The Student workers are invaluable to the daily workings of the CLS Program. From helping with the library to coordinating programming, Cristina, Julie, Alida, and Nicole are every resourceful and instrumental to making the program a success. Many thanks to the CLS student workers who did a fantastic job this academic year!

Cristina Springfield is a senior majoring in Spanish and Journalism with a Chicano studies certificate. She was born in Bloomington, IN and has been working for the program as a student hourly for 3 years. Furthermore, she works at the Pendleton Woolen Mills, Inc. She doesn’t really have free time but when she finds the time to shy away from her school work, Cristina likes to watch Netflix movies and read. She also likes to find new music online, hang out with friends, graphic design, and travel! Cristina is a member of La Mujer Latina, and Interested Ladies of Lambda Theta Alpha.
email: springfield@wisc.edu

Julie Covarrubias is a Senior majoring in Elementary Education with a minor in Chican@ & Latin@ Studies. Born in Madison, she is a huge Badger fan. She began working for the program as a student hourly in January of 2008. She also teaches Spanish for kindergarten through 5th grade at Gompers Elementary. Additionally, she also transcribes for a professor in the Curriculum & Instruction Department. In her free time, she enjoys going out to dinner, movies and hanging out with family. She also loves playing basketball and soccer and watching football. This February, she became an aunt!
email: covarrubias@wisc.edu

Alida Cardos Whaley is a freshman and hails from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. She plans to double major, but is currently only sure of one; Spanish. She plans of earning a Chican@ and Latin@ Studies certificate student and will also receive a First Wave certificate. She is one of 15 students this year in a brand-new program focused on hip-hop theater, urban arts, and spoken word. It is a culmination of the ways her generation empowers themselves and others in their communities. These students were specially chosen for their talents and will be joined by 15 more students each year. Alida is a spoken word artist, but many refer to her form of delivery as “storytelling.” Aside from school work she spends her spare time playing soccer or running. Next year she will be trying out for the UW women’s soccer team.
email: cardoswhaley@wisc.edu

Nicole Andrea Martinez is a sophomore who plans to major in Computer Science in hopes to become a programmer or web designer. She was born in Los Angeles but grew up mostly in Madison. She enjoys reading about science as well as learning and working with computers. During her free time, she likes to draw, bake cookies, and create clay sculptures and beads. She also likes to make fun of bad movies with her friends.
email: namartinez@wisc.edu