As the COVID-19 pandemic began to spread throughout Latin America and the Caribbean in late spring of 2020, the Center for Latin American Studies at Georgetown University began to follow and evaluate the impact and responses to the pandemic in all countries as well as in six European territories in the region by the public and private sectors, civil society, as well as international and regional organizations. The project came to end in April of 2022.
LACCOM is the result of the work of 32 students (19 undergraduates and 13 graduates) affiliated with the Center for Latin American Studies (CLAS) who, since the summer of 2020 and until April of 2022, and under the supervision of CLAS’ Director of Academic Affairs, Prof. Angelo Rivero Santos, collected, systematically organized and analyzed data and information under the three rubrics detailed in the map. These rubrics are the core of the Master of Arts and the minor in Latin American Studies in the School of Foreign Service at Georgetown University. We hope that the historical analysis and resources produced and collected serve as an important educational tool for students, researchers, and policy makers around the world interested in the impact and responses to the pandemic in the Latin America and Caribbean region during the period in question.
Both versions of LACCOM, English and Spanish, were updated throughout the duration of the project to reflect the evolution of what was without doubt the most serious public health crisis that has impacted the region in generations.
Meet the Spring 2022 Team:
Alexander Cordovés
Spanish Editor, Contributor, and Web Designer
Alexander is a senior student in the School of Foreign Service with a concentration in International Politics and pursuing a minor in Latin American Studies. Originally from Caguas, Puerto Rico, Alexander is the founder and Executive Director of ‘Sin Límites,’ a Puerto Rico-based nonprofit organization dedicated to providing school materials to low-income students and assisting underprivileged communities in disaster recovery. Find Alexander on LinkedIn.
Madeleine O’Hara
Editor and Contributor
Maddy is a junior in the School of Foreign Service, studying Science, Technology and International Affairs with a minor in Economics. On campus, she is the Director of the Georgetown University Farmers’ Market and works at the Midnight Mug in Lauinger Library. Before matriculating at Georgetown, she took a gap year and lived in Latin America for three months, which led to her interest in the region. Find Madeleine on LinkedIn.
Chelsea Meiners
Contributor
Chelsea is a second-year student in the Master of Arts in Latin American Studies program concentrating in Governance and Leadership. Originally from Illinois, she attended Vanderbilt University where she earned a B.S. as a double major in Human & Organizational Development and Spanish. During her undergraduate career she studied and worked in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Prior to arriving at Georgetown, Chelsea was a Spanish teacher in the International Baccalaureate Programme at high schools in Nashville and Chicago. While teaching she created an original comprehensive curriculum and took her students on trips to Costa Rica and Spain.
Silvia Zelaya Jovel
Contributor and Translator
Silvia is a first-year student in the Master of Arts in Latin American Studies program with a concentration in Governance and Leadership. Originally from El Salvador, Silvia was raised in Los Angeles, California and graduated from Wellesley College with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and Mathematics. Before starting her graduate studies at Georgetown, Silvia interned for organizations like the International Foundation for Electoral Systems, focusing on research on Nicaragua, and at the Center for Justice and International Law. Find Silvia on LinkedIn.
Magdalena Paz
Web Designer
Magdalena is a junior in the School of Foreign Service studying Global Busines with a minor in Environmental Studies. Her interest lies at the intersection of finance and the energy sector, particularly in innovative renewable energy projects. Magdalena serves as a Commissioner for the Student Activities Commission, helping organizations around campus receive funding for their projects. Originally from Buenos Aires, Argentina, Magdalena focuses her work on Latin America and is involved with LASA (Latin American Student Association), and sings in the Capitol G’s. Find Magdalena on LinkedIn.
Isabella Falero
Contributor
Isabella is a second-year undergraduate student in the Walsh School of Foreign Service. She is undeclared and plans on majoring in International Politics with a minor in Latin American Studies. She has lived in Lima, Peru since the age of four and has lived through the political turmoil and immense inequality in the country, which led her to be interested in the Latin American region. She is currently part of the Latin American Student Association and writes for the Caravel in the Latin American and Caribbean section, raising awareness for under-reported news. Find Isabella on LinkedIn.
Sanjna Jain
Contributor
Sanjna is a senior in the School of Foreign Service studying International Politics with minors in Spanish and French. She has always had a deep-seeded interest in Latin America and is excited to conduct this type of regional research. Outside of her work on LACCOM, she currently serves as the Georgetown International Relations Association’s Chief Human Resources Officer, and is also an on-campus tour guide! Find Sanjna on LinkedIn.
Maya Smith
Contributor
Maya is a junior in the School of Foreign Service studying International Economics with a focus in Sustainable Development, as well as pursuing a minor in Environmental Studies. She is part of the Women’s Lightweight Rowing Team and the Club Climbing Team. Maya’s interest in joining LACCOM comes from hes focus on eco-tourism as an aid for economic development in Latin America, which is an area she has the past few years researching throughout her classes. Find Maya on LinkedIn.
Audrey Chapman
Contributor
Audrey is a first-year undergraduate student in Georgetown University’s College. She is undeclared and plans to study Government and Economics with a minor in Spanish. Audrey was born and raised in the US, and has family ties to Colombia. She has a strong interest in politics and foreign policy specifically in Latin America. Outside of LACCOM and the classroom, Audrey is a member of Georgetown’s varsity women’s rowing team. Find Audrey on LinkedIn.
Valeria Villarreal
Contributor
Valeria is a second-year student in the Walsh School of Foreign Service with a concentration in Regional and Comparative Studies and pursuing a minor in French. Her interests include Latin American history and languages. Originally from Monterrey, Mexico, Valeria is the Training and Global Partnerships Director of Project Olas, a social impact venture that provides women in vulnerable Central American communities with sustainable income opportunities through Spanish teaching. Prior to Georgetown, she participated as Business Ambassador in the APEC “One World, One Classroom” Program. Find Valeria on LinkedIn.
Sofía Negrete Retamales
Contributor
Sofía (she/her) is a third-year student in the Walsh School of Foreign Service studying Science, Technology, and International Affairs with a concentration in Energy and Environment. She was born in Antofagasta and raised in Santiago, Chile. Due to her family’s experience through the dictatorship era, she has always been interested in politics, stability, and foreign policy in the Latin American region. Sofia is passionate about social justice and is highly involved with organizing and activism efforts at and outside of Georgetown. She also works for Comunidades Unidas, a non-profit organization focused on immigrant rights as the Community Organizer for Immigrant Rights.Find Sofía on LinkedIn.
Daniella Passariello
Contributor
Daniella is a junior in the Walsh School of Foreign Service majoring in Business and Global Affairs with a minor in Environmental Studies. She is originally from Caracas, Venezuela and moved to Miami, FL in 2010. Daniella is passionate about helping others and becoming a global leader in her community. She is the Philanthropy Chair for the organization Venezuelan Perspectives on campus and a donation organizer for a foundation helping elementary school students in Cumaná, Venezuela. Outside of academic endeavors, Daniella enjoys playing clarinet for the Georgetown University Orchestra and providing English language tutoring to students with immigrant backgrounds in Washington, DC. Find Daniella on LinkedIn.
