Posted on March 18, 2026 by Katelyn Juarez
A milestone moment for Mexican American Studies drew students from across San Antonio and signaled the program’s impact.
Students applaud during the opening ceremony of the MAS Youth Conference
In November 2024, more than 500 high school students from across San Antonio attended the Mexican American Studies Youth Conference. The event marked a milestone in the 10-year development of Mexican American Studies (MAS) in public schools.
The conference, titled “Cara y Corazón,” was a historic city-wide gathering that brought together secondary school students enrolled in MAS courses, along with peers from nearly every school district and community college in San Antonio. Held at the university’s Downtown Campus, the event included workshops, cultural presentations and opportunities to connect with university resources. For many students, it was their first time visiting a major university campus.
An element behind the scenes of this success lies at the MAS Teachers Academy. Lilliana Patricia Saldana, associate professor in the Department of Race, Ethnicity, Gender and Sexuality Studies and key organizer of the conference, explains, “The MAS Teachers’ Academy continues to thrive as a grassroots, educatorled community that connects scholars across the state to shape curriculum, pedagogy, and advocacy.”
The conference featured more than 20 workshops led by community members and experts in the field. Topics ranged from folklorico dance and lowrider traditions to archival work and zine-making, giving students exposure to both cultural heritage and academic pathways.
Student performances closed the day, including spoken word poetry, mariachi music by local high schools and other cultural presentations. Organizers emphasized the importance of building community among MAS students and creating pathways toward higher education and careers.
The Texas State Board of Education approved a Mexican American Studies course in 2014. Since then, enrollment in MAS courses in Texas public high schools has expanded from 40 students in 2015 to more than 12,000 across the state today.
The MAS Youth Conference reflected this growth, offering students a space to learn, share experiences and strengthen bonds. Gilbert Flores, a MAS teacher with 10 years’ experience and member of the MAS Youth Conference Site Committee, said the conference created a strong sense of community among his students. “Students were in good spirits, happy, buzzing with laughter and conversing with each other.”
As one student noted, the program is “not just a class, it’s a connection to ourselves.”
Graduates with a Mexican American Studies degree build careers in education, law, counseling, social services, business, the arts, and community leadership, with many also continuing on to advanced graduate study.
— Katelyn Juarez
View this story, along with the rest of the second issue of Somos, by visiting ISSUU. Somos is the annual publication of the College of Education and Human Development at The University of Texas at San Antonio. It is created for students, alumni, faculty, staff and friends of the college. The magazine highlights the achievements, partnerships, and goals of the college.
