¡Hola y bienvenidos!

The Latine Faculty & Staff Association (est. 2023) is committed towards building community among the Latine faculty, staff, and other professionals at WSU. Through voice, support, and service - we work to foster an inclusive workplace where the Latine community can thrive.

Our History

The Latine Faculty & Staff Association (est. 2023) was conceived from the WSU HSI Strategic Plan: Formalizing support for current and future Latine faculty and staff at WSU. 

Founding Members:

  • Dr. Sara Mata | Executive Director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives 
  • Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte, M.S. | Assistant Director for Student Success
  • Dr. Edil Torres Rivera | Professor of Latinx Studies & Counseling
  • Nigel Soria, PhD | Research Economist & Data Scientist 
  • Maria Lucas, M.S. | Academic Advisor
Our Purpose

We are dedicated to celebrating Latine identities and amplifying the voices of Latine Faculty and Staff within our institution. By fostering cultural exchange, professional growth, and mutual support, LFSA empowers its members to influence meaningful change and advance equitable opportunities.

Rooted in cultural pride and resilience, LFSA contributes to WSU's broader mission of inclusive excellence.

Our Leadership

FY 2024-2025

  • President: Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte - Assistant Director for Student Success (First-Year Programs)
  • Vice President: Sofia Polanco Botteselle | Events Coordinator (UEMS)
  • Secretary: Griselda Gomez - Administrative Assistant & Support to the Dean (Honors College)
  • Treasurer: Jessica Pierpoint - Library Patent and Trademark Specialist (University Libraries)
  • Publicity Chair: Natanya Ordonez - Academic Program Coordinator (Barton School of Business)
Our Members (UNDER CONSTRUCTION)

LFSA Members (2024-2025)

 No photo available of Dr. Sara Mata

Executive Director of Hispanic Serving Initiatives

 No photo available of Dr. Rocio Del Aguila

Chair and Grauduate Studies Coordinator, Associate Professor

 No photo available of Dr. Enrique Navarro-Serrano

Associate Dean, Graduate School

 No photo available of Dr. Edil Torres Rivera

Professor in Latinx Studies

 No photo available of Dr. Ana Lazarin

Director of Inclusive Excellence

 No photo available of Dr. Gabriel Fonseca

Executive Director of Student Engagement & Belonging

 No photo available of Isabel Medina Keiser

Director of Student Accomodatins & Testing

 No photo available of Elia Ortega

First-Year Advisor (OneStop)

 No photo available of Ivan Castillo, M.S.

Student Program Coordinator

 No photo available of Nigel Soria, Ph.D

Applied Research & Collaboration Manager

 No photo available of Eiran Saucedo Rodarte, M.S.

Assistant Director of Student Success (First-Year Programs)

 No photo available of Sofia Polanco Botteselle

Events Coordinator (UEMS)

 No photo available of Natanya Ordonez

Graduate Program Specialist

 No photo available of Jessica Piertpoint, MLS

Library Patent and Trademark Specialist

 No photo available of Griselda Gomez

Administrative Specialist & Support to the Dean (Honors College)

 No photo available of Tais Solis

Transfer Admissions Representative

 No photo available of Stephanie Cockrell

Director of Strategic Enrollment Student Services

 No photo available of Melissa Concely

Associate Registrar

 No photo available of Elsie Hernandez

Admissions Diversity Representative

 No photo available of Marco Hernandez Guillen

Assistnat Teaching Professor of Print Media

 No photo available of Efrain Rueda

University Police Sergeant

 No photo available of Jaya Escobar-Bhattacharjee

Program Manager, College Readiness/Retention Programs

 No photo available of Cheyla Clawson

Associate Professor and Director of School of Peforming Arts

 No photo available of Vivian Zavataro

Create and Executive Director, Ulrich Museum

 No photo available of Dyana Baca

Administrative Specialist, College of Applied Studies

 No photo available of Margarita Nuhfer

Assistant Professor, School of Psychology

 No photo available of Angela Beeler

Associate Professor, College of Applied Studies

 No photo available of Kimberly Silva

Registered Nurse, Student Health Center

 No photo available of Sabrina Vasquez

Senior Educator & Choreographer

 No photo available of Laura Manning

Executive Assistant to the Provost

 No photo available of Santiago Vera Torres

Senior Security Engineer

 No photo available of Dinorah Azpuru

Professor, College of Liiberal Arts & Sciences

 No photo available of Diana Carbahal

NIAR Business Operations Manager

 No photo available of Larissa Tessendorf

Project and Office Coordinator, College of Engineering

 No photo available of Amber Adnerson

Associate Director of Enrollment & Retention, Academic Affairs

 No photo available of Sergio Salinas Monroy

Associate Professor, College of Engineering

 No photo available of Robert Jimenez

Senior Telecommunications Technician

 No photo available of Danny Ortiz

Desktop Support Specialist

 No photo available of Chandra Cralle

Regional Admissions Manager

 No photo available of Diana Lady

Public Health Programs Specialist

 No photo available of Sara Shaffer

Director of Operations

 No photo available of Georgina LaFoe

Community Program Specialist

 No photo available of Mercy Umeri

Assistant Teaching Professor, College of Liberal Arts & Sciences

 

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Events & Meetings

Meetings take place on the 2nd Wednesday of every month between 3:30pm-4:30pm In-Person and on Microsoft Teams. 

Fall 2024 Meetings:

  • September 11th, 3:30pm-4:30pm @ RSC 
  • October 9th, 3:30pm-4:30pm @ TBD
  • November 13th, 3:30pm-4:30pm @ TBD 
  • December 11th, 3:30pm-4:30pm @ TBD

To view our Fall 2024 Program Calendar, please click here (coming soon).

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Membership

Membership is open to all Wichita State University employees and retirees. Annual membership is not mandatory, but encouraged to contribute to LFSA programming efforts.

Active Membership: $5/Pay Period ($130 annually)

Dues & donations can be paid by completing the voluntary payroll deduction form. 

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Contact Us

We welcome all engagement, community building, and advocacy opportunities! 

Contact: Eiran Saucedo-Rodarte (eiran.saucedo-rodarte@wichita.edu)


Annual Latine Faculty & Staff Association Awards

The Annual LFSA Awards is a way to recognize the contributions of Latine Students, Faculty, and Staff to Wichita State University. Recognized student organizations, university affiliated student groups, and individuals may be nominated by a student, faculty member, or staff member. One application must be completed for each award on wishes to apply for and must have all parts to be considered by the LFSA Awards Committee.

Nominations for 2025 Awards will open on March 1st, 2025 and are due March 20th at 11:59pm. 

The Elisa Chacon Award

This recognition is named after Elisa Chacon, WSU's first latine student graduate (1932). The Award will be given to an Undergraduate Student who has excelled in the following areas: Scholarship, Community, Leadership, and Advocacy.

The Hector Franco Award 

This recognition is named after Hector Franco, WSU's earliest Graduate Level degree recipient (1950). The Award will be given to a Graduate Student who has excelled in in the following areas: Scholarship, Community, Leadership, and Advocacy.

The Joseph "Jose" Angulo Award

This recognition is named after Joseph "Jose" Angulo, WSU's longtime professor who taught at WSU for 37 years (1930's-1960's). This Award will be given to a Faculty member who has excelled in advocating, promoting, mentoring, and engaging with the Latine community at WSU.

The Marcelino "Chelo" Huerta Award

This recognition is named after Marcelino "Chelo" Huerta, WSU's Head Football Coach (1962-1964) who was inducted in to the College Football Hall of Fame (2002). This Award will be given to a Staff member who has excelled in advocating, promoting, mentoring, and engaging with the Latine community at WSU.

The Camarena Community Award

This recognition is named after Gene and Yolanda Camarena, founders of the Shocker Adelante Scholars (2020). Awarded to a student who embodies the highest ideals of character, leadership, and service and whose commitment has made a significant impact to the Latine Community at WSU.