Please join the HRC Migration Studies Lab for a transformative day of dialogue, research, and discovery at the Migration Studies Research Symposium, a groundbreaking gathering of scholars in Latino/a studies and migration studies from across Virginia and North Carolina. 

For 2026, the Migration Studies Symposium will specifically focus on Public Humanities/History and community-engaged scholarship. Scholars from VCU, JMU, UVA, and other campuses will present their research, including the Latino Virginia Project; Immigrant Success Stories; Spanish Language, Language Variations, Cultures and Responsibility; and Educational Resources (OER). Scholars will present their latest research, including several new research projects on Latinos. There will be open dialogue regarding migration and a keynote presentation by Mireya Loza, Ph.D. 

We have been working with the Virginia Museum of History & Culture (VMHC) to create their first ever exhibit on immigration to the state, We the People: The World in Our Commonwealth. With the changing demographics of the United States and specifically a growing demographic of migrant scholars within the Commonwealth of Virginia, we will discuss research related to these populations and reflect on a broader conversation about how humanities research on immigrants can be preserved and shared with broader populations. VCU itself has one of the largest numbers of students identifying as Latino and Asian in the state, with 12% and 15% respectively, and a robust network of student multicultural organizations.

Southeast Latino/Migration Scholars Collaboration
Since 2021, Latinx Studies/Migration scholars from the Southeast have gathered to share research, mentor undergraduate students, and provide feedback on publication, grant funding, technological advances, and pedagogical practices. In 2022, the group began hosting symposia: the first was at Duke University, followed by James Madison University in 2023 and 2024. VCU hosted a symposium last March. This year, VCU, through its continued support of the HRC Migration Studies Lab, is again hosting the symposium in collaboration with the Virginia Museum of History and Culture. VCU has promoted undergraduate research through its VIP program. The Latino Virginia Project and its lab are two of the initiatives' projects.

This event is free and open to all. Breakfast and lunch will be provided.

Event Schedule

9:50-10:00am Breakfast 

10:00-10:20am Introductions and Agenda 

• Associate Dean Marcus Messner, College of Humanities and Sciences, Virginia Commonwealth University  
• Daniel Morales, Co-Director of Migration Studies Lab, Virginia Commonwealth University

10:30- 11:15am The Latino Virginia Oral History Project

• Gabriela Léon-Pérez, Karen Bjork, and Research Assistants 

11:15-11:25am Break

11:25am-12:10pm The Spanish Language, Language Variations, Cultures and Responsibility: JMU's International Journal of Responsibility & DECIR Scholarship Showcase

• Fawn-Amber Montoya, James Madison University
• Yenisei Montes de Oca, James Madison University
• Diana Meza, James Madison University

12:10-1:30pm Lunch 

12:30- 1:20pm Keynote: Beyond Braceros: How Temporary Labor Shaped Industrialized Agriculture in California and Across the Nation, 1942–1965

• Mireya Loza, Georgetown University

1:30-2:15pm Immigrant Success Stories: The Positive Deviance Project 

• Saltanat Liebert, Virginia Commonwealth University
• Grant Rissler, University of Richmond
• Helga Staalhane, Virginia Commonwealth University

2:15-2:25pm Break 

2:25-3:05pm New Work by Scholars Panel

• Brianna Nofil- College of William and Mary, “Raids, Racial Profiling, and the Roots of ICE”
• Estela Diaz Knott- The Lua Project, “Los Appalachianos” 

3:05-3:15pm Break 

3:15-4:15pm “We the People: Our World and Our Commonwealth” at VMHC

• Centering Immigrant Voice in Exhibit Development
• Julie Maio Kemper, David Bearinger, Noah Tinsley, Daniel Morales
• Guided tour of “We the People” exhibition 

4:15pm Closing Remarks

• Michael Paarlberg, Co-Director of Migration Studies Lab 

5:00-8:00pm Commonwealth Crossroads: A Celebration of Virginia's Immigrant Traditions

Food trucks will be available for dinner.

Biographies for all scholars can be viewed here.