When Bianca Esparza first stepped on the Roosevelt campus, the Psychology student and third-generation Latina was initially unsure of how to define herself in a new school. But since becoming involved with ALAS (Association of Latin American Students), Esparza has become one of the University’s most prominent advocates for Hispanic and Latino pride and has ascended to president of the organization.

“My parents are both proud Mexican-Americans, and our heritage was always celebrated at home, but the suburb I come from [Homewood] is majority-white and I hadn’t really come out of my shell yet,” she says. “It took a nudge from friend to join first just as a member and then a leadership role, and now I can’t imagine my time at Roosevelt without ALAS.”

Established to empower and connect Latino students across programs and campuses at Roosevelt, ALAS allows Hispanic and Latino students to network with each other and other professionals, celebrate culturally important holidays and gather to celebrate a shared heritage.  

“Events and meetings are nice, but our real intention is to celebrate heritage,” says Esparza. “In this political moment when there is so much misinformation and fear spreading around, we can gather together in solidarity and appreciate how diverse and rich Hispanic and Latino culture is. We might all be connected by the Spanish language, but there is so much we can learn from each other.” 

Hispanic and Latino culture encompasses three continents, dozens of nationalities and hundreds of dialects, so Esparza works to make ALAS events accessible to all by focusing on popular holidays such as Día de los Muertos (where participants honor their dead friends and family with colorful candy skulls), lotería nights (a luck-based game similar to Bingo) and Valentine’s Day. ALAS also has robust professional development programs throughout the school year, partnering with Roosevelt’s STEM Center to create panels of Hispanic and Latino professionals in various fields to discuss navigating the working world as a minority. 

ALAS also works to support its first-generation members who comprise a majority of the organization. Many Hispanic and Latino students are children of immigrants and the first members of their family to attend college, and Esparza creates a weekly member newsletter containing links to Roosevelt financial aid opportunities, external scholarships and on-campus employment opportunities to make sure ALAS members can pursue their degree.

“Most of our members are first-generation and the first people in their family to earn a degree,” says Esparza. “Family members navigating the language barrier and financial difficulties are something our community faces in higher-ed, and I’m always focused on ALAS helping these members.” 

Most importantly, ALAS provides Hispanic and Latino students a space to amplify their voices on campus. Roosevelt was recently recognized as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), 35% of Roosevelt undergraduates identify as Hispanic or Latino, and Esparza can feel the community’s presence on campus. “You can definitely tell that Roosevelt fits the description of Hispanic-Serving Institution,” she says. “There are so many fellow students and professors that look like me, and I’m not sure my time at ALAS would be this successful without the campus environment being so welcoming to Hispanic and Latino students.”