Chicano Latino Student Affairs Office, The Claremont Colleges

Before we close out the semester, we have a handful of exciting events to in store for you!! The Virgen de Guadalupe service will commence with Aztec dancers and will be followed by a lunch. Our study breaks will offer warm pastries and drinks to keep you going through the final stretch!!! Lastly, Dr. Reyes continues to offer weekly drop in sessions, should you need someone to talk to 💓

Please join us, we always enjoy your company 🙌❤️

Also, a new student organization, Black, Latin American, and Caribbean Community (BLACC 5C) is starting up!!! We’re excited to let our greater campus community know more about this amazing student org: BLACC 5C fosters a sense of community for Afro-Latine and/or Caribbean students at the Claremont Colleges. Please scan the QR code on flyer to learn more about how you can get involved 💗

Today, CLSA invited a group of undergraduate Latinx students to the 2022 California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Studies conference. They met with college recruiters across the nation and attended workshops that will help them with their graduate school plans. We appreciate these dedicated students for taking time to prepare for the next step in their educational journey. Diversifying higher education is what they are doing; we are proud 🙌💗📖📚📈📄🦠🧬🔬🥽💼👨🏽‍🎓👩🏻‍🎓

Culture, heritage, family, faith, and tradition is what Giana Gerardino is all about. We appreciate the love she has for her parents’ home countries (Puerto Rico and the Dominican Republic) and the close ties she keeps to both of them.

Now it’s time to get to know Giana!!!

Full Name: Giana Caridad Gerardino
College: CMC
Major: Media Studies with a sequence in Data Science
Hometown: Brooklyn, NY

My culture and heritage is literally the background and motivation for everything I do in life. I am first generation American, my mom immigrated from Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico when she was 6, and my papi immigrated from Haina, Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic when he was in undergrad. Both of my parents came from low-income communities, and moved to a low-income neighborhood when they came to America.

Growing up, my parents wanted me to spend as much time in both their countries as possible because it was important to them that their home felt like my home, so I used to spend 2 weeks in Puerto Rico and 3 weeks in Dominican Republic from birth until I was about 14 years old. Visiting both countries, my parents always emphasized how grateful I should be for my life in NYC because while I did not have a lot growing up, I had more than most people I knew in PR and DR.

Trips to PR and DR were usually filled with bathing using water from the tanque because I woke up after they turned the water off, “se fue la luz”being yelled 24/7, and giving out clothes to the families in the campo of DR/PR. It was a jarring experience seeing some of my best friends in DR wear clothes I no longer wanted because what I saw as old, they saw as gold, so I have always tried to be appreciative with everything I have in life and give back when I can. I work hard and take any opportunities given to me, not for any materialistic reason, but for more cultural reasons.

Also, I did not have a lot of people who looked like me in film growing up, all I had was Adrienne Bailon, Zoe Saldana, and Rita Moreno; none of those actors are Afro-Latinas proud of their natural hair texture and culture like myself, so I want to be that symbol for kids aspiring to enter the film industry to look to.

Last week, Dean Tony Jimenez attend the 2022 SACNAS conference, along with an amazing group of Latinx students representing the 5Cs. The conference was held in Puerto Rico, so not only did they present their research, but they also found time to enjoy the beautiful island. We greatly appreciate the College’s who supported these students who were in attendance. SACNAS seeks to advance the number of Latinos in STEM, and we are excited to be part of their journey.

Flashback to last Friday’s carne asada. Thank you for taking a break and spending it with your CLSA Familia. 🙌💓🥳🎉💯☺️

We’re excited to share the news that this year’s California Forum for Diversity in Graduate Education Conference will take place in-person, on November 5, 2022, at the Long Beach Convention Center.

There is no charge for students to attend!!!

“The Diversity Forum,” as it is also referred to, is a conference designed to acquaint students from underrepresented backgrounds to graduate programs at the master’s and doctoral level. This conference will include a recruiter fair, which consists of over 150 top ranked institutions across the nation, as well as invaluable workshops that include: “How to Submit a Competitive Statement of Purpose,” “How to Secure Funding for Graduate Studies,” and much more!

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN!!!

Register here: https://calstate.eventsair.com/2022-forum/student-reg
Passcode: diversity2022

I urge you to take advantage of this unique opportunity to explore graduate studies either at the master's or doctoral level.

If you need transportation, please fill this form out (we only have space for 25 students, so don’t wait): https://forms.gle/QCrBqNMUd13ErrNN9

If you have any questions, contact Assistant Dean Xochitl Casillas at [email protected]

Our low rope course had a hearts pumping, but these brave students took a leap of faith and enjoyed every minute of it!!!

Friendships, connections, and lifelong memories are made here.

We are back in Claremont! Thank you to the 100 students who joined us this weekend. Our annual new student retreat was a memorable one 💗🙌💯😊

CLSA’s 2022 New Student Retreat is underway!!!! Thank you for spending your weekend in community ❤️🔥🙌🥳🎉💯💗

We’re excited to share CLSA’s 2022 Fall Events Calendar! We are offering a variety of cultural, , social, wellness, educational, and professional events that will help you succeed at the Claremont Colleges. May you stay in community and rely on your CLSA familia for support. Together we are better.

CLSA’s Fall 2022 Calendar of Events is out!!! Please check your email for registration links and other ongoing programming not mentioned here! We look forward to supporting your cultural, educational, and professional goals.

Happy Wednesday!!! We hope you’re staying hydrated and wearing shades in this sunshine! Speaking of enjoying the sun, we’d like to Spotlight one of our amazing CLSA sponsors from HMC, Yoselin!!! She’s always stepping up and supporting folks across the Claremont Colleges, we appreciate you!

NAME: Yoselin Prado (she/her/ella)
COLLEGE: Harvey Mudd College
ETHNICITY: Mexican
HOMETOWN: Hawthorne, CA
CLASS STANDING: Senior
MAJOR/MINOR: Engineering

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: I enjoy reading Sci-fi, watching rom coms, hiking, playing board games, and baking!!!! If you’re ever interested in eating in the village, please let me know, I love to explore new places!!! Some clubs I enjoy being a part of at Harvey Mudd are: Project Decode (first gen club), SALSA-M (Latinx club at Mudd, formerly known as SPLS), Society of Women Engineers, as well as many food clubs, such as boba, chocolate, wine, and cheese club. A 5C club I like being a part of is Science Bus, which is a club that teaches science to nearby elementary school kids.

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
"We must use our lives to make the world a better place to live, not just to acquire things. That is what we are put on the earth for."-Dolores Huerta

Happy Friday!!! We are excited to spotlight Jesus, returning CLSA sponsor from Pitzer College!!!!

NAME: Jesus Ceja (he/him)
COLLEGE: Pitzer College
ETHNICITY: Mexican
HOMETOWN: Los Angeles, CA
CLASS STANDING: Junior
MAJOR/MINOR: Psychology/Sociology

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: Some of my hobbies include volleyball, painting, reading, listening to music, watching tv shows/ movies, and grabbing food/spending time with friends. I am involved in the Latinx Student Union ( LSU), First Gen Club, and writing tutor for the Weekly Writing Workshop (3W).

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS? Don't let others tell you what you can and can't do, only you know what you're capable of.

We’re starting the month off by featuring Gaby, our incredible CLSA sponsor who is returning to support first year students at Pomona College!!! Let’s get to know her better, and show her some love 💗 💕 ❤️

NAME: Gabriela Jimenez (she/her)
COLLEGE: Pomona College
ETHNICITY: Mexican
HOMETOWN: Van Nuys, CA
CLASS STANDING: Senior
MAJOR/MINOR: English

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: Hi! I’m Gabriela but really go by Gaby! I’m a rising senior at Pomona hoping to work in education in the future. I work at the school’s writing center and really love working with CLSA. I also work with the Draper Center within their PAYS College Advising program to help high schoolers apply to college.

I’ve been using the break to read, and I just finished the first volume of the Heartstopper series, which was very sweet! I like reading when I have the time, so up next is Nine Stories by J.D. Salinger. If you’re looking for a book recommendation, look for Franny and Zooey by Salinger as well.

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
People are here for you, and truly believe in you. We’re excited to meet all of you and support you in any way. Good things are coming!

Let’s give it up to Sarai, a returning CLSA sponsor who leads with her heart!!! 💗

NAME: Sarai Ortega (she/her)
COLLEGE: Claremont McKenna College
ETHNICITY: Mexican & Guatemalan
HOMETOWN: Camarillo, CA
CLASS STANDING: Senior
MAJOR/MINOR: Biology

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: On campus, I am involved with CMC's QuestBridge Scholars Network, Camp Kesem at the Claremont Colleges, 1Gen, and Mi Gente. I am also a Senior Interviewer for the Office of Admissions and a Research Assistant for CENTRO Lab. In my free time, I enjoy crocheting, going to the gym, and getting meals with my friends.

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
Don't be afraid to ask for help! In my experience, everyone at the Claremont Colleges is here to support you in any way they can, and we all want to see you thrive!

Let’s get to know the super CLSA mentor, Kenia, from Pomona College. Let’s show her some love!!!!

Name: Kenia Garcia-Ramos (she/they/ella)
Hometown: Colton, California
College: Pomona College
Ethnicity: Mexican/Chicana
Major/Minor: Chicana/o-Latina/o Studies; Gender and Women’s Studies

Holii ❤️ My name is Kenia and I’m from the Inland Empire in Southern California! On campus I work with res life, am a writing partner, and serve on Pomona’s Latinx Student org. ( .) I’m a QuestBridge Match at Pomona, so I’m also super involved with the FLI student org (first-gen, low-income) (.pomona ) on campus.

I love to sing and dance— anything from Juan Gabriel to Bad Bunny to Ravyn Lenae :)

Always down to talk, help out, or hang out; can’t wait to meet you! 🤗

Inspirational quote for first-year students: “mi corazon, cielito lindo, tesoro mío, mi amor, mi vida, mi alma— how beautiful it is to be loved in Spanish”- Yesika Salgado, Corazon.

This quote is one I love to share because it reminds me of the ways my community has loved me. From family to friends to the CLSA familia, the love that has been poured into me (and will be poured into you!) is unlike any other. Forever grateful for community and I am thrilled for you to join, corazon 💗

Happy first day of classes!!! We want to kickoff the Fall semester featuring Leo, an amazing CLSA sponsor, representing Pomona College!!!

Name: Leo Alaghband (He/him/él)
Ethnicity: Iranian-Chicano
Hometown: Corona Del Mar, CA; Syracuse, NY; Amherst, MA
Class: Junior
Major/Minor: History and (potential) Latin American Studies /Physics

Hola a todes, I’m Leo. I grew up partially in Orange County, CA, Syracuse, NY, and Amherst, MA. I am currently a junior, but I took off a year to be with my family during the pandemic. I’m really into playing and listening to music, everything from Reguetón to Mariachi to Persian music. I also enjoy working out and connecting with people over good food, coffee, or tea! I’m really excited to be a CLSA sponsor and help welcome incoming Latinx students once again!

Fun fact: I play a traditional Iranian fiddle!

Advice for first year Latinx students: Follow your gut! We all know what our own needs are, sometimes we just have to get in touch with our internal knowing. Also get to know your professors and sponsors, Dean Tony and Assistant Dean Xochitl! They will help guide and support you through your first year transition.

Happy weekend CLSA community!!! We’re excited to feature a returning Sponsor from Scripps College!!! Yay!!!

Name: Katerin Quinteros (She/her/Ella)
Ethnicity: Salvadorian
Hometown: Downey, CA
College: Scripps College
Class: Senior
Major/Minor: Human Biology (Cross-Cultural Health and Healing Track)

Hi! I’m Katerin, and I’m a Human Biology Major on the pre-nursing track from Downey, California. I’m involved with Cafe Con Leche, First Generation at Scripps, Claremont Students for Public Health (CSPH) and I’m a Scripps College Academy Scholar. I enjoy watching documentaries, crime shows and studio Ghibli movies. I’ve recently started learning how to roller skate, so I love doing that as well.

Advice for first year Latinx students? “At last, you’ll know with surpassing certainty that only one thing is more frightening than speaking your truth. And that is not speaking it” by Audre Lorde

If anyone wants to connect my Instagram is . Feel free to DM!

Scripps CLSA Sponsor alert!!!! We are fortunate to have Lupe in our community, serving as a peer mentor!!! Let’s get to know her better 🥳🤗🙌

Name: Guadalupe Lopez (She/her)
College: Scripps College
Ethnicity: Mexican
Hometown: Culiacán, Sinaloa
Class: Senior
Majors/Minors: Spanish, Biology

I really enjoy reading and watching movies! I love going on adventures and trying new things! I am party of Refresh Bolivia, the Modern Language Resource Center at Scripps, Scripps College Academy and Cafe Con Leche ( .)

Advice for first year Latinx students: “The future belongs to those who believe in the beauty of their dreams”.

Not everyone may see your path the way you do and that’s okay. As long as you believe in what you want to do and understand that this is your journey, you will not only empower yourself but empower others to follow their dreams and passions.

Check this out and spread the word!!!! All are welcome to join!!! 💃🕺🏽

The 7Cs Latin and Caribbean RythmiX, is a dance club for any member of the 7Cs that want to learn to dance and appreciate the origin and culture of Latin America and the Caribbean. We will be hosting classes at Edmunds Ballroom every Thursday night by instructors as well as other sessions and events that include dances like Bachata, Cumbia, Merengue, Brazilian Funk, Soca and more.

We are building a safe and welcoming environment for anyone who wants to learn and get to know our community while improving their dancing skills.

Happy Friday! We’re over the moon, Jacqui, from Pitzer College will be returning as a “veteran” CLSA Sponsor!!! We are so grateful to have her on our 5C Team!!!! 🤗💗🙌🤗

Name: Jacqui Campos (she/her/hers)
Ethnicity: Mexican
Hometown: Truckee, California
Year: Senior
College: Pitzer
Major: Human Biology

My hobbies include arts/crafts, hiking, camping, road trips, and being with friends and family. On campus I’m a part of Latinx Student Union ( ), First Gen (.pz ), Health Bridges ( )and CLSA! This year I’ll also be a First Gen mentor and an academic guide at Pitzer.

A fun fact about me is this summer I did a study abroad health program in Costa Rica 🇨🇷🩺!!

Inspiring quote: “When the sun rises , it rises for everyone🌞”

Name: Johanna Mandujano
Hometown: Chicano, IL
College: Pitzer College
Ethnicity: Mexican
Major/Minor: Chicanx/Latinx Studies; Gender and Feminist Studies

I love listening to music and am always trying to explore different artists and genres! Some of my favorite artists are Kali Uchis and Omar Apollo. I really enjoy nature, sunsets, and taking walks to destress and clear my mind. On campus, I am part of Pitzer's Latinx Student Union, the First Gen Club, and the Women of Color Collective. I work for Campus Life, and this year I am the Identity Board Chair.

Time goes by extremely fast, and you make so many memories throughout the year! Take time to slow down and reflect at the end of the week or month to make sure you're taking care of your mental health!

Happy Wednesday!!! We are excited to Spotlight Javier, a new CLSA sponsor at CMC!!! Can’t wait for you to meet him!!!

Javier Gonzalez (he/ him)
Ethnicity: Mexican
Hometown: Houston, Texas class: Junior
College: Claremont McKenna Major/Minor: Psychology/Data Science

Hi everyone! I’m super excited to be a CLSA sponsor and meet everyone! My family is from Guadalajara, Jalisco, Mx and I was born and raised in Houston, Texas! On campus I’ve been involved with ¡Mi Gente! and will be serving as the Vice President this year. I’m also a Writing Consultant at CMC’s Writing Center and will be a Success Coach at DOS. During my free time I like to hang out with friends, explore new music, and scroll through Twitter. Feel free to reach out about anything, or come visit me at the Writing Center/ DOS!

It’s easy to get overwhelmed as you’re navigating college. Use all of the resources at your disposal, they’re there to help you! Don’t be afraid to ask for a helping hand. :)

We’re excited to spotlight a new CLSA Sponsor, Paulina, of Pitzer College!!!! Let’s show her our support and love ❤️💗🙌

Name: Paulina Correa (She/hers)
Ethnicity:Mexican
Hometown: Chicago, Illinois Year: Senior
College: Pitzer
Major: PsychologyOrganizational Studies

My hobbies include hiking, swimming and spending time with friends. Some on campus organizations that I am a part of are Latinx Student Union ( ), First Gen club (.pz )and CLSA.

Some leadership roles that I hold within these organizations is being a first gen mentor and third year representative of LSU previous school year. This upcoming school year I will be working as an academic guide and student office assitant for Pitzer as well.

A fun fact about me is that I was a Human Resource intern over the summer for Sherwin-Williams.

Inspiring quote or advice for first years?: “Échale ganas y ponte las pillas!” 🥰🤗💗

CLSA had an amazing time kicking off our training week with this year’s phenomenal 5C Sponsor Team!! (We are missing a handful of mentors, but here are a few who were in attendance during our “impromptu photo shoot.”) Theses are our campus leaders; they will be easing the transition of incoming Latinx students into the Claremont Colleges. We appreciate all of you 🙌💗🤗❤️

Student Spotlight alert!!! 🚨Let’s welcome Elissa, new CLSA sponsor, who will be mentoring first year Latinx students at CMC 🥳🤗❤️

Name: Elissa Yanez (she/her/hers)
Ethnicity: Mexican
Hometown: Encinitas, CA
Class: Sophomore
College: Claremont McKenna
Major: Physics and Data Science

Hey everyone! On campus I'm involved with Science Bus (teaching science lessons to elementary schoolers) as well as Women in Physics and Women in Computer Science at Mudd. Outside of school I like to read, play piano, and dream about the physics homework that I haven't completed.

If you have any questions about the physics major or just want to talk about it, please feel free to reach out!

Advice for first-years: Do what you want to do, not what you feel you should do. It's easy to get caught up in what everyone else is doing but moving at your own pace while doing what you actually want to do makes life and school much easier to navigate.

Did you know that Harvey Mudd College has a mighty team of 4 CLSA Sponsors?!? We are grateful to have Jaime join our team this year, let’s show him some love!!!

NAME: Jaime Pacheco (he/him)
COLLEGE: Harvey Mudd College
ETHNICITY: Venezuelan
HOMETOWN: Weston, Florida
CLASS STANDING: Junior
MAJOR/MINOR: Computer Science/Math joint major

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: Half of my family is from Venezuela, while the other half is from England. However, I was born in Canada, and grew up in Florida. I’ve been lucky enough to travel to some different countries, most recently Spain. Traveling is one of my favorite hobbies, and it’s how I like to spend my free time whenever it’s possible. I really enjoy competition, and in high school I used to compete for my school’s math team. Math is my favorite subject, and I have a lot of fun attempting hard problems and teaching concepts to others. When I’m back home, I love watching soccer with my family, mostly the Premier League and La Liga. Next year I’m going to be serving as the Co-President of SALSA-Mudd, the Latinx club at Harvey Mudd. I’ve been a member for the past year, and it’s given me great memories and helped me meet some awesome people.

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
Don’t give up on your dreams. They might seem out of reach, but if you have the will to keep fighting, nothing can stop you from achieving them.

Happy Friday!!!! We’re ending the week by spotlighting Carlos Santana, of Pomona College!!! We’re fortunate to have him on our CLSA Sponsor Team, let’s express our gratitude by getting to know him🤗💗❤️🙌

NAME: Carlos Nicolas Santana (he/him)
COLLEGE: Pomona College
ETHNICITY: Dominican
HOMETOWN: Miami, Florida
CLASS STANDING: Sophomore
MAJOR/MINOR: Undecided/Pre-med Track/Economics

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: Hailing from South Florida, my comfort place is the beach. I love going on nature hikes and exploring new places. I hope to visit every continent soon. I am also on the Ski Club’s executive board so reach out to me if you want to learn how to get involved in winter sports!

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
Discipline Over Motivation

Dear Community, we are excited to spotlight Justin, a new CLSA sponsor at Pomona College! Let’s show them some love ❤️

NAME: Justin Villasenor (he/him/his)
COLLEGE: Pomona College
ETHNICITY: Mexican
HOMETOWN: Chicago, Illinois
CLASS STANDING: Junior
MAJOR/MINOR: Molecular Biology/Science, Technology, and Society

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: Hey there, I am Justin Villasenor. I am a Pomona Science Scholar, a molecular biology major, and part of the class of 2024. I love board games, reading, running recreationally, and exploring expressions of art such as through museums and music. My favorite hobby is discovering new food places, followed by taking full advantage of the resources that Pomona provides for us. That's why I joined Pomona's Events Committee, so that way I can have the inside scoop on the events that Pomona hosts so that I may take full advantage of the plentiful resources Pomona invests into student events. I also was a Bio40 & Cell 41C lab TA last year, and this coming fall semester I will be a genetics mentor. Fun fact, I should be dead. They read me my last rites when I was only 9 months old because I had a horrible case of appendicitis. Thus, I treat everyday as if it is my last, taking it day by day and enjoying every minute of it. Good luck!!

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
First, nothing that is of worth in this life will come easy, so be ready to invest the time and energy that's required for the good things in life. Furthermore, the only constant in life is change. All you can do is enjoy your time here at Pomona while you have it. Live your life to its fullest at Claremont and watch it become unrecognizable in 30 years. Good luck!

Let’s show some love to our new CLSA Sponsor, Karina Lipe, of Scripps College!!!!

NAME: Karina Lipe (she/her)
COLLEGE: Scripps College
ETHNICITY: Guatemalan
HOMETOWN: Mountain View, California
CLASS STANDING: Sophomore
MAJOR/MINOR: Theater/Psychology

TELL US MORE ABOUT YOURSELF: I am very passionate about acting, writing, and storytelling. I am currently working on a YouTube Channel, and writing a story alongside other screenplays. I also am a Scripps Theatre Liaison, and this summer, I am a camp counselor at a theater summer camp (Young Actors' Theatre Camp), and an adoption education camp (PACT Adopt).

WORDS OF WISDOM, ADVICE FOR FIRST YEAR STUDENTS?
"Every moment is an organizing opportunity, every person a potential activist, every minute a chance to change the world." - Dolores Huerta