The WAA: Latinx Affinity Group strives to be an advocate for the Latinx alumni community and activate spaces for us to be together. We stand by the Wisconsin Idea: what we do here at the university should enhance the lives of every person in the state of Wisconsin, as well as around the nation and world. We are thrilled to welcome you to our group! Bienvenidxs!
Meet the Board
President, Marianna Rivera '15
- Double major in Communication Sciences & Disorders and Italian with a certificate Chicanx/e & Latinx/e Studies 🗣️
- Mexican-American 🇲🇽
- Scorpio sun, scorpio moon, and scorpio rising 🦂
- She has a goal of publishing a children’s book 📖
- Hot take: Men should not be allowed to listen to Clairo 🎤It's not for you ❕
Why I’m in LAG: “We have such a diverse group of Latinx alumni who, I feel, want to remain connected to the UW and to each other in their professional endeavors so I wanted to help facilitate that.”
Vice president, Ibrahim Baalbaki
- C/o 2020 Master’s in Educational Leadership Policy Analysis
- Mexican and Lebanese
- Scorpio
- He would love to create his own perfume. I’d love to test different notes, combinations, and come up with my own fragrance.
- Hot take: Grass and lawn care is a scam, we need more trees and flowers.
Treasurer, Andrea Zorbas '04
- Double major in Journalism & Mass Communications and Political Science 🗣️
- Tejana 🤠
- Libra ⚖️
- She has a goal visiting all the US states and territories ☑️
- Hot take: Chocolate is gross 🤮
Why I’m in LAG: “I wanted to join LAG to connect with other like- minded Latinx alumni, to network, and to have social opportunities in this crazy pandemic."
VP of Communications, Rachelle Eilers '09 MS '11
- Political Science c/o 2009 with certificates in African and Chicane & Latine Studies, MS in 2011 Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis
- Afro-Mexicana 🇲🇽
- Sagittarius ♐️
- Has goal of visiting all 50 states before kids are 18
- Hot take: Demin on denim is so cringe 😬
Why I’m in LAG: “We have so many great Latinx alumni that graduate from the CLS program. I was hoping to use LAG as a way to connect with them. I hope to enhance the alumni experience for others.”
Regional Director, SantaLucia Hernandez '13
- International Studies Major with certificate in Chicane & Latine Studies
- Latina
- Aries
- Has goal of traveling to a country in Africa
- Hot take: summer is the BEST season!
Why I’m in LAG: “I wanted to meet with other alumni and build a space to make us proud to be Badgers and continue to help current students!”
Secretary, Robin Jimenez '14, MS '17
- B.S. Materials Science and Engineering 2014, M.S. Mechanical Engineering 2017
- Mexican American and Ukrainian American
- Leo and Cancer (She is on the cusp)
- Has goal of seeing Machu Picchu
- Hot take: Cholula Chili Garlic hot sauce is better than the original!
Why I'm in LAG: "I want to meet and support other Latinx alumni who are improving their communities across the nation."
Our History
In 1991, the President of the Wisconsin Alumni Association, Paula Bonner, approached Andrea ‘Tess’ Arenas and Yolanda Garza to establish the Hispanic Latino Alumni Association (HLAA). During that time, many of the other ethnic affinity groups were also forming. Arenas and Garza recruited Ana Aquino-Perez to help them with building the infrastructure to move the group forward.
These three trailblazing UW Latina alumna, made it their charge through the affinity group to enhance Hispanic/Latino alumnus’ impressions of UW. While they didn’t necessarily have the best experience at UW, they made it their mission to change that for future Hispanic/Latino students at UW. The women used this charge to guide the group during their formative first few years. They supported this goal by serving as role models to Latino UW students and fundraising to provide scholarships for Latino students while creating a welcoming and social space for alumni to get together. The group had information tables at events across Milwaukee and notably at the Mexican Fiesta in Milwaukee. They were available at UW Homecoming games to connect and network while facilitating initiatives for fundraising purposes. HLAA was able to raise scholarship funds for six awards for Latino UW students.
The re-named Latinx Affinity Group (LAG), was reestablished in spring 2020. Our goal is very similar to the HLAA's goal: to create an inclusive environment for Latinx UW Alumni.