“Exploring and Challenging Fronteras in the Midwest and Beyond,” the Latina/o graduate student conference will touch on a variety of issues such as language, identity, education and curriculum beginning tonight at 7 p.m. at the Levis Faculty Center.

The conference, which runs through Sunday, will begin with a welcome from Interim Chancellor Richard Herman.

The program will discuss different issues that affect Latinos in education, said Hugo Campuzano, graduate student in the Department of Educational Policy Studies.

Campuzano, assistant director of the transition program, will be leading a session on taking advantage of the opportunities offered by the University.

Arlene Torres, director of the Latina/o Studies Program, said the conference will try to look at issues through a midwestern vantage point. This is important as parts of the Midwest – especially Chicago – have some of the largest Latino populations in the country.

“We wish to discuss the implications of the presence of Latinos both historically and presently,” Torres said.

Alicia P. Rodriguez, associate director of the Latina/o Studies Program, said that although the conference will highlight Latino studies in the Midwest, it will include speakers from several states and Puerto Rico.

“The program is quite diverse and will allow participants to quickly learn about the issues,” Campuzano said.

Several faculty members will participate and there will be an undergraduate seminar on Saturday at 5:15 p.m.

In addition to the sessions, Rodriguez pointed out the importance of the social aspects of the conference.

“The conference is a great opportunity for young scholars to come together and share their work,” she said.

Rodriguez said great communication during the sessions accounted for the success of previous conferences.

“The sessions have been so active with lots of dialogue between participants and speakers, both during and after,” she said.

Still, Rodriguez said he was hopeful that this weekend’s conference could not only match prior success, but top it. More than 100 people had registered for the conference as of Tuesday.