Tuesday, August 24, 2010
A Latino welcome
From left: Andres Ayesta Herrera, Claudia Pena, and Cindy Alfaro
In her work with students at EDUCA, Claudia met parents who expressed to her a need to communicate clearly with personnel in the schools where their children attend. The parents want to learn the language so they can understand and talk to teachers and counselors who are involved in their children's lives. Pena saw a need at USI for bilingual ambassadors to serve in the Office of Admission. Student ambassadors talk with prospective students and parents, give tours of the University, and are available to answer questions about life at USI. Pena met Raul Ramirez '10, the then-president of the ambassadors, and together they arranged for other Latino students to become student ambassadors and help Latino families learn about USI. "Latinos want to be able to approach someone that speaks their own language and ask questions," she said. "They want to know they can call a person to resolve concerns or misunderstandings." Typically student ambassadors are student leaders who are involved in student organizations and take their academic work seriously. They are selected for their ability to communicate well, their enthusiasm for USI, and a willingness to help students and families who are considering USI for a college education. Pena is active in multiple clubs at USI and serves as vice president of Latinos Unidos and secretary of the Spanish Club. She is a member of the Sociology, Anthropology, and Criminal Justice Club, a mentoring club, and the Honors Program. Her career plans include working for the Federal Bureau of Investigation. Andres Ayesta Herrera is another bilingual ambassador. He tells Latinos, Americans, and all students that USI is known by its diversity, and he encourages students to come to USI. Herrera came to America as an exchange student in 2007, and he lived in Portland, Indiana, and attended Jay County High School his senior year. He went back to Venezuela and started college but transferred to USI last fall. A member of the Honors Program, he is a food and nutrition major with a specialty in dietetics and an intramural coordinator for the International Club. He is also a member of the Food and Nutrition student organization. Other bilingual ambassadors are Cindy Alfaro, a biology major from El Salvador, and Cesar Berrios from Nicaragua who is studying psychology. The Admission staff welcomes the bilingual service the students provide. Elyse Rench, admission counselor, said, "As the diversity on our campus continues to grow, our bilingual student ambassadors play a vital role in the success of the University. They offer comfort and guidance to Hispanic and Latino families who visit USI, while providing insight into the college experience. As with all our ambassadors, we are fortunate to have such accomplished individuals as part of our Admission staff." |
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