Alumni and friends of the Wayne State University Center for Latino/a and Latin American Studies (CLLAS) are fundraising to endow a scholarship in the name of long-time director and professor Dr. Jorge L. Chinea, who will step down as the head of the unit in August 2026.
About Dr. Chinea
Dr. Chinea was born in Puerto Rico and moved to New York City at the age of 13. After earning a GED diploma, he went on to attend college in upstate New York, ultimately receiving a Ph.D. degree in history from the University of Minnesota. He joined Wayne State in 1996 as an assistant professor of history and was appointed director of CLLAS in 2003.
In his three decades at Wayne State, Dr. Chinea has taught, mentored, and advised more than a thousand students. He is also a respected and accomplished scholar of Caribbean history. In 2023, he earned the rank of Distinguished Service Professor at the university, which recognized “unusual service outside of the University [that has] brought great honor and recognition to this institution.”
Supporters of CLLAS began donating toward the Dr. Jorge L. Chinea Scholarship Fund in fall 2020 and have since been aiming to reach the full endowment goal of $25,000. An endowment ensures that funds are set aside permanently with interest generated going to a specific purpose. According to the scholarship’s memorandum of agreement, future scholarships will be awarded to students at Wayne State who are enrolled in the Latino/a and Latin American Studies academic minor, maintain at least a 2.5 GPA and demonstrate a commitment to community service.
Latest fundraising efforts
As of February 2026, approximately $17,000 had been raised toward the goal. Reaching the goal prior to August is a top priority for the newly established CLLAS alumni organization, which launched in January and recently incorporated as El Colectivo. The association is comprised of former students of CLLAS (also known as Latino en Marcha and Chicano-Boricua Studies), many of whom took Dr. Chinea’s classes or interacted with him in the program.
One such former student is El Colectivo’s founding president, Laura L. Chavez, who often credits CLLAS and Dr. Chinea as major contributors to her earning a college degree. Chavez also serves as founder and president of Southwest Detroit-based nonprofit Raíces Detroit, which recently developed a custom lotería deck honoring the historic neighborhood. Lotería Southwest Detroit Edition features well-known landmarks and other renderings of the beloved community. When El Colectivo began brainstorming ways of raising money, Chavez had a great idea.
Lotería Southwest Detroit benefits the scholarship
On March 11th, El Colectivo and Raíces Detroit teamed up at Mexicantown Community Development Corporation’s Plaza del Norte to host the first of two Lotería Southwest Detroit Edition fundraisers benefiting the Dr. Jorge L. Chinea Scholarship. The event featured prizes and support from local businesses, including Donut Villa, E&L Supermercado, and Tamalería Nuevo Leon, all of whom are featured in the lotería deck. Chavez also unveiled a special surprise at the event—a few custom cards and merchandise honoring parts of the CLLAS legacy, including Dr. Chinea and Latino en Marcha.
More than $2,000 was raised at the March 11th event, and combined with other alumni efforts, the scholarship fund now stands at more than $21,000. When asked about the success of the evening, Laura Chavez stated, “This wasn’t just a fundraiser—it was a reflection of who we are. It took nonprofits, community ambassadors, small businesses, and alumni all coming together to make this possible. Every card, every story represents the people and places that raised us and through Raíces Detroit we’re honoring that legacy while creating real opportunities for the next generation.” The next Lotería Southwest Detroit Edition fundraiser benefiting the Dr. Jorge L. Chinea Scholarship is scheduled for Saturday, April 11th at 6 p.m. at Mexicantown Community Development Corporation’s Plaza del Norte and Chavez welcomes community members to join in the fun and support the cause. See details below.
About CLLAS
Established in 1971 as the Latino en Marcha Leadership Training Program and formally incorporated into Wayne State University as Chicano-Boricua Studies shortly thereafter, CLLAS was born from the activism of the Detroit Latino/a community. It is one of the oldest scholarly units in the U.S. dedicated to the study of the Latino/a experience and has played an important role in the education and development of leaders in Detroit, the Midwest, and beyond, over its 55-year history. More than 2,500 students have participated in CLLAS student programs, with a multi-generational coalition of alumni working through El Colectivo to ensure it continues to positively impact students for years to come.
Supporters can contribute to the scholarship directly and help reach the goal by visiting: giving.wayne.edu/donate/chinea
