverse crew of inexperienced musicians into state champions.
- Date: Wednesday, October 15
- Location: UTRGV Student Union Theater, Edinburg Campus
- Audience: Free and open to the community
- Time: 5:30pm – 9pm
- 5:30 PM – Welcome & Introduction
- 6:00 PM – Screening of Going Varsity in Mariachi
- 7:30 PM – Panel Discussion & Q&A
- RSVP form: https://forms.office.com/r/0z2GUaUTGi
A special thank you to our co-sponsors: UTRGV's Center for Latin American Arts (CLAA) and Literature & Cultural Studies Department - Mexican American Studies and Film Studies.
Únete a este espacio creativo en el que estudiantes, docentes, personal universitario, emprendedores y miembros de la comunidad exploraremos juntos cómo fomentar una conexión más profunda con nuestro entorno académico, social y cultural.
🎉 VIP Idea Lab Workshop 🎉
🎯 VIP Idea Lab: “ Del Aula a la Comunidad: Diseñando Participación Activa”
📓 Fecha: Viernes, 19 de septiembre de 2025
🕔 Hora: 10:30 am-12:45 pm. Refrigerio: 1:00 pm
📍 Lugar: UTRGV Campus Brownsville Interdisciplinary Academic Building (BINAB), Room 1.221
1 W. University Blvd., Brownsville, TX
🌐 Taller facilitado en español | Cupo limitado
🔗 Registro: https://forms.office.com/r/xrA9aqnL3p
Estudiantes, docentes, personal universitario, emprendedores y comunidad nos reuniremos en un espacio creativo para:
✅ Aplicar el de Diseño del Pensamiento y co-crear soluciones que fortalezcan nuestra conexión cultural, social y académica
✅ Romper con la apatía e inspirar una participación activa y sostenida en Brownsville
✅ Compartir tu voz, tus ideas y tu energía para impulsar el cambio
✨ Cupo limitado. ¡Confirma tu participación hoy!
Download the 2024-2025 Center for Mexican American Studies Newsletter (PDF).
Past Events
Fall 2025
Space is limited, RSVP here: https://forms.office.com/r/ESY5HxFSCh
Past Events
Spring 2025
Fall 2024
