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Students

The Kimberly Green Latin American and Caribbean Center at Florida International University attracts a diverse group of highly qualified students. Some students join LACC directly from an undergraduate program and others bring with them years of professional experience.

Meet some of our Current MALACS Students.

Logan Freed 

  • Area of interest: Colombian Studies, Conflict Resolution, International Development, Hemispheric Security, Immigration Policy, and Peace Studies/Peacebuilding. 
  • I chose the MALACS program because it is primarily focused on the intricacies of Latin American and Caribbean affairs, cultures, and identities.
  • I am a graduate student at Florida International University pursuing a Master’s in Latin American and Caribbean Studies, building on my bachelor’s in international relations. My academic focus drives a deep commitment to understanding global dynamics and their local impacts.

Rebeca Hernández Alvarado

  • Area of Interest: My interests center on migration, political instability, governance, public opinion, and transnational organized crime in Latin America and the Caribbean. I am especially interested in the way these issues connect with one another and how their effects extend beyond politics into people’s identities, decisions, and sense of belonging.
  • I chose MALACS because I want to understand them with greater depth while continuing to discover the many ways I can contribute to the region through research, policy, and eventually law.
  • I graduated from FIU with a bachelor’s degree in political science and a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies. My undergraduate experience also led me to research Venezuelan youth and become involved in the Venezuelan community at FIU.

Marcus Abraham

  • Area of Interest: Post Colonial Political Development of the Caribbean, Caribbean Political Identity, Caribbean Culture and Politics, US- Caribbean Relations
  • Mr. Abraham chose the MALACS program at Florida International University due to its prowess in the field and his desire to further his studies with regards to the political development and identity of the Caribbean.
  • Marcus Abraham is a Trinidadian whose academic and personal journey has been shaped by a strong interest in the Caribbean, Latin America, and the connections that unite the region. He graduated with honors from Florida International University with a bachelor’s degree in political science, a minor in International Relations, and a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Juan Manuel Hincapie

  • Area of Interest: My academic focus is on the colonial history of Latin America, with particular interests in social history and the history of justice.
  • I chose the MALACS program because of its interdisciplinary approach, which allows me to broaden my perspective on the study and understanding of Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • I hold a bachelor’s degree in history from the National University of Colombia, Medellín campus, where I received training focused on colonial history, source criticism, palaeography, and diplomatics.

Edwin Guillen

  • Area of Interest: Economic freedom, urban development and institutional reform.
  • I chose the MALACS degree because of its interdisciplinary nature. This is why my focus will be on Governance, Economic Development, and Security. My beliefs in the creation of sustainable and independent institutions that can enhance economic development, security infrastructure and the proper application of the rule of law is what defines my pathway to becoming president of my beloved Ecuador.
  • Originally from Manta, Ecuador, he is passionate about strong institutions, economic freedom, and civic unity. He is preparing for a future in public leadership.

Mariama Ceesay

  • Areas of Interest: The impact of race on politics, education, and the economy; the consequences of colonial policies on racial structures among Afro-Latinos; and military dictatorships in Latin America.
  • She chose the MALACS program for its in-depth historical and sociological approach to the region, as well as FIU's close proximity to Latin American culture and society. During her time at FIU, she plans to continue her research on the impact of race and class on access to education in Brazilian favelas. Following the program, she hopes to attend law school and focus on immigration or international law.
  • Mariama Ceesay graduated from Duke University in August 2026 with a bachelor's degree in International Comparative Studies and minors in History and Brazilian and Global Portuguese Studies.

Lucas Sastre

  • Areas of Interest: Urban Governance, Democratization, Populism, and U.S.- Latin American relations.
  • As a first year MALACS student, Lucas selected the program because of its renowned professors and distinguished interdisciplinary approach to the region. Through the distinguished MALACS program, Lucas intends to transition into foreign policy with a specialization in Latin American relations.
  • Lucas graduated from Florida International University with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, International Relations, and a certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.

Allison Jones

  • Areas of Interest: Hemispheric security, nuclear proliferation, and defense diplomacy.
  • I chose FIU because it has one of the strongest Latin American Studies programs in the country and I like its interdisciplinary approach to regional studies.
  • I graduated from The United States Air Force Academy in May of 2025 with a BS in Behavioral Science and minors in Spanish and Portuguese. As my first assignment in the Air Force, I am attending Florida International University to get my master's degree in Latin American and Caribbean studies.

Giovanni Vieira

  • Areas of Interest: Immigration Policy, Adoption/Foster Care Reform, Migrant Adoption, Transracial Adoption, Kinship Dynamics in Mixed Families, Urban Youth Development, Decolonizing Body Politics, Youth Labor Rights, Maternal Health Outcomes, Immigration Trauma.
  • Now as a MALACS/GSS PhD student, Giovanni aims to implement a multidisciplinary approach to investigate the long-term psychosocial and socio-cultural ramifications of migration on undocumented youth and their complex kinship dynamics.
  • Giovanni received his bachelor’s degree in psychology and Anthropology from Florida International University (FIU). Through his time working in academia and in the private sector, Giovanni has cultivated a skillset in expanding educational outcomes.

Rose Laure Jean Joseph

  • Areas of Interest: Haitian Culture and Studies, Haitian Creole, Women Studies, Disability Rights, Caribbean and Afro-Latino Studies.
  • Growing up in Miami as a Haitian American has impacted Rose’s love of learning about other people and their cultures, which is why she chose the MALACS program.
  • Rose Laure Jean Joseph is a MALACS student at FIU, where she is also pursuing a certificate in Haitian Creole. She previously received her Bachelor of Arts from FIU in Latin American and Caribbean Studies in Spring 2024.

Carlos Ricaurte

  • Areas of Interest: Andean Region, Export-based Political Economy, Latin American Patterns of Development.
  • Carlos has chosen MALACS due to its wide outreach to an overarching framework of faculty, resources and a community of renowned Latin Americanists keen on seeing all MALACS Students succeed.
  • Carlos graduated in April 2025 with a Bachelor of Arts in International Relations and Political Science from Florida International University, with a Certificate in Latin American and Caribbean Studies.