Voto Latinx: Our Voices in the 2020 Election
Posted on: Nov 08th, 2020This year’s election is like no other and the Latinx community is set to become the largest racial and ethnic minority in the electorate. Listen to members of the Brown University Latino Alumni Council discuss how Latinx voices are shaping the 2020 election, the issues most important to the Latinx community, and how we can continue that momentum post-election. Our panelists include:
- Jonathon Acosta ’11, AM ’16, AM ’16, PhD ’23 – Candidate for RI State Senate
- Dr. Tony Affigne ’76, AM ’91, PhD ’92 – Professor of Political Science, Black Studies, and Latinx Studies at Providence College
- Dr. Angela X. Ocampo ’10 – Assistant Professor of Political Science and Faculty Associate in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan
This event was held virtually on October 29, 2020.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this forum are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the network or institution.
Jonathon Acosta
Jonathon Acosta is a father, educator, Eagle Scout, youth wrestling coach, and doctoral student in Sociology at Brown University. He was a middle school math teacher in Miami-Dade County and Central Falls before becoming a school administrator. During this time, he earned an MA in Urban Education Policy at Brown and implemented a district-wide teacher evaluation program in cultural competence. Jonathon is a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board and a City Councilman representing Ward 1 in Central Falls, where he has been a strong voice for responsible green city planning, transparency in governance, and affordable housing. His academic work is in political sociology, social stratification, segregation, race, class, and ethnicity. Mr. Acosta is currently a candidate for District 16 of the Rhode Island State Senate.
Dr. Tony Affigne
Prof. Tony Affigne teaches in Providence College’s political science, Black studies, and Latin American and Latina/o studies programs, and from 2007-2013 was visiting professor of ethnic studies at Brown. Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Affigne was principal founder of the political science subfield on Race, Ethnicity, and Politics, and more recently was lead editor for Latino Politics en Ciencia Política: The Search for Latino Identity and Racial Consciousness, published in 2014 by NYU Press. Affigne is a frequent guest and election night commentator, analyzing state and national politics for southern New England’s NBC, ABC, and PBS television news and public radio. In Rhode Island politics Dr. Affigne is also something of a historic figure: His 1982 independent campaign for Providence City Council, and 1986 campaign for governor, made him the state’s first-ever Latino candidate for elective office.
Dr. Angela X. Ocampo
Angela X. Ocampo is Assistant Professor of Political Science and Faculty Associate in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is originally from Bogotá, Colombia and was raised in White Plains, NY.
Dr. Ocampo specializes in American politics with a focus on race, ethnicity and politics. Her current book project examines the notion of perceived belonging to U.S. society and its influence on political interest and political engagement among Latinos. Dr. Ocampo’s research agenda examines the political incorporation of racial, ethnic and religious minorities both as every-day participants and as political elites within American institutions. Specifically, she investigates the factors that mobilize Latinos and other minorities to engage politically at different levels. Her research also explores how political parties and institutional forces shape the path of minorities into elected office.
Her research has been supported by the University of California Institute for Mexico and the U.S. (UC MEXUS), the Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, UCLA’s Political Psychology Fellowship, APSA’s Fund for Latino Scholarship and APSA’s Warren E. Miller Fund in Electoral Politics. Dr. Ocampo’s research has been published in Political Research Quarterly, Social Science Research, Politics, Groups and Identities and Latino Studies.
Upcoming Event – Voto Latinx: Our Voices in the 2020 Election
Posted on: Oct 23rd, 2020
This year’s election is like no other and the Latinx community is set to become the largest racial and ethnic minority in the electorate. Join members of the Brown University Latino Alumni Council to discuss how Latinx voices are shaping the 2020 election, the issues most important to the Latinx community, and how we can continue that momentum post-election. Our panelists include:
- Jonathon Acosta ’11, AM ’16, AM ’16, PhD ’23 – Candidate for RI State Senate
- Dr. Tony Affigne ’76, AM ’91, PhD ’92 – Professor of Political Science, Black Studies, and Latinx Studies at Providence College
- Michelle D. Hernandez ’15 – Field Representative and Caseworker for U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio Cortez
- Dr. Angela X. Ocampo ’10 – Assistant Professor of Political Science and Faculty Associate in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan
This event will be held virtually and information on how to access the panel discussion will be shared the day of with registrants.
Register for the event here.
Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in this forum are those of the speakers and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of the network or institution.
Jonathon Acosta
Jonathon Acosta is a father, educator, Eagle Scout, youth wrestling coach, and doctoral student in Sociology at Brown University. He was a middle school math teacher in Miami-Dade County and Central Falls before becoming a school administrator. During this time, he earned an MA in Urban Education Policy at Brown and implemented a district-wide teacher evaluation program in cultural competence. Jonathon is a member of the Juvenile Hearing Board and a City Councilman representing Ward 1 in Central Falls, where he has been a strong voice for responsible green city planning, transparency in governance, and affordable housing. His academic work is in political sociology, social stratification, segregation, race, class, and ethnicity. Mr. Acosta is currently a candidate for District 16 of the Rhode Island State Senate.
Dr. Tony Affigne
Prof. Tony Affigne teaches in Providence College’s political science, Black studies, and Latin American and Latina/o studies programs, and from 2007-2013 was visiting professor of ethnic studies at Brown. Twenty-five years ago, Dr. Affigne was principal founder of the political science subfield on Race, Ethnicity, and Politics, and more recently was lead editor for Latino Politics en Ciencia Política: The Search for Latino Identity and Racial Consciousness, published in 2014 by NYU Press. Affigne is a frequent guest and election night commentator, analyzing state and national politics for southern New England’s NBC, ABC, and PBS television news and public radio. In Rhode Island politics Dr. Affigne is also something of a historic figure: His 1982 independent campaign for Providence City Council, and 1986 campaign for governor, made him the state’s first-ever Latino candidate for elective office.
Michelle Hernandez
Michelle works for Congressmember Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, serving her home congressional district as a community liaison and constituent advocate. She was first introduced to the world of politics in 2013 when she interned for New York Senator Charles E Schumer through a program with the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute. Since then she has spent most of her professional life in and around government, including interning for the National Science Foundation and working for a government-relations firm called theGROUP.
Dr. Angela X. Ocampo
Angela X. Ocampo is Assistant Professor of Political Science and Faculty Associate in the Center for Political Studies at the University of Michigan. She received her Ph.D. in Political Science from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). She is originally from Bogotá, Colombia and was raised in White Plains, NY.
Dr. Ocampo specializes in American politics with a focus on race, ethnicity and politics. Her current book project examines the notion of perceived belonging to U.S. society and its influence on political interest and political engagement among Latinos. Dr. Ocampo’s research agenda examines the political incorporation of racial, ethnic and religious minorities both as every-day participants and as political elites within American institutions. Specifically, she investigates the factors that mobilize Latinos and other minorities to engage politically at different levels. Her research also explores how political parties and institutional forces shape the path of minorities into elected office.
Her research has been supported by the University of California Institute for Mexico and the U.S. (UC MEXUS), the Ford Foundation Dissertation Fellowship, UCLA’s Political Psychology Fellowship, APSA’s Fund for Latino Scholarship and APSA’s Warren E. Miller Fund in Electoral Politics. Dr. Ocampo’s research has been published in Political Research Quarterly, Social Science Research, Politics, Groups and Identities and Latino Studies.
A Year In Review
Posted on: Oct 03rd, 2021
We want to thank our generous BULAC familia for helping us host a very virtual year of programming. Over 80 alumni volunteered their time and talents to our community in 2020-21. Here is a small snapshot of the BULAC programming made possible due to your support:
- Ten events including two events welcoming the Class of 2021, two prospective student events, one panel, one fireside chat, and four social events
- Alumni helped contact 321 admitted students from the Class of 2025 as part of our Matriculation Campaign
- Over 300 alumni joined us to celebrate the retirement of Mercedes Domenech.
Thank you for continuing to give back to the Brown University Latino Alumni Community!
2020-21 Archive
Thank You To Our Volunteers
Thank you to all the alumni who contributed their time and talents.
Agueda Hernandez ‘92 MD’96
Alexalee Gonzalez ’23
Alexandra Ocampo ‘06
Alfie Zarate ’05
Alfredo Freyre ’93
Andrea Giese ’99
Andrea Martinez ’14
Ashley Leiva ’20
Aurea Hernandez – Webster ’88
Besenia Rodriguez ‘00
Bianca Camacho ’16
Carlos Lejnieks ‘00
Carmen Rodriguez ’83
César Garcia Hernandez ’02
Christian Martell ’10
Christina Tapia ’99
Cristina McQuistion ’86
Cynthia Saenz ’93
Dania Matos ‘03
Daniela Serna ’15
David Gutierrez ’19
Dr. Angela X. Ocampo ’10
Dr. Tony Affigne ’76, AM ’91, PhD ’92
Edith Moreno ’07
Gabi Gonzalez ’20, MD ’25, MPH ’25
Gabriel Reyes ’18
Gabriela Raffucci ’11
Geno Rodriguez ’00
Giovanna Cavallo ’94
Guillermo de los Santos EMBA ‘20
Ivon Rodriguez ’00, EMBA ’16
Jennifer Welch ’92
Jerry Maldonado ’96
Jimmy Richmond ’22
Joanne Sharma ’03
Joe Rosales ’14
Jonathon Acosta ’11, AM ’16, AM ’16, PhD ’23
Jordi Torres ’10
Jose Estabil ‘84 ScM ‘88
Juan Nunez-Martinez ’03
Juanita Ortiz ’95
Julia Sepulveda Avalos ’20
Julieta Cardenas ’14
Keben Perez ’15
Kim Davila ’20
Laura Muñoz ’20
Leora Johnson ’01
Leticia Flores DeWilde ’94
Louis Trujillo ’09
Lourdes Blanco ’91
Luis Campillo ’04
Manuel Avalos ’19, MPA ’20
Manuel Contreras ’16
Marco Martinez ’08
Maria Gomez ’18, MAT ’19
Maria Paredes ’17
Mariachi de Brown
Marianna McMurdock ’19
Marlin Gutierrez ’19
Mezcla
Mia Hegazy ’11
Michael Hoffman ’15
Miguel Alecio ’13
Miguel Palomares ’08
Mimi Velazquez ’06
Miriam Gonzales ’87
Moisés Zamora ’00
Nicole Tully ’97
Nina Cruz ’08
Omar Perez ’05
Rachaell Diaz ’19
Robert Arellano ’91 AB, ’94 MFA
Rosario Castruita ’94
Samuel Torres ’15
Silvina Hernandez ’17
Sophia Hernandez ’20
Suzanne Rivera ’91 P’22
Vicky Rivera ’93
Vivian Garcia ’10
William Acevedo ‘88
William Rivera ’91
Newsletter: Meet our COOL new BULAC board and learn about upcoming events …
Posted on: Oct 23rd, 2020¡Hola BULAC familia! Greetings fellow LatinX peers and alumni. 2020 has been a long year… almost seems like a decade… but we have great news and upcoming programs to share with you. First, we wanted to introduce our new BULAC board below. Please feel free to reach out to them and say hi! After you learn more about them, make sure to continue reading to learn more about upcoming opportunities for connection.
PRESIDENT – ARACELI MENDEZ HINTERMEISTER,
president@bulac.org
Araceli is a librarian and information professional. She currently serves as a Knowledge Manager for Uplift Education, a public charter school district in the Dallas-Fort Worth area. She’s worked in a variety of public, academic, and corporate libraries where her work always revolves around helping others connect with literary and informational resources.
Araceli grew up in the U.S. Mexican border town of Laredo, Texas in a family of paleteros. Her family’s paleteria celebrated its 65th anniversary in Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas this year. While she’s not in the business of making ice cream, she does love to eat it and her favorite flavor is elote.
VP CAMPUS PROGRAMS – SILVINA HERNANDEZ,
programs@bulac.org
Silvina is a Brown University alumna class of 2017. She identifies as a migrant, community advocate, first-generation college student, with a long-standing passion for racial justice, immigrant rights, women’s rights, and economic justice. Silvina is currently working on development and fundraising for a nonprofit in California. Silvina’s favorite de-stressor is to sing a passionate mariachi song; as a student at Brown, she was a proud member of Mariachi de Brown all four years!
VP COMMUNICATIONS – IVON RODRIGUEZ,
communications@bulac.org
With experience in business development, general management, and marketing, Ivon’s diverse background stems from her love of entrepreneurship, business innovation, and concept creation. Ivon is a first-generation college student and graduated from Brown University in 2000 with a double major in International Relations and Hispanic Studies. She holds a joint Executive Masters in Business Administration from Brown University and IE Business School (2016) and is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Business at Virginia Tech. Ivon is the Chief Marketing Officer at The 360 Group. A Miami native, when Ivon is not working, volunteering, or conducting research for her Ph.D., you can find her hiking remote Florida trails, occasionally running into alligators and black bears.
VP FINANCE & DEVELOPMENT – GUILLERMO DE LOS SANTOS,
finance@bulac.org
As a Global Individual Giving Advisor, Guillermo is responsible for the development and implementation of global private fundraising strategies to maximize income through investment in high potential and priority/strategic markets. Guillermo has been marketing and fundraising nationally and internationally for more than 20 years. He has experience in delivering income expansion and mass customer/donor engagement for organizations such as Doctors Without Borders, UNICEF, Save the Children, Amnesty International, and others. Fundraising is Guillermo’s passion. He is a 2020 IE-BROWN MBA graduate. He recently completed his MSc in Major Programme Management (MMPM) from Oxford University and has a BA in International Relations from the Universidad del Salvador. If you ever spot Guillermo having difficulty walking it is probably due to his extreme love for certain sneaker models. Even though he wears a size 9.5, he will go as far as purchasing a size 11 if that is the only available pair.
VP REGIONAL ENGAGEMENT – RACHAELL DIAZ,
programs@bulac.org
Rachaell ’19 is a recent graduate who was abroad in Mexico as a Fulbright ETA before the pandemic. She is originally from Santa Barbara, California, and identifies as a first-generation, low-income Latina. As a student, she was involved in various groups on campus, such as Latinas@Brown and the Salsa Club! A fun fact about Rachaell is that her family currently owns an Asian market. Although she does not identify as Asian, she has learned a great deal about Asian culture by helping her parents run their store.
Aren’t they cool?!? We thought so, too!!! They have so many ideas we are sure you’ll love! ️
This year’s election is like no other and the Latinx community is set to become the largest racial and ethnic minority in the electorate. Join members of the Brown University Latino Alumni Council to discuss how Latinx voices are shaping the 2020 election, the issues most important to the Latinx community, and how we can continue that momentum post-election.
Event details and registration can be found here.
_Historically Underrepresented Groups Alumni Engagement Survey
A few days ago the Brown Alumni Association sent out a survey with the goal to understand the perspectives and lived experiences of alumni from Brown’s historically underrepresented groups. We would like to encourage those who haven’t filled out the survey to take a few minutes to complete it. This survey will help the Brown Alumni Association, the Office of Alumni Relations, and BULAC have a better understanding of the needs of alumni in historically underrepresented groups and will help shape the future of alumni engagement at Brown. Each alum received a unique link so please be sure to check your inbox for the original communication. Your thoughts and experiences are greatly important to us, and we appreciate you taking the time to share them.
Please follow us on Facebook via our new group page. “New page?!?”, you ask… yes… we know… you may follow one of our existing regional BULAC pages… but this a FB group and will allow YOU to post your news and connect instantaneously. How excited are you that you will be able to continue to grow your BULAC familia for years to come? We look forward to future engagement with “all y’all”! (using a bit of TX lingo to especially salute our new Prez, Araceli, and her home state!)
