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Among the organizations registered at the Ohio Union, students can find numerous that concern Hispanic/ Latin@ interests:
The University-wide Council of Hispanic Organizations (UCHO)
UCHO is the umbrella organization for all Hispanic organizations at The Ohio State University. Its main goals are to foster communications among various social, professional, and educational Latin@/Hispanic organizations and to advocate for the continuing developmental, social, and cultural programming for Latino/ Hispanic students, faculty, and staff at The Ohio State University.
Alpha Psi Lambda, Inc. - Alpha Chapter
Alpha Psi Lambda is the nation’s first and largest co-ed Latino interest fraternity. We pride ourselves in being active members in the Latino community at the Ohio State and promoting and advocating for Latino interests. Our purpose at Ohio State and throughout the nation is to enrich the lives of anyone interested in the Latino cultures throughout their undergraduate career and on and to provide a family away from home, something that can't be found in just any organization. At Ohio State, Alpha Psi Lambda is known for its annual programs, such as International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women, Unas Palabritas (a poetry session which has featured student, local, and famous poets such as Saul Williams and La Bruja), and César Chávez’ week.
Latino Law Students Association (LLSA)
The Latino Law Student Association (LLSA) is an organization dedicated to preparing its members for their professional roles in society and to promoting awareness of Latino and minority interests in the legal profession. LLSA objectives include advancing the interests and welfare of its members, the law school, and community as a whole.
LLSA strives to join Latino students with lawyers to build awareness and promote community activism related to legal and social issues that minority groups face. The organization promotes scholarship among Latino students, provides leadership by sponsoring conferences related to Latino and minority legal and policy issues, and organizes community projects benefiting minority communities. LLSA actively collaborates with other organizations in the Moritz College of Law, the Ohio State University, as well as other minority organizations within the state and nation.
Hispanic Oversight Committee (HOC)
Appointed by the Provost, the primary function of the HOC is to serve as a voice for the OSU Hispanic/Latin@ community to the university administration. The HOC focuses its energies on the recruitment and retention of Latin@ faculty, staff, and students while seeking to promote Hispanic/Latin@ cultural and academic enrichment. Among the surrent initiatives that the HOC is currently promoting are the continued development of the Latino/a Studies program, enhancing graduate student recruitment, and obtaining increased funds for Hispanics related activities.
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)
SHPE welcomes students who are majoring in engineering and science and who are interested in learning what takes place beyond the classroom. Each year, several guest speakers from various companies share their knowledge at our meetings to help members gain insight into the engineering workplace and the options that are available after graduation. During the fall quarter SHPE attends a national convention that includes multiple educational seminars and a career fair. The career fair provides students with interviews with all types of companies throughout America and is a great opportunity to find an internship. The goals of SHPE are best embodied by its mission statement, “SHPE promotes the development of Hispanics in engineering, science and other technical professions to achieve educational excellence, economic opportunity and social equity.”
Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.
“It is quite a daunting task to move 1,200 miles from home to start your own life and become a successful student, but Lambda Theta Phi welcomed me with open arms familiar to the ‘familia’ ideals that I am so accustomed to back in Houston, Texas and made the transition much smoother. Needless to say my first year of brotherhood has provided me with opportunity, excitement, and triumph … En La Union Está La Fuerza.”
Hispanic Business Student
Association (HBSA)
HBSA is an organization that targets students who embrace Hispanic culture within Fisher College of Business, or with a general interest in business. The organization seeks to help students hone business skills, increase professionalism, and create a competitive advantage when entering the workforce.
Throughout the year, HBSA hosts a number of events that help students acquire leadership and teambuilding skills, which will be essential to their success. Businesses such as Abbott Laboratories, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Greetings, and Limited Brands present internship and full-time employment opportunities to members at and teach students the importance of networking skills. HBSA also presents a university-wide event called, “Thanksgiving Dinner with a Salsa Twist,” as well as the HBSA Soccer Classic.
Strength, Unity, & Respect
Latino Group
The purpose of Strength, Unity, & Respect (SUR) is to increase retention and graduation rates among Latino males in higher education. The tenets of SUR are to create a network of students, staff, and faculty that share a philosophy of support and brotherhood. Their goals are to challenge the status quo of apathy and disconnect, establish an academic community, provide support to promote Latino academic success, and to use mentorship to promote community.
Phi Iota Alpha Latino Fraternity, Inc.
“I was intrigued by its vast history: being the oldest Latino fraternity in existence (1931), with Latin American presidents from Panama, Colombia, and Honduras. I was also attracted to its main vision: La Unión De La Patria Latino Americana. Lastly, I was impressed by the fraternity following revolutionary pillars, which had fought for Latin American independence throughout the 1700s and 1800s.”
This is just a small sampling of the different organizations available at Ohio State. For more information about other Hispanic/Lati@ organizations, (including Folclor Hispano, College Assistant Migrant Program Alumni Association (CAMPAA), Canto Latino, Puerto Rican Students Association (PRSA), Oi Brasil!, Asociación de Estudiantes Mexicanos (AEM), and Club Tropical) please visit our website at
http://quepasa.osu.edu/organizations
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