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.

News & Updates

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 institution.

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

 

Get Involved in LN

LN is constantly looking for ways to enhance the Latinx experience for professionals and students alike. Becoming a LN member within the ACPA member portal will ensure you are connected with all of our upcoming events and initiatives.

Ready to join?

 

Contact LN via email at [email protected] to learn more about ACPA’s Latinx Network.

Sign up for the ACPA LN Newsletter and Social Media: https://linktr.ee/ACPA_LN

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

  • 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
  • Attend the LN Writer’s Group meetings

Additional involvement opportunities

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].

Latinx Writer’s Group

Every year, we bring together a cohort of dedicated Scholar-Practitioners who are interested in embracing and supporting each other’s writing and professional development.

Through structured goal oriented meetings lead by our Faculty Liaison, cohorts choose yearly goals, initiatives and projects. Individual Scholars-Practitioners work on both individual and group centered writing and publishing goals, professional conference presentations, academic poster presentations and more. As our cohort of Scholars-Practitioners progress through their involvement and new cohorts of Scholar-Practitioners enter the writer’s group, it is expected they assist in mentoring, and guiding first year cohort members while initiating and collaborating on their respective projects in the hopes of advancing their scholarship goals, and the advancement of Latinx Scholar-Practitioners within the field of Student Affairs.

For more information on how to become involved in the Latin@/x Writers Group, Please contact our Faculty Liaison/Writers Group Liaison: Dr. Stephen Santa Ramirez, [email protected]

Meet the LN Directorate Board

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

Co-Chair

she/ella
The University of Arizona
[email protected]

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

Co-Chair

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

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

Past Co-Chair

he/him/his/el

Ray Plaza, PhD
Ray Plaza, PhD

Council of Chairs Coordinator

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

(Previous LN Chair)

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

Past-Chair

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

Ashley Mena
Ashley Mena

Administrative Officer & West Coast Representative

Melanie Pagan
Melanie Pagan

Council of Chairs

she/they
Harvard University
[email protected]

Luis Garay
Luis Garay

Historian

they/them or name
Elon University
[email protected]

Diane Gaskin
Diane Gaskin

Member-At-Large

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

Enrique Robles
Enrique Robles

Advocacy Co-Chair

he/him/his
University at Buffalo

Blanca Moncada
Blanca Moncada

Advocacy Co-Chair

she/her/hers

University of San Francisco

Cesar Cruz

Community Engagement Co-Chair

he/him/his
Babson College 

[email protected]

 

Alejandro Monroy
Alejandro Monroy

Community Engagement Co-Chair

He/him

University of Chicago 

Ysatiz Pinero

Ysatiz Pinero

Educational Programs Co-Chair

she/her/hers
University of Colorado

 

Hugo Yepez
Hugo Yepez

Member at Large

Ariana Mora Mero
Ariana Mora Mero

Member at Large

she/her/hers
California State University – Fullerton

[email protected]

Denis Garcia Reyes
Denis Garcia Reyes

Member at Large

he/him/el
Virginia Commonwealth University

[email protected]

Emily Manzo
Emily Manzo

Member at Large

she/her/her

The Ohio State University 

Abigail Ramos
Abigail Ramos

Mentoring Co-Chair

she/her/hers
Texas A&M University 

[email protected]

Stephanie Bautista
Stephanie Bautista

Mid Atlantic Representative

she/her/hers
Georgetown University 

[email protected]

Daniella Feijoo, M.S.Ed
Daniella Feijoo, M.S.Ed

Midwest Representative

she/her/hers
Northwestern Illinois University

Mercedes Diaz
Mercedes Diaz

Northeast Representative

she/her/hers
Rutgers University – NB

 

Jorgé Almonte-Florimon

Social Co-Chair

he/him
Rutgers University

[email protected]

 

Stephanie Cardoza-Cruz
Stephanie Cardoza-Cruz

Social Media Coordinator

she/her/hers
University of Illinois – Urbana 

 

Nallely Dominguez Holguin
Nallely Dominguez Holguin

Social Co Chair

she/her/hers
Colorado State University 

Francine Coker, MBA
Francine Coker, MBA

Southeast Representative

she/her/hers
University of Miami

 

Cecilia Castillo
Cecilia Castillo

Southwest Representative

she/her/hers
UT-Austin

 

Anthony Vargas
Anthony Vargas

Mentoring Co-Chair

He/Him
University of Buffalo

[email protected]

Pamela De La Torre
Pamela De La Torre

Westcoast Representative

she/her/hers
California State University SB

[email protected]

Joe Palencia
Joe Palencia

Community College Representative & Member at Large

He/Him
Truman College 

[email protected]

Latinx Awards

The Latinx Network receives nominations each year for those who have made an impact to the Latinx community on their campus, the student affairs profession, and/or ACPA.

Outstanding Contribution to Equity & Social Justice

Outstanding Dedication to Multicultural Affairs

Latinx Outstanding Mid-Level Professional

Latinx Outstanding New Professional

Erik M. Colon Outstanding Graduate Student Award 

Dr. John Hernandez Leadership Award 

Community Engagement Service Awards 

Latinx Student Success Award 

For more information, or to get involved, contact [email protected]

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