El Cafecito, led by Associate Instructional Professor Verónica Moraga, has been recognized with a Diversity Leadership Award! These awards aim at giving visibility to collaborative efforts that advance “the university’s commitment to diversity.” April 2, 2026, at a lively ceremony, Verónica was handed the award by the university president, Paul Alivisatos.
Looking at the trajectory of El Cafecito over the years, and after celebrating its 100th edition last fall, it is hard to overstate the importance of this initiative for our department. It has made possible for UChicago students and Latinx communities around the city to come together through shared dialogue, care, and collaboration. Under Verónica's leadership, it has secured a place for RLL within the social fabric of Spanish-speaking Chicago, cultivating reciprocal relationships that extend beyond individual events and allowing sustained and meaningful interactions over time. Finally, it has provided students with an opportunity to practice their Spanish in the most meaningful context, and it has nurtured a space of personal and academic growth for both heritage and second-language learners.
Congratulations Verónica!