Leaders of Hispanic/Latin@ student organizations (featured in the Winter 2006 issue) are crucial to their group’s success. But while the spotlight may often fall on them, there are other key figures in the background — their advisors — who are just as important.

Advisors not only take care of the day-to-day managerial tasks related to these organizations, but they also serve as role models of success. They act as mentors who encourage organization leaders to achieve academic and personal goals. They also are guides who teach those involved in the organizations how to deal with administrative procedures. By providing stability and experience, advisors enable the running and maintenance of a successful organization.

There are many reasons that being an advisor of a Hispanic/Latin@ student organization is important. These advisors support a minority group, contribute to increase awareness of diversity on campus, and help train future generations of leaders. Following is a salute to our advisors and to the hard work that they continually do to promote our cultures.


Keith Kilty
Alpha Psi Lambda

Keith Kilty - Alpha Psi Lambda

Kilty, who has been the academic advisor of Alpha Psi Lambda for three years, says: “My approach to serving as an advisor is to be relatively hands off, and to let students take the initiative in what they are doing. I am available as a resource when they feel they can use it. I realize that student organization leaders will sometimes make mistakes, but that is part of the learning process: to become adept at getting projects completed by learning to organize timelines and to delegate responsibility to other members.”

“Keith Kilty helps us by always listening to our concerns. He is well informed about his role in helping us achieve our goals and requirements for Greek Life. He is able to offer vital information about issues and concerns about Latin@ populations in the community and at Ohio State.” Anisa Shomo (President - Alpha Psi Lambda)


David Harrison
Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA)

David Harrison - HBSA

“As the advisor, I have been involved with HBSA since its inception in 1993. I believe that advising student organizations allows faculty / administrators an opportunity to get to know and support student endeavors outside of the classroom, around the campus and in the local, national and even international communities. Under my direction, OSU has provided funding sponsorship for student attendance at the HBSA organization’s undergraduate annual leadership conference. Since 1993, over 150 undergraduate Hispanic/Latin@ business students from OSU have attended the National Hispanic Business Student Leadership Conference.”


Richard Gordon
Oi Brasil!

Richard Gordon - Oi Brasil!

“I have been with the organization for the quarter that the organization has been active. The Oi Brasil! Club was formed because of the interest that students had in forming a club that promotes awareness of Brazilian and Luso-cultures through language, music and dance. I look for ways to promote Portuguese on campus, and wanted to do what I could to help build and promote Oi Brasil! The student leaders of the organization have done a remarkable job launching and building this organization. They have put to good use their unique existing leadership and managerial skills.”

“Professor Richard Gordon has truly energized efforts to grow the Portuguese program at OSU and foment interest about the Portuguese-speaking world around campus. His enthusiasm, ingenuity and dedication to promoting awareness of Brazilian culture have greatly contributed to Oi Brasil!’s presence on campus and in the community.” Monica Faust (President - Oi Brasil!)


Samary Cecchetti
Hispanic Organization for Texas Students (HOTS)

Samary Cecchetti - HOTS

“I have been the advisor for the HOTS since they became an organization in the winter of 2002. In the next couple of years, I hope to see the organization grow and include more students who are not from Texas. We are an open organization and everyone is welcome to join. One of the long term goals is to expand our organization to other colleges and universities that have a need for a HOTS organization on their campus.

“It is very important that our members develop leadership skills; whenever the organization wants to plan an event, a different member is asked to take the lead. This gives all the members of the organization an opportunity to take the lead and learn to coordinate and prioritize tasks so that the event turns out as planned.”

“Samary M. Cecchetti is a very active person who truly cares about the success of the organization. She willingly participates in fundraisers and supports the decisions made by students. She is a true asset to our organization.” Melissa Castillo (President - HOTS)


Christopher Fairman
Hispanic Law Students Association (HLSA)

Christopher Fairman - Hispanic Law Students Association

“I have worked with HLSA since my arrival at OSU in 2000. I have been the official faculty sponsor since 2003. Becoming involved with HLSA was really an easy decision for me. I am the only Latin@ faculty member at the Moritz College of Law, therefore I felt compelled to help the organization in any way I could.

“I have been blessed with truly energetic student leaders. They come to law school with both experience and dedication. I view my role as helping them fine-tune these skills and helping them use them efficiently.”

“Professor Christopher Fairman is a positive influence and role model for the members of HLSA. As a former recipient of the Alumni Award for Distinguished Teaching, he provides HLSA with a great sense of professionalism, expertise, and opportunity in the legal profession.” Hope Amezquita (President – HLSA)


Víctor Mora
Club Tropical

Víctor Mora - Club Tropical

“I have been involved with the organization since its very beginning three years ago. I became involved because I wanted to see the student’s enthusiasm and interest, and to provide my services, so that students would enjoy dancing and teaching salsa in a more organized manner.

“The students develop leadership skills by organizing events like salsa parties; they are the ones who are in charge of promotion, who make presentations to student organizations that request performances.”

“Víctor Mora is a true asset to our organization. He provides a unique sense of professionalism that allows us to be productive and strong. With his leadership and resources, Víctor has helped us expand our organization and explore new means of fundraising, publicity, and involvement in the university.” Megan Johnson (President - Club Tropical)


Arleen Pineda
Folclor Hispano

Arleen Pineda - Folclor Hispano

“I have been the advisor of the organization for seven years. Ever since I studied folkloric dance in Saltillo, Mexico, I was very interested in teaching and dancing folkloric dances. In the years that it has been active, our organization has grown so much, and it is through the support of the many students who have run the organization and have had the same desire to teach us the different dances from their native countries.”


Carla Onorato
Club Tropical – Folclor Hispano

Carla Onorato - Club Tropical and Folclor Hispano

“I have been the co-advisor of Folclor Hispano for three years and co-advisor of Club Tropical for three years.

“I come from Italy and Latin@ dancing is extremely popular there, and dancing in general is one of our favorite pastimes and passions. My main motivation to be involved with these organizations is my love of Hispanic/Latin@ dances and my desire to perpetuate this great tradition to new generations.”

“We are very grateful for Carla Onorato. Not only is she devoted to helping and supporting Club Tropical, but she also plays an essential part in the preparation, organization, and representation of our performance group. She’s an admirable dancer and a terrific leader for our organization.” Megan Johnson (President - Club Tropical)


José Castro
University-wide Council of Hispanic Organizations (UCHO) and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

José Castro - UCHO, SHPE

“I have been with SHPE for about six years and the advisor of UCHO since I became chair of the Hispanic Oversight Committee (HOC) in the autumn of 2005.

“I was interested in being involved with SHPE because it’s the engineering organization. I wanted to help the students in any way that I could. UCHO is also very interesting to me because members of all the other organizations are involved. This allows me to understand what all these organizations are doing, which is important for me as the chair of HOC. Being involved with student organizations takes time, but I feel rewarded working with the students.”

“José Castro has been advisor to UCHO since he was elected Chair of the Hispanic Oversight Committee (HOC) at the beginning of this school year. His enthusiasm and willingness to help have been key ingredients in the development and growth of our organization this year.” Carlos Alpízar (Chair - UCHO)


Raúl Herrera
Hispanic Graduate Association (HGO), Asociación de Estudiantes Mexicanos (AEM), Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Raúl Herrera - HGO, AEM, SHPE

“I have been involved with HGO for almost 22 years, with SHPE for almost 20 years, and with AEM for five years. I am part of these organizations because I truly enjoy being with young people; I like to offer my help and orientation. Being the advisor of an organization takes a lot of your free time; however, I try to always go to the meetings of the organizations. Sometimes just having the advisor there gives confidence and encouragement to the students.”

“Professor Raúl Herrera has been a mentor for many students of the Latin@ community not only at Ohio State but beyond the boundaries of the university. Professor Herrera is more than a role model; he is a true believer and a champion of the synergy that results from mutual understanding and learning through diversity in education!” Ligia Lundine (President - HGO)


Felicia Sawyer
Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Felicia Sawyer - SHPE

“I have been involved with SHPE for eight years. I believe the best way to show students that you’re interested in who they are, what they’re doing and what they’re trying to achieve is to be actively involved with them. I think that students enjoy their experience in the organization much more when they have an active advisor who is engaged and supportive of their efforts.”

“The advisors of The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, Felicia Sawyer, Dr. Castro and Dr. Herrera, have made an outstanding effort towards the success of the organization this academic year. Their combined efforts have allowed all the members of SHPE to come closer or transfer into the professional world of engineering.” Kris Adams (President - SHPE)

A group of advisors and student leaders of the Hispanic/Latin@ student organizations.