Latino Alumni Association

Wednesday, November 29, 2007

We at the Latino Alumni Association wish you and your loved ones a wonderful holiday season.
For further information, please reply to Gavin Mariano.

Table of Contents

Gavin Mariano—President
Jessica Maria Montalvo—Vice-President:
Robert Garcia —Member At-Large
Cindy Cervantes-Closser—Member At-Large
A.Y. "Fred" Ramirez, Ph.D., OWS|- Member At-Large
Manuel Montalvo—Member At-Large
Alice Jordan-Miles—Treasurer
Lillian Casillas—Ex-Officio
Daniel Simonsohn—Immediate Past-President
Clarence Boone—Indiana University Alumni Association Liaison
Dr. Yolanda Trevino—Ex-Officio
David Ortiz—Chairman of the Distinguished Alumni/Annual Meeting Committee
From Our President and Vice President
2007 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Arthur Andrew Lopez
Marketing Report

Gavin Mariano graduated from IU Bloomington, class of 2001. Mariano played a large role in the Latino student community while at IU. As the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college, Mariano majored in political science and got a Spanish minor

Gavin Mariano—President Gavin Mariano graduated from IU Bloomington, class of 2001. Mariano played a large role in the Latino student community while at IU. As the first member of his family to attend and graduate from college, Mariano majored in political science and got a Spanish minor. Mariano, who resides in Northwest Indiana, has worked for the Crisis Center Inc. since 2001 in the areas of direct care, program coordinator, and technical support.

Jessica Maria Montalvo graduated from IU Bloomington, class of 2003. Montalvo was active with the Latino community while attending IU. As the first member of her family to complete college directly after high school, Montalvo majored in Spanish education with an English minor.

Currently, Montalvo resides in Fort Wayne, Ind. and is on her third year as a Spanish teacher for Homestead High School for the Southwest Allen County School District.

Robert Garcia is a graduate of IU Bloomington. He graduated with a BS in accounting in 1995.

Garcia currently resides in the Chicago area and is the vice president at Fusion Capital, a broad-based investment fund dedicated to meeting the business needs of partner companies. Garcia has worked extensively in the brokerage firm and investment fund area. He has helped manage private equity investments in publicly traded companies and has been involved in identifying potential investments.

Cindy Cervantes-Closser, now serving as a member at-large, received a BA in both telecommunications and Spanish from IU Bloomington in 2000.

Cervantes-Closser lives in Indianapolis and has worked for Gexpro (formerly GE Supply) for almost eight years. She has a sales role supporting the GE Energy Valve account out of Schenectady, NY. She continues to volunteer time to raise monies for the United Way and its agencies through her office.

Born and raised in Santa Barbara, Calif., A.Y. “Fred” Ramirez graduated with an AA from Santa Barbara City College, then a BA from San Diego State University where he majored in social studies. Ramirez then pursued an MA at Loyola Marymount University in Los Angeles. He graduated in 1999 from the IU School of Education with a PhD in curriculum studies and a minor in education policy.

Currently, he teaches at California State University, Fullerton in the Department of Secondary Education.

Manuel Montalvo attended IU Bloomington. He immediately declared political science as a major and excelled academically adding Spanish as a second major. Montalvo graduated from IU with a BA double major from the College of Arts and Sciences in May 1998.

Montalvo was appointed by the Lake County Council in 2004 to the East Chicago Library Board of Trustees. In 2005, he was appointed by Mayor George Pabey to be the City of East Chicago's information technology director. In 2006, Montalvo became president of the Library Board and eventually became interim director of the East Chicago Public Library.

Alice Jordan-Miles began her education at IU as a groups student and subsequently graduated from IU Bloomington with a BA from the College of Arts and Sciences. Later, she attended IPFW and earned an MS in education.

Currently, she works at Molina Healthcare in Merrillville, Ind. as a corporate market analyst.

Lillian Casillas is the director of La Casa, the Latino Cultural Center. She earned her BA in Spanish in1989 and an MS in education in 1998 from IU Bloomington.

Her university and community work is directly involved in issues that directly affect the Latino community. With the university, she serves as a resource and support for Latino students, faculty, and staff.

Within the Bloomington community, she helps provide support and access for Latinos to educational, health, social, and other community services while acting as a resource for these same agencies.

Daniel Simonsohn was born in Bogotá, Colombia, and was raised in New York City. He received a BA in political science from IU Bloomington in 1976. From 1974 to 1976, he played varsity soccer for the Hoosiers under coach Jerry Yeagley.

In 1977, Simonsohn was a graduate assistant with La Casa. He received an MBA from the Inter-American University of Puerto Rico in 1980. He has had 25 years of experience as a project manager in the telecommunications industry with AT&T, Lucent, and Avaya Communications. From 1989 to 2003, he was involved with HISPA, the Hispanic Association representing more than 5,000 AT&T, Lucent and Avaya employees. He served as HISPA's international president from 1998-2003. He has also been a member of the National Association of Hispanic MBA's.

n addition to serving as our immediate past president of IULAA, he is a member of IULAA's executive council.

From 1993 to 2002, Clarence Boone held joint appointments. With the IUAA, Boone was an affiliate club director, with the IU Foundation he was a development officer, and with the Office of Student Development and Diversity he was director of the Office of Community and School Partnerships. In 2002, he began serving as IUAA director of Diversity Programming. Among his duties, he coordinated activities for both the Neal-Marshall Alumni Club and the African American Arts Institute Alumni Association. Since then, he has added the following affiliate groups to his portfolio: the Latino Alumni Association, the Groups Alumni Association, and the Asian Alumni Association. He coordinates alumni events and programs that specifically target minority alumni, faculty, staff, and students. Boone assists the IUAA in increasing minority involvement and participation; identifies and cultivates prospective minority alumni leaders and donors; and serves as a liaison to the Office of Diversity, Equity and Multicultural Affairs.

Dr. Yolanda Treviño, earned her PhD in higher education from IU in 2004. She also holds an MS from Northern Illinois University and a BA from Baylor University in Texas. Currently, she works as an assistant dean at the IU Graduate School in Bloomington. She is the IU director for the Midwest Crossroads Alliance for Graduate Education and the Professoriate, a National Science Foundation grant program which develops and implements innovative programs that promote the academic success of graduate students, with a special interest in activities designed to advance under-represented minority students in science, technology, engineering and mathematics degree programs. Treviño is responsible for diversity-building fellowships and serves as the ombudsperson for the Graduate and Professional Student Organization, the official graduate student government for IU.

Treviño is actively involved in her local community and serves or has served on the board of directors of the following organizations: IU Latino Faculty and Staff Council, IU Credit Union, Bloomington Rotary Club, and Middle Way House Inc.

David Ortiz has worked in higher education for over ten years. He is a sought after keynote speaker, presenter, and consultant on issues of diversity, leadership, and student development. Ortiz has facilitated numerous workshops and presentations at regional and national conferences.

Currently, Ortiz has been conducting research and presentations on leadership for diverse student populations, retention of students of color, and Latino Greeks. He is principal author and researcher of the Five Pillar Assessment, a pilot study and assessment tool designed to measure levels of Latino Greek integration and success on individual college campuses. Additionally, he was the recipient of the 2005 Outstanding Research Award from both the Texas Association for Student Personnel Administrators and the National Orientation Directors Association for his research on Latino student retention.

Ortiz is an assistant professor of education and director of the Master of Education Program at Concordia University, Texas. He earned his PhD in higher education administration from IU. Ortiz earned his Master's in educational administration and Bacheor's in sociology both from Texas A&M University.

Welcome to the official IU Latino Alumni Association. As the president of this honorable association, I hope your experience is a great one. Don’t hesitate to explore each and every link on our Web site. Check out the board members and read their biographies—you may find you know someone. Also, keep tuned to our upcoming events, sign up to become a paid member, volunteer and more, right here on our Web site.

In this—the 21st century—we cannot discount the effectiveness of the Web. In fact, in some cases, a Web site is the focal driving point for awareness or business in both the public and private sector. As an undergraduate at the Bloomington campus, I witnessed a stunning evolution of technology on campus—all designed to help students communicate more effectively and keep up with the technological influences they will face during their tenure in education and the work force.

Below is my contact information. I welcome all those visiting today to send me your ideas about the current and future prospect of this affiliate group. I am eager to work with the fine individuals serving on our board, to maintain current standards while improving and advancing others. Some of those goals include increasing the paid membership, and reinstating a mentoring program for deserving undergraduates. Expect to see and hear from us more, not only with our regular, yearly events such as the Distinguished Alumni Association and undergraduate scholarship awards, but also via our newsletter, regional reunions, business summits, and other worthwhile and beneficial programs and events designed to offer our highly regarded Latino alumni the resources and benefits expected from a groups like ours—not to mention a lot of fun and nostalgia.

Being a part of this association is just the icing on the cake for me—and the cake has been very sweet. From my IU license plate, to my IU bathroom, there’s no lack of commemoration for this university. I also intend to earn an MBA beginning in January from—where else?—IU. There are also fond memories of IU: winning the presidency of the Latinos Unidos organizations, enrolling in classes during the inaugural year of the Latino Studies departments, and serving as the student representative for this very group during its inaugural year in 2000 after then-Latino advocate Georgia Burgueño championed its creation. I owe a lot to Georgia, Dean Torchinky, Dean Mckaig, and a whole host of others for my remarkable experiences at IU, just like you certainly have your honorable mentions for your tenure at an IU campus—these memories are to be cherished and celebrated. Becoming an official member of the IU Latino Alumni Association is just the start.

I look forward to hearing from you; my executive board and at-large members do as well. ¡Hasta pronto!

Gavin Mariano, B.A. ’01

Join Us!

Let's think back. Think about how difficult it was to be away from home, exploring a new way of life without mom's tortillas or arroz con leche. Think about how we lived on soup or cereal. And let me just say, at this very moment, our IU Latino undergrads are deciding whether to make chicken or shrimp Ramen.

Honestly, it has taken me four years to come back as an active alumnus of IU. When we graduate, we think about specific real-life responsibilities we suddenly have. We don't think about how we can give back to our university when we have student loans to pay back. I would bet a year's tuition that we all experienced something like this when we graduated which is why we all haven't come back just yet.

Bottom line, every alumni association asks for donations or membership. They either call you or bombard you with postcards, mailers or e-mails. But let's face it, without our donations or membership to IULAA, we aren't able to provide our networking and industry-tailored events and scholarships to our future leaders..

Your membership is crucial. Unity is power. So now that I have you craving your mom's tortillas, think about how you can make a difference to someone who used to be you at one time. Your support is greatly appreciated and needed. You not only shape the foundation of IULAA's future, but our fellow Latino Hoosiers as well. Please join us in our mission by joining the IULAA network. Membership in the IUAA includes membership in IULAA. Membership for one year is $40; new/recent graduates $20.

Followed is a link to the registration page. Copy and paste this Web site and fill out the information. Please add the following note in the comment section at the bottom of the registration page, "For membership to the Indiana University Latino Alumni Association." https://alumni.indiana.edu/membership/index.php?t=1

From left to right: Manuel Montalvo, at-large member; IU President Michael A. McRobbie, 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award Recipient Arthur Andrew Lopez; Laurie Burns McRobbie; Cindy Cervantes-Closser, At-large member; Jessica Maria Montalvo, IULAA Vice-President; Gavin Mariano, IULAA President; Danny Simonsohn, IULAA Immediate Past President.

Arthur A. Lopez

By Adriana Figueroa

"When you grow up 5'6” in tough neighborhoods, you can't cry," commented Arthur Lopez, recipient of this year's Distinguished Latino Alumni Award. While growing up in the inner city of Chicago, it was difficult for Lopez to avoid the street life and its negative influences. His father, an illegal immigrant who became a citizen after fighting in World War II, tried to assimilate his son into the American culture by teaching him only English. Although Lopez's father wanted the best for his son, his father did not understand the importance of a college education.

Today, Lopez is known to be a "passionate advocate for civil rights." Arthur Lopez is a true public servant and is devoted to public service by staying active and giving back to the community. In 2006, Lopez created Nadar Por Vida (Swimming for Life), where he and his volunteer coaches teach primarily at-risk Hispanic children to become competitive swimmers. Lopez emphasizes to children the importance of an education by saying, "What defines you is the education you achieve."

Lopez was the first Hispanic lawyer in 150 years at the International Harvester, he served as special counsel to President Clinton, he worked at the Office of Chief Counsel of the Federal Transit Administration in Washington D.C., and is currently employed as a Special Assistant to the Deputy Director for the U.S. Office of Government Ethics.

Another person who played a major role in Lopez's life was his mother. "Lawyer school" is the term his mother would proudly say when Lopez was attending Indiana University School of Law. Despite the fact that she had little education, she was the backbone of the family. Lopez went on to say, "Every recognition I receive, I receive it in her name." Cheers to Arthur Lopez for making a difference in our community.

Rosa Carolina Maldonado recognized at Luncheon

From left to right: Cindy Cervantes-Closser, At-large member; Gavin Mariano, IULAA President; Jessica Maria Montalvo, IULAA Vice-President; Mr. Maldonado; 2007 Scholarship Award recipient Rosa Carolina Maldonado; Manuel Montalvo, At-Large Member; Daniel Simonsohn, IULAA immediate past president

In 2003, the Indiana University Latino Alumni Association created the Latino Alumni Association Undergraduate Scholarship. The purpose of this award is to fund and recognize students who are prepared academically, involved in their community, exhibit leadership qualities benefiting the Latino community and work to foster an appreciation of the Latino experience in the United States.

Rosa Carolina Maldonado is this year's recipient of the 2007-08 Latino Alumni Association's Undergraduate Scholarship valued at $1,000. Now a sophomore, she is the first person in her family to attend college. Her academic objective is to earn a BS in business with a business process management focus from the Kelley School of Business. Her academic achievements have brought her GPA to a 3.79.

Her community involvement includes working with the Monroe County Community School Corporation in their ESL tutoring program. She also dedicates time to El Centro Comunal, a resource for the Latino community members in Bloomington.

When asked about her mentors, she says, "My mentors were my parents. Of course they taught me right from wrong, but most importantly, they taught me persistence. They also taught me not to allow others think less of me because of my gender or because of my race, and because of this I did not feel uncomfortable in the mostly white community that I grew up in. My parents taught me to believe in myself so others will have no problem in believing in me also." We congratulate her and wish her continued success in her college career and future endeavors.

Dear fellow IU Alumni:

In 2000, members of the IU community formed the IU Latino Alumni Association (IULAA). The organization's mission is to stimulate and foster an environment of positive interaction between IU, IUAA, and the community of Latino alumni. Focused on providing a venue for professional Latinos, members have worked diligently to create awareness of the benefits of IULAA.

As the pace of globalization increases, professional communities and networks will become important as connections are leveraged to gain a more competitive advantage in our careers. Globalization has brought about the desire for such services as Facebook and Myspace. Their goal is to communicate with the world at large. But we now have been experiencing the second phase from a networking perspective - specialization within the global framework. In 2000 everyone wanted to communicate with everyone else in the world from Mexico to China and India. Now, targeted groups seek out other targeted groups in a global setting. These groups are now subsets of global networks within the whole global community. Examples include Linkedin and the hundreds of various demographically targeted websites available. The goal of IULAA is to be the premier organization to facilitate new contacts, new business opportunities, and foster a positive environment for Latinos, IU, and the community.

Increasing membership and providing relevant events to our alumni is paramount. Some events that we intend to organize include professional networking events, tailored professional industry events and our annual Latino Awards Luncheon. Please feel free to contact me to learn more about IULAA and events we will be organizing.

Robert A. Garcia B.S. '95

We will begin highlighting the accomplishments of our Latino alumni on our Web site and e-newsletters. If you would like to take part please submit your profile and accomplishments to Robert A. Garcia

Dr. Yolanda Trevino presenting the IULAA scholarship to Carol Maldonado.

Gavin Mariano and Dean Richard McKaig at the IULAA Distinguished Alumni and Scholarship Recipient Luncheon on September 15, 2007.