Hispanic/Latin@ Organizations at Ohio State:
Get involved!

With more than 800 registered student organizations, Ohio State offers students great opportunities to get involved in a wide variety of areas of interest including academic, social, religious, and many more. Since this magazine focuses on Hispanic/Latin@ community, we present to our readers information on some Hispanic/Latin@ student organizations that fall under the umbrella of the University-wide Council of Hispanic Organizations (UCHO).

To see the full directory of student organizations, please visit http://ohiounion.osu.edu/studentorgs/orgs_directory.asp.

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 Latin@/ Hispanic students, faculty, and staff at The Ohio State University.

Among other events, UCHO sponsors the Hispanics in Higher Education Conference to provide Latin@/Hispanic undergraduate students with the tools to successfully prepare for graduate school. Please visit http://quepasa.osu.edu/issues/sp09/sp12.html for an article on this topic in our recent spring issue.

For more information on UCHO or any other organization, please contact Alex Flores, UCHO President, at flores.95@osu.edu.

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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 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.

Alpha Psi Lambda has a long-standing tradition of bearing very successful alumni. To see what some Alpha Psi Lambda alumni are doing for their community, please visit the article in our last Winter issue at http://quepasa.osu.edu/issues/wi09/w2.html.

For more information, please visit http://apl.org.ohio-state.edu or contact Jennifer Caceres at caceres.9@osu.edu

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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. All chapters of SHPE from around the country attend this event which allows students to network with other future Latin@ engineers. 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.”

Among other events, SHPE shows its commitment to support nationwide initiatives to increase the number of college students in the areas of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics through its yearly STEM Challenge. To learn about last year’s STEM challenge, visit http://quepasa.osu.edu/issues/wi09/w1.html.

For more information, please contact Jonathan Gomez at gomez.51@osu.edu or visit SHPE website: http://shpe.org.ohio-state.edu.

Phi Iota Alpha is the oldest Latino fraternity in existence, established on Dec. 26, 1931. We dedicate ourselves to empowering the Latino community through intensive social and cultural programs geared toward the appreciation, promotion and preservation of the Latin American culture.

We cherish and live by the ideals set forth by our forefathers (our Five Pillars). Our organization prides itself in the ability to motivate people, develop leaders, build a strong network, and create new ways to unite our community. To this end, each member swears loyalty not only to himself but also to a greater cause, his people and Latin America.

Become a legacy and a brother. Four presidents in Latin America were born from this. There is no reason why you should not become a leader.

For more information, please contact OSU-chapter founding member, Nick Brown "Ramirez", at ramirez@midwestphiotas.org.

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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.

In 2006, LLSA presented the Latino Law Summit to discuss such topics as immigration policy, guest worker programs, and educational, housing, and wage disparities between Latinos and non-Hispanic whites. In 2008, seven LLSA delegates represented The Ohio State University at the National Latino Law Student Association (NLLSA) conference in New Mexico. For additional information about the NLLSA experience, please visit http://quepasa.osu.edu/issues/sp09/sp5.html.

For more information, please contact Gina Bennett at bennett.547@buckeyemail.osu.edu.

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The Latin@ Graduate & Professional Student Association (LGPSA) formerly recognized as Hispanic Graduate Organization (HGO) was created for Hispanic/Latin@ graduate and professional students as a means of promoting personal and professional development, providing support in the goal of academic success for our community. Simultaneously, LGPSA is committed to promoting social activities and gatherings that give students the opportunity to interact with other Latin@ students. Our activities include but are not limited to movie nights, quarterly trips, and faculty presentations. We are also committed to providing students with outreach opportunities both within the university community and beyond.

For more information, please contact President Desireé Vega at vega.48@osu.edu

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HBSA is an organization targeting students who embrace the 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 that will be essential to their success. Businesses such as Abbott Laboratories, Abercrombie & Fitch, American Greetings and Limited Brands present internships and full-time opportunities to our members at meetings and teach students the importance and value of networking skills. HBSA also presents a university-wide event called Thanksgiving Dinner with a Salsa Twist, and the HBSA Soccer Classic.

For more information, please contact Simone Delerme at delerme.1@osu.edu.

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FLGA serves to increase the profile and opportunities for Latino students at the Fisher College of Business. FLGA’s main goal is to encourage personal and professional development, provide support and assist its members in their academic development at the Fisher College of Business. In particular, the organization will focus on identifying and networking with Latino leaders, building fellowship among its members and addressing issues that face the Latino community. FLGA is also dedicated to promoting and coordinating social and cultural awareness and activities. The organization will be used as a platform to develop future leaders in the Latino community.

For more information, please contact Lori Guzman at guzman.48@osu.edu.

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Lambda Theta Phi is a social/service Latino fraternity that emphasizes Latin unity and the celebration of the Latin culture. Established nationally on Dec. 1, 1975, Lambda theta Phi is the first nationally recognized Latino-Greek Letter fraternity and it is one of the largest Latino fraternities in the country, expanding throughout the United States in over 100 institutions. The fraternity's goals are to promote scholarship, Latin unity, respect for all cultures and brotherhood. The organization strives to make an impact on not just undergraduate students, but also their surrounding community at large through positive social actions. With a 95 percent national graduation rate, brothers of Lambda Theta Phi have gone on to become doctors, lawyers, scientists, accountants, engineers, recording artists, entrepreneurs, politicians and prominent leaders in various areas of the country. Although Lambda Theta Phi is Latino by tradition, membership is open to all college males, as there are brothers from very diverse cultural backgrounds.

Two of the main events hosted by Lambda Theta Phi are the National Brotherhood Convention, which is held every other year, and the National Conference, held in between those years. These national events bring Brothers together from different regions of the country, both undergraduate and alumni members; they also allow older and new members to congregate, network, and share the bond held by all Brothers of Lambda Theta Phi.

Lambda Theta Phi is new at Ohio State. In this issue, we also present an article about the founding brothers of this Latino organization (Visit quepasa_site\issues\su09\s12.html)

For more information, please visit www.lambda1975.org or contact David Bueno at osulambdas@gmail.com.

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The purpose of Strength, Unity, & Respect (SUR) is to increase the retention and graduation rates of 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. Our ambitions are to: challenge the status quo of apathy and disconnect, establish an academic community, provide support to promote Latino academic success, and the use of mentorship to promote community.

SUR events include monthly general meetings, cultural awareness, and social events with peer organizations. Members have the opportunity to engage with undergraduate, graduate, and professional students, faculty, and staff through monthly presentations. In addition, the Multicultural Center provides active support of SUR and the membership.

For more information, please contact Levy Reyes at Levy.Reyes@osumc.edu.

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The Organization of Hispanic Faculty and Staff (OHFS) is the organization of all Latin@ faculty and staff at The Ohio State University. Our mission is to support the success and well being of Latin@ students, faculty and staff of the university. The OHFS promotes a sense of community by addressing issues of relevance for faculty and staff at Ohio State. We meet monthly to discuss issues of general concern to the membership, and often work in collaboration with the Hispanic Oversight Committee.

OHFS plays an important role in providing educational, social and cultural opportunities for faculty and staff at Ohio State. In the past, OHFS co-sponsored the national premiere of the Costa Rican film Caribe and the Ecuador Cultural Ambassadors Program, helping to bring artists, film makers, and musicians from Costa Rica and Ecuador to our campus. In addition, OHFS sponsors socials for faculty and staff to get to know each other, and supports academic events such as the first ever conference on graduate education led by the University-Wide Council of Hispanic Organizations.

Students should not hesitate to contact us about what is on their mind and what kind of support we can provide for Latin@ students. We hope to see you on Ohio State’s campus soon!

Jesus Lara
Co-Chair, Organization of Hispanic Faculty and Staff
lara.13@osu.edu

Cyndi Freeman
Co-Chair, Organization of Hispanic Faculty and Staff
freeman-fail.1@osu.edu

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The Hispanic Oversight Committee (HOC) is pleased to know you are considering the Ohio State University as an option in your college search. At Ohio State, diversity is very important and the university leadership has shown strong support for Hispanic/Latin@ issues. Appointed by the Provost, the HOC’s main function 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, and Hispanic/Latin@ cultural and academic enrichment. Specific initiatives the HOC is currently working on include supporting the continued development of the Latino/a Studies program, enhancing graduate student recruitment, and obtaining increased funds for Hispanics related activities.

The HOC is a body to represent the Hispanic/Latin@ community at Ohio State, so I encourage everyone to become involved and support our efforts. Please don’t hesitate to contact me if I can be of any help, and we hope to see you on campus someday!

José Castro
Chair, Hispanic Oversight Committee
castro.38@osu.edu

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