latinx network and logo

who we are

The Latin@/x Network (LN) plays host to ACPA’s Latinx membership affectionately referred to as LNers. The LN provides a variety of professional development opportunities for its members by sponsoring Latino interest programs, network meetings, and the maintenance of a national listserv. Additionally, the LN acts as a social vehicle to promote networking opportunities and an informal social support.

brief history

LN grew out of the Standing Committee for Multicultural Affairs (now the Coalition for Multicultural Affairs). The initial leadership came through CMA and the first chair was selected in 1992.

latinx network group photo

who we serve

As part of the Standing Coalition for Multicultural Affairs, the Latinx Network continues to support the mission and core values (Celebration, Advocacy, Recognition, Education, Support) of the CMA by focusing attention on the issues and concerns of people of color in the higher education community and to act as part of the coordinating directorate body for educating the Student Affairs Professional through diversity initiatives and to serve as an advocacy committee that supports, recognizes, and celebrates administrators, students, faculty, and staff. A subsidiary of this committee, the CMA is a nationally visible and action-oriented group that addresses the changing cultural dynamics within higher education institutions and works to create multicultural strategies and solutions.

Get Involved in LN

LN is always looking for ways to enhance the experience of Latinx professionals and students alike.

Any ACPA member can become involved and there are varying levels of involvement:

  • Become a LN member within the ACPA member portal
  • Attend our open business meeting at the annual ACPA convention
  • Submit a sponsored program proposal for Convention
  • Volunteer for a leadership position within the ACPA LN Directorate Board
  • Submit a nomination for the ACPA LN awards
  • Participate in the LN Mentorship program

News & Updates

The Latinx Network is looking for additional volunteers for the directorate board or of you have general questions. Please reach out to [email protected]

Stay Connected

Sign up for the ACPA LN Newsletter and check us out on social media at our Linktree: https://linktr.ee/ACPA_LN

Latinx Awards

Annually ACPA’s Latinx Network, which is part of the Standing Coalition for Multicultural Affairs, recognizes outstanding scholars and programs in the field of Student Affairs that have made significant contributions to the Latinx community on their campus, the student affairs profession, and/or ACPA. We invite nominations of faculty, staff, and administrators. Award nominations are due by October 31st, 2024

This year’s awards categories and descriptions are below:

          • The Dr. John Hernandez Leadership Award: Awarded to an outstanding practitioner in higher education who has made significant contributions to the Latinx community on their campus or greater community. This individual has worked for 8+ years in student affairs and higher education and/or higher ed adjacent roles. This award is named after Dr. Hernandez who played an integral role in the establishment of the Latinx Network.
          • The Community Advancement and Service (CASA) Award: Awarded to an ACPA member who has supported the efforts of the Latinx Community through support and encouragement toward the success of the community. This individual has brought the needs of Latinx students and professionals in higher education to the forefront.
          • The Erik M. Colon Outstanding Graduate Student Award: Awarded to an outstanding graduate student in student affairs and higher education services. This graduate student continuously seeks to integrate their research and practice with the needs of the Latinx student population.
          • ACPA Latinx  Outstanding Early Career Award: Awarded to an outstanding early career scholar in the field of student affairs and higher education. This individual has worked for 1-4 years in the student affairs and higher education field. This scholar has made a commitment to the long-term enhancement of the Latinx community.
          • ACPA Latinx Outstanding Mid-Level Scholar Award: Awarded to an outstanding mid-level scholar in student affairs and higher education. This individual has worked 5-8  years of full-time experience in the student affairs and higher education field. This scholar has worked to enhance the student culture and Latinx community via campus programs and/or initiatives.
          • ACPA Latinx Student Success Award: Awarded to a campus program/office/service/department that has significantly impacted the collegiate experience of Latinx students at their institution and/or within the field of higher education.

For more information contact [email protected].

In order better serve the diverse needs of our membership the Latin@/x Network has developed a new professional development plan for graduate students and new professional. After careful consideration and much discussion, we have designed a “tool box” template in the hope of creating a more substantive experience for both mentees and mentors. The objective of this initiative was to focus on the development of the mentee with concrete action steps with the added emphasis on accountability on both ends of the relationship.

This plan has a three-fold approach:

    1. Self-Assessment (take inventory)
    2. Research (next steps and what they look like)
    3. Development of a Plan “Portfolio” (resume building)

Through this three pronged approach, our intended outcomes for professionals are:

      • To develop personal, academic, and career goals through strategic and consistent interactions
      • To provide personal and professional guidance and advice on specific opportunities and experiences for advancement
      • To empower, challenge, and encourage colleagues to help increase the number of Latin@/x practitioners and decision makers within higher education

We believe it’s never too early to think about your future. In order to achieve your desired professional goals you must craft a plan and adopt a vision that will guide you through this process. To aid you in this endeavor, the Latin@/x Network has developed the “Map”. As you start to think about your next position, the type of institution you want to work at and the geographic location, it is imperative that you start to research important factors that will figure into your plan of action. While we have provided you with a “template” it is incumbent upon you and your mentor to “fill in the blanks” as you best see fit. The bottom line is to explore different areas and share your findings. This will help you to establish a dialogue and come up with some recommendations on how to achieve your desired outcomes and look at both short and long term timelines. Even if you do not settle on defining a specific goal(s), this exercise will, at a minimum, help you and your mentor to engage in a friendship and establish a creative dialog on areas of interest.

Our mentorship program is quite simple:

      • Your Mentor/Mentee – Brief information about each of you (field of study/work, contact info, etc.) is included at the end of this email. Take a look to see who you’ve been matched with!
      • Schedule Considerations – Because of individual time zone and schedule constraints, we are not setting a firm date for you to connect with your Mentor/Mentee. However, we highly encourage you to select a mutually agreeable date and time; within the next couple of weeks is strongly encouraged. Feel free to text, call, Skype, or Morse code, whichever works best for you and your communication styles.
      • Setting a Date – Mentees are responsible for contacting their Mentor to set a date within two weeks of receiving this matching email.

Useful Resources

For information on how to become involved in our Latin@/x Mentoring Program, please contact our Mentoring Chair: Anthony Vargas, [email protected].

Meet the LN Directorate Board

Karla Cruze-Silva, PhD
Karla Cruze-Silva, PhD

Co-Chair

she/ella
University of Arizona
[email protected]

Stephen Santa-Ramirez, PhD
Stephen Santa-Ramirez, PhD

Co-Chair

he/him/his
University at Buffalo
[email protected]

Ashley Mena, M.Ed.
Ashley Mena, M.Ed.

Administrative Officer & West Coast Representative

they/she
Searching

[email protected]

Blanca Moncada
Blanca Moncada

Administrative Officer Elect

she/her/hers

San Jose State University

Gary Santos Mendoza, M.S.Ed.
Gary Santos Mendoza, M.S.Ed.

Past Co-Chair

he/him/his/el
Rutgers University-Newark
[email protected]

Jose A. Marroquin, MBA, MA
Jose A. Marroquin, MBA, MA

Past Co-Chair

he/him/his/el
Society of Actuaries

Melanie Pagan
Melanie Pagan

Council of Chairs, Past Chair

she/they
Harvard University
[email protected]

Ray Plaza, PhD
Ray Plaza, PhD

Council of Chairs Coordinator, Past Co-Chair

he/him/his/el
Santa Clara University
[email protected]

Karen Perez-Seyforth
Karen Perez-Seyforth

Communications and Social Media Co-Chair

Brandeis University

Enrique Robles
Enrique Robles

Member at Large Early Career

he/him/his
Indiana University Bloomington

Luis Garay
Luis Garay

Endownment Chair

they/them or name
Elon University
[email protected]

Francarlo Resto
Francarlo Resto

Member at Large Mid Career

Otis College of Art and Design

 

Anthony Vargas
Anthony Vargas

Community Outreach

He/Him
University of Buffalo

[email protected]

Elijah Vasquez
Elijah Vasquez

Member at Large Senior Career

University of Michigan

Abigail Ramos
Abigail Ramos

Mentoring Chair

she/her/hers
Texas A&M University 

[email protected]

Francine Coker, MBA
Francine Coker, MBA

Social Coordinator

she/her/hers
University of Miami

 

Diane Gaskin
Diane Gaskin

Educational Program Co-Chair

they/ella/she
University of California, Davis
[email protected]

Hugo Yepez
Hugo Yepez

Educational Programs Co-Chair

they/he

Foundation for California Community Colleges

[email protected]

 

Nallely Dominguez Holguin
Nallely Dominguez Holguin

Regional Representative - Southwest

she/her/hers
Colorado State University 

Stephanie Bautista
Stephanie Bautista

Regional Representative - Midwest

she/her/hers
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

Mercedes Diaz
Mercedes Diaz

Regional Representative - Northeast

she/her/hers
Rutgers University – NB

 

The owner of this website has made a commitment to accessibility and inclusion, please report any problems that you encounter using the contact form on this website. This site uses the WP ADA Compliance Check plugin to enhance accessibility.