The North Central Council of Latin Americanists grew out of the Wisconsin Council of Latin Americanists which was formed during the 1966–67 year by scholars from various colleges and universities in Wisconsin. A group of nine met originally on 25 March 1966 at Stevens Point, Wisconsin to determine whether there was enough interest on their campuses to warrant drafting plans for a statewide association. This group, plus other Latin Americanists from the state, met again at Wisconsin State University—Whitewater on 16 December 1966. They formed an executive committee and charged it with drafting a charter for the new organization; they also set the first general meeting for Spring 1967 at Wisconsin State University—Platteville.