NCCLA was organized in 1966 by a group of Latin Americanists from Wisconsin universities. Their Charter, adopted the same year, expanded the scope of membership to include faculty and students from public and private institutions of higher learning throughout the upper Midwest. The NCCLA is one of eight regional Latin Americanist organizations in the country.

The NCCLA Secretariat is housed at the Center for Latin American and Caribbean Studies, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

2025-26 Executive Committee

President: Adam Coon (University of Minnesota, Morris)
Vice President/President Elect: Elena De Costa (Carroll University)
Secretary-Treasurer: Mariana Reyes Payán (St. Olaf College)
Program Chair: Benjamin Narvaez (University of Minnesota, Morris)
Deputy Program Chair: Pedro dos Santos (College of St. Benedict and St. John’s University)
Special Programs Chair: Eduardo Magalhães III (Simpson College)
Nominations Chairs: Stacy Hoult (Valparaiso University) and León Narváez (St. Olaf College)
Communications/Membership Chairs: Kristina Medina-Vilariño (St. Olaf College)
and Aimee Orndorf (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee)

Bylaws (pdf)