Latinx/a/o

The LKC works in collaboration with other higher education and national partners to advance and support increased understanding of Latinx/a/o issues and experiences, as well as the development and advancement of policies and action related to Latinx/a/o national issues.  Recent partners include the National Association of Student Personnel Administrators (NASPA) Community College Division Latino Task Force, Gender and Sexuality Knowledge Community, Civic Learning and Democratic Engagement Knowledge Community, Eastern Connecticut University, Florida Atlantic University, Latinos in Higher Ed, Rutgers University, San Diego State University, University of New Mexico, Voto Latino, and Whittier College.

The Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community (KC) is one of four ethnic-based knowledge communities within NASPA. As a knowledge community, the Latinx/a/o KC actively promotes the empowerment of NASPA members through education, research, shared knowledge, mentoring initiatives, and the use of online forums to disseminate information and facilitate discourse. We will actively develop and encourage cross-cultural communication, collaboration, and awareness while celebrating the unique differences inherent in our community thus, enriching our NASPA experience and enhancing our understanding of student learning and development. As student affairs professionals we will challenge and engage our community to advance Latinx/as/os in NASPA as well as in our colleges and universities throughout the country.

If you would like to receive emails and the LKC e-newsletter, please make sure you select the LKC under the NASPA engagement details section in your NASPA profile once you log in OR scroll up and click on the green "join community" button right above the heading "message from co-chairs." We are unable to add the LKC to your profile. 

We are currently accepting contributions of the following types/topics:

• This I Believe

  This began as a feature in NPR in the 1950s. In every LKC newsletter, colegas will have the opportunity to write about what they believe--their core values that guide their work and lives.

• Transitions

  In this issue of the LKC newsletter, we will be focusing on transitional issues of Latinx/a/os in student affairs. This is an opportunity for colegas to reflect and talk about their experiences if they are starting their first position, pursuing their Master’s/Doctorate Degrees, or even a new position.

• Professional Development

  Share with us some of the things that you have learned on the job/internship, at a conference, or about research that you conducting.

• Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Heritage Month Events

  This is an opportunity for colegas to share what their campuses are doing for Hispanic/Latinx/a/o Heritage Month. This could be in the form of a flyer or pictures. Please include a description of the event.

• News/Announcements

  Share good news with the LKC community at large. Tell us about awards and recognition you have earned, as well as any announcements.

• Why I

  Tell us about why you joined the field of student affairs/higher education. 

Mena Valdez Awards

 Each year we honor LKC members through the Mena Valdez Awards. The awards were named after our inagural LKC Co-Chairs, Laura Valdez and Dr. Salvador Mena. Let's uplift folks and their work! We know folks are doing great work on our campuses and we need to acknowledge them via the LKC.

On behalf of the Latinx/a/o Knowledge Community, we are excited to announce that we are seeking nominations for the 2025 Annual Mena-Valdez Awards. We look forward to getting together at the NASPA Annual Conference in New Orleans, LA in March 2025 to recognize the amazing contributions of Latinx/a/o professionals in Higher Education.

• Amigx/a/o Award
• Latinx Inclusion Award
• Outstanding New Program Award
• Outstanding Master's Student Award
• Outstanding Doctoral Student Award
• Outstanding New Professional Award
• Outstanding Mid-Level Professional Award
• Outstanding Senior Student Affairs Officer Award
• Outstanding Undergraduate Award
• Outstanding Service Award
• Community College Award
• Outstanding Faculty Award
• Alex Gonzalez Scholarship Award

Nominations are due Friday, October 9, 2024!

If you have any questions about our awards process, please email the LKC Awards Chair, Alex Cabal at [email protected].

Latinx/a/o Community 

June of 2016, the Latinx/a/o KC began a process to solicit thoughts , feelings, and experiences related to gender identity and expression inclusion within our KC. A survey was administered to the LKC, the Gender & Sexuality KC, and the Multiracial KC. Three themes (1. Name Change, 2. Practices, and 3. Education ) emerged from the survey and subgroup were created to explore themes. Subgroups reviewed the data, identified presenting problems, implications, and suggestion for future research and practice.

The Education Subgroup sought to create and engage in more education on gender identity and expression and the intersection with culture, race, and ethnicity- particularly within the Latinx community. Step one includes creating a list of resources for our membership to access. Below you will find this list.

Resources

• Orlando United
• Latina/o/x - Inside Higher Ed
• What does Latinx Mean?
• The Case for Latinx
• Gender Identity/Expression Resource
• Gendered Language
• Gender Revolution Guide
• Latinx Guide
• Self-Compassion Tips for QTLatinx
  

 Research 

• Aja, A.A. (2016). "They would have tossed him back into the sea," blaseros, elian, and race matters in the miami latinx millennium (1990-present). In Miami's forgotten cubans: Race, racilization, and the miami afro-cuban experience (afro-latin@disoras) (pp.143-173). New York, New York: Palgrave Macmillian.
• Cisneros, J.D. (2016). Marco rubio's prospective presidentiality: Latinx polictics, race, ethnicity, and the presidency. Quarterly Journal of Speech, 103(1-2), pp. 90-116. doi: 10.1080/00335630.2016.1234063
• Mejia, C.E. (2015). Mixed-status latinx families: Love and chosen family as a means of resistance to the american dream. Tapestries: Interwoven Voices of Local and Global Identities, 4(1). Retrieved from http://digitalcommons.macalester.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1097&context=tapestries
• Monxo, L.D. (2016). "They don't know anything!": Latinx immigrant students approriating the opressor's voice. Anthropology & Education Quarterly, 47(2), pp. 148-166. doi: 10.1111/aeq.12146
• Reyes, V. (2015). More than just an image: Pop culture representations of latinx and the immigration debate. Augustana Digital Commons. Retrieved from  http://digitalcommons.augustana.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1000&context=mabryaward
  

Supporting Our Community

On June 19, 2020 the NASPA LKC and the ACPA LN held a community conversation titled Anti-Blackness Latinx/a/o Community. A recording of the presentation is available below.