Students established Lipscomb's first ALPFA chapter
Local business leaders inspire students through professional organization.
Janel Shoun-Smith | 615.966.7078 |
In fall 2020, the College of Business launched its first chapter of the student-led Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA).
ALPFA is the largest provider of professional resources for Latinos in the United States, and is sponsored by corporations and firms of the same renown. ALPFA is open to all students, no matter their ethnicity, major, or classification. Its is mission to empower Latino men and women as leaders of character in the nation and in the global economy.
Eight undergraduate and graduate business students—Sebastian Salazar, Bianka Gavidia, Zuriel Godinez, Chelsea Millon, Daniel Kotula, Citlali Lopez, Freddy Foster and Esteban Gonzalez—met virtually throughout the summer to establish the organization and plan guest speakers, resume workshops and networking opportunities intended to promote professionalism for the 2020-21 school year.
Throughout this past year, the group has hosted events allowing professionals from AllianceBernstein and Deloitte as well as COB Executive-in-Residence Ernesto Silva, retired CEO of Coca-Cola FEMSA in Mexico, to speak with students in-person or virtually, said Julio Rivas, associate professor and faculty advisor for the chapter. Guests spoke on everything from their personal life testimony to field-specific career opportunities and diversity issues in the workplace, Rivas said.
“ALPFA is a great organization and our Lipscomb chapter worked very hard throughout the year to give students an opportunity to be involved with the Latin community, especially opportunities that can lead to future options of involvement and growth,” said Rivas, who brings a familiarity with Middle Tennessee’s Hispanic organizations to the group.
NOTE: Lipscomb University underscores that membership or participation in Association of Latino Professionals For America is not limited by race or ethnicity and is open to all students regardless of race or ethnicity despite its name.