University of Illinois Latina/Latino Alumni Association

09/14/2026

What an honor to join the 87th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade in South Chicago with Grand Marshal Andrea Medina, LLAA Board Member! 🇲🇽 Thank you to the Mexican Patriotic Club of Chicago for bringing our community together for this wonderful celebration. ¡Viva México! 🎊🎉 💙🧡

09/12/2026

See you tomorrow! 🇲🇽 🎉

MEET THE GRAND MARSHAL

Andrea Medina is a Mexican-American reporter for WGN-TV News, covering both the moments that make national headlines and the everyday stories unfolding across neighborhoods in Chicagoland. For more than a decade, she’s worked in newsrooms across Champaign, Rock Island, Cincinnati and Chicago. Each stop shaping not just how she reports, but how she listens, sees people and carries their stories forward.

A Chicago native from the Southwest Side, Andrea is a graduate of Curie High School and the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, where she earned dual degrees in Political Science and Broadcast Journalism. She is a proud Latina journalist who carries her heritage into every story she tells, deeply committed to making sure the communities she comes from are not only seen and heard, but truly understood.

09/09/2026

09/04/2026

Good news! The LLAA Awards nomination deadline has been extended!

If you haven’t submitted a nomination yet, now’s your chance! Nominate an outstanding alum who deserves to be recognized for their leadership, achievements, and contributions.

Don’t miss the opportunity to celebrate someone making a difference! 🏆

Submit your nominations by Friday, September 11th!

09/03/2026

Congratulations to Professor Mirelsie Velázquez, three time degree recipient of the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, who has been selected for the 2026-2027 OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship!

The fellowship is a year-long program led by the OpEd Project that helps faculty amplify their expertise in ways that contribute to public conversations about pressing issues.

Professor Mirelsie Velázquez has been selected for the 2026-2027 OpEd Project Public Voices Fellowship!

The fellowship is a year-long program led by the OpEd Project that helps faculty amplify their expertise in ways that contribute to public conversations about pressing issues.

Learn more about the fellowship at the link in the comments.

08/28/2026

🇲🇽🧡💙 ¡Camina con nosotros!

Join LLAA as we proudly walk in the 87th Annual Mexican Independence Day Parade in South Chicago! Alumni, students, familias, friends, and little ones are all welcome. 🎉

✨ 87 years of tradition, orgullo, and comunidad! This parade carries forward a legacy built by the Southeast Side’s early Mexican immigrant families and a community with deep roots around Our Lady of Guadalupe Church, founded in 1923 as Chicago’s oldest Mexican parish. Generations later, we’re still showing up, celebrating, and carrying that pride down Commercial Avenue. 🇲🇽❤️

📅 Sunday, September 13
📍 87th & Commercial Ave.
⏰ Meet at 12 PM | Parade at 1 PM
🌟 Grand Marshal Andrea Medina of WGN-TV, LLAA Board Member

Bring your familia, wear your Mexican or Illini gear, and walk with us! 🇲🇽 × 🧡💙

RSVP: tinyurl.com/LLAAMexParade2026

08/25/2026

Learn more about this year’s award categories to celebrate individuals making an impact through leadership, service, and community.

👉 Swipe through the post for our award descriptions, or visit illinoisllaa.org to view all categories and details. Stay tuned for more award details and updates!

Nominate a fellow Illini who deserves to be recognized! 🧡💙

Submit your nomination by September 4th.

08/23/2026

Learn more about this year’s award categories to celebrate individuals making an impact through leadership, service, and community.

👉 Swipe through the post for additional award descriptions, or visit illinoisllaa.org to view all categories and details. Stay tuned for more award details and updates!

Nominate a fellow Illini who deserves to be recognized! 🧡💙

Submit your nomination by September 4th.

08/22/2026

🏆 LLAA Awards are here!

Learn more about this year’s award categories to celebrate individuals making an impact through leadership, service, and community.

👉 Swipe through the post for additional award descriptions, or visit illinoisllaa.org to view all categories and details. Stay tuned for more award details and updates!

Nominate a fellow Illini who deserves to be recognized! 🧡💙

08/20/2026

🏆 Announcing our 2026 LLAA Awards Categories

Nominate an outstanding Illini making an impact through:

-Leadership & Service
-Community & Allyship
-Student Success & Access
-Professional Excellence
-University of Illinois Engagement
+More!

Nominations close September 4 at 11:59 p.m. CT!

Submit your nominations today — link in bio!