The History of Latino Students at the University of Kentucky, 1865-2019

The purpose of this research project, prompted by the Office for Institutional Diversity, was to comprehensively collect the first draft of the history of Latino students at the University of Kentucky from 1865 through 2019. Digital and physical archival research, participant observation, and interviews were conducted in the process of understanding and analyzing the evolution of this historically underserved community. The extensive implications of this collection will serve as a formalized foundation that will further indicate the changing needs of the Latino community on campus. This collection of history also legitimizes the experiences of students of Latin American descent at UK and affirms a sense of belonging within the community as the history of Latino students at the University of Kentucky is propagated, expanded on, and intertwined with the overarching history of the University. Significant student histories, collective student efforts, and institutional support are recognized to form the structure for the first draft of the timeline. The concluding first draft of this timeline reveals a scarce, but significant, presence of students of Latin American descent dating back to 1874. The exponential increase onwards from the 1990s of students who identify as Hispanic/Latino/Latinx at the University of Kentucky presents a new, thriving reality that would not have been made possible without the infrastructure built by our past

Students from Mexico at the University of Kentucky

2001UA025: [Students from Monterrey, Mexico in a classroom with a professor], The University of Kentucky general photographic prints collection, 1900-2005, bulk 1950-1989, and undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1003/thumbnail.jp

Latin American Students Association Image 3

University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Centerhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1006/thumbnail.jp

Ruth González Jiménez, Latino Student Community Specialist 2017-Present

Martin Luther King Center. (n.d.). King Center Staff [Ruth González Jiménez photo].https://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1010/thumbnail.jp

Latin American Students Association Image 1

University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Centerhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1004/thumbnail.jp

Collage

https://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1012/thumbnail.jp

Ricardo Nazario y Colón, Martin Luther King Center Director 2004-2005

University of Kentucky. (2006). 2006 Kentuckian. 112. Lexington, KY.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1009/thumbnail.jp

Alan Aja, SGA President 1996-1997

University of Kentucky. (1997). Survival: 1997 Kentuckian. 103. Lexington, KY: Author.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1007/thumbnail.jp

Latin American Students Association Image 2

University of Kentucky Libraries Special Collections Research Centerhttps://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1005/thumbnail.jp

Students from Chile at the University of Kentucky

2001UA025: [Thirteen students from Chile came to the University of Kentucky in February 1962 for a two week stay under the auspices of the Experiment in International Living Program...], The University of Kentucky general photographic prints collection, 1900-2005, bulk 1950-1989, and undated, University of Kentucky Special Collections.https://uknowledge.uky.edu/latino_student_history/1002/thumbnail.jp