About Us

History

For many years there have been a number of faculty and staff members who have considered the need for a faculty and staff association to directly support the needs of Latinx/a/o, Latin American, and Hispanic-identified employees at USF. After some initial connections being made at a Status of Latinos Presidential Advisory Committee meeting, on Monday, April 26th at 10am, via Microsoft Teams, the following faculty and staff members at the University of South Florida met for the first time to discuss the creation of the first ever faculty and staff association for this community:

  • Roberto Jiménez Arroyo
  •  Jacob Diaz
  • Ivonne Hernandez, PhD, RN, IBCLC
  • Johanna Heule
  • Mónica Lee Miranda, Ph.D.
  • Carlos J. Moreira, M.B.A. USMC
  • Beatriz Padilla, Ph.D.
  • Clara Reynardus de Villanueva

  1. 2021

    1. First Meeting

      APRIL 26

          Discussed the creation of a Latinx/a/o faculty and staff group led by Mónica Lee Miranda, Ph.D.

    2. Confirmation

      June 1

        Confirmed organizational name as Alianza Latina Faculty and Staff Association and established mission and vision.

    3. Community Survey

      June 15

        Distributed survey to the USF faculty and staff community via the Administrative Advisory Council. The survey was created by Madeline Colón, Clara Reynardus de Villanueva, and Johanna Heule. Forwarded messages were distributed to amplify the message thereafter. More than 95 survey responses were received in the first week.

    4. Meeting

      June 28

        First meeting with Dr. Elizabeth Hordge-Freeman

    5. SoL Meeting

      July 12

        First meeting with Leonor O’Relly, Chair of the Status of Latinos Presidential Advisory Committee

    6. Presentation

      August 16

        Alianza Latina was invited to present to the Latin Community Advisory Council (LCAC). Mónica Lee Miranda, Ph.D. presented on Alianza Latina and Beatriz Padilla, Ph.D. was also in attendance presenting on ISLAC. 

    7. First General Body Meeting

      October 13

      The first GBM was held virtually and had more than 90 in attendance.

  2. 2022

    1. Collaborative Summit

      June 14

          First Latinx/a/o Collaborative Summit was held virtually bringing together the leadership of multiple entities focused on the Latinx/a/o community and connected to USF, including, but not limited to, the Status of Latinos President Advisory Committee (SOL), Latin Community Advisory Committee (LCAC), the Latino Alumni Society, Salud Latina, among others.

    2. Executive Board Retreat

      June 23

        First Alianza Latina Board Strategic Planning Retreat held in a hybrid format at the St. Petersburg campus and facilitated by Jessica Estevez of Estrategia Group.

    3. Outstanding Staff Team Award

      October 21

      Alianza Latina board at the Outstanding Staff Award ceremony.

        Alianza Latina Faculty & Staff Association is awarded the 2022 USF Outstanding Staff Award-Team.