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.
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:
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- 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.
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For more information contact [email protected].
Latin@/x Network Mentoring Program:
Growing Our Own
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:
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- Self-Assessment (take inventory)
- Research (next steps and what they look like)
- Development of a Plan “Portfolio” (resume building)
Through this three pronged approach, our intended outcomes for professionals are:
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- 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
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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:
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- 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.
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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
Ashley Mena, M.Ed.
Administrative Officer & West Coast Representative
they/she
Searching
Blanca Moncada
Administrative Officer Elect
she/her/hers
San Jose State University
Jose A. Marroquin, MBA, MA
Past Co-Chair
he/him/his/el
Society of Actuaries
Ray Plaza, PhD
Council of Chairs Coordinator, Past Co-Chair
he/him/his/el
Santa Clara University
[email protected]
Karen Perez-Seyforth
Communications and Social Media Co-Chair
Brandeis University
Enrique Robles
Member at Large Early Career
he/him/his
Indiana University Bloomington
Francarlo Resto
Member at Large Mid Career
Otis College of Art and Design
Elijah Vasquez
Member at Large Senior Career
University of Michigan
Francine Coker, MBA
Social Coordinator
she/her/hers
University of Miami
Diane Gaskin
Educational Program Co-Chair
they/ella/she
University of California, Davis
[email protected]
Hugo Yepez
Educational Programs Co-Chair
Nallely Dominguez Holguin
Regional Representative - Southwest
she/her/hers
Colorado State University
Stephanie Bautista
Regional Representative - Midwest
she/her/hers
University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign
Mercedes Diaz
Regional Representative - Northeast
she/her/hers
Rutgers University – NB