TU COMUNIDAD
Y MAS F A L L 20 21 | ED I C I Ó N 1
Celebrating Trinity University’s Latinx community, culture, and accomplishments
BROUGHT TO YOU BY MEXICO, THE AMERICAS, AND SPAIN PROGRAM (MAS)
This work has been created exclusively for purposes and usage of the Mexico, the Americas, and Spain program (MAS) at Trinity University. Publication created and designed by Jessica Garcia-Tejeda, edited and approved by Dania Abreu-Torres and Elseke Membreño-Zenteno. All rights reserved.
A Note from the Directors ¡Bienvenidos! 2020 was an extraordinary year in many ways. However, no matter how dire the situation was, we perservered! Bonding together, as a community and as lifetime learners, to engage with each other, to understand new topics, to open our eyes to the world, and to create new relationships; we expanded our communal perspectives and framework. 2021 has been about readjusting to our new normal ways of life and bringing scholars, activists, writers, and alumni together again in new spaces, both physically and mentally, through our identity conversations, guest speaker spotlights, discussion panels, and other celebrations. 2022 will be even better. MAS has not stopped working for our students, planning for our colleagues, and engaging our community in a variety of events and get-togethers. We hope you enjoy reading while looking back and hoping for a better future in communion! Warmly, Dania Abreu-Torres, MAS Director Elseke Membreño-Zenteno, MAS Program Associate Jessica Garcia-Tejeda ‘22, Creative Director
Inaugural class member Maria Arteaga ‘22 reflects on her experience The Latinx Leadership Program has become the core of my academic motivation and social engagement. Transitioning into my first semester, I was ready to move back to the familiarity of my home; heavily missing home-cooked dinners, media in my native tongue, and the warm faces of my family and friends. While on campus and in a new environment, I feared the idea of never finding my home away from home. It wasn’t until Dr. Urquijo-Ruiz enrolled me in the Latinx Leadership Program where I was able to find classmates who could communicate in Spanish and looked more like me.
We shared similar upbringings and interests as well as other customs and traditions. I finally felt understood! Now that I was comfortable, my confidence was apparent through my classroom participation; because my thoughts and opinions mattered regardless of my accent or not knowing how to pronounce certain words. I’ve learned that being a leader requires that I trust in myself and others, that my community will help me find the best path everywhere I go, and most importantly, that I belong. As I get closer to graduation, I am excited for what is to come. I am thankful for my community and those who support me!
TULA a través de Zoom
A word from la presidenta Sabrina Cuauro ‘23
From hosting an affinity night, to welcoming the incoming first year students, to arranging game nights and painting together, we tried to create a carefree and fun environment among the stress of the world around us. We wanted to take our TULA traditions and adapt them to a virtual format. Our Latinx Cuisine Day became a conversation about our passion for food and the memories that dishes can hold. We might not have gotten to enjoy the delicious food, but we got to share stories of our friends and families. Meanwhile our Día de Los Muertos altar transformed into a feature on the Trinity University instagram page where we showcased the altar of one of our members and shared images of our dear loved ones. We are honored to have been recognized with the Leeroy awards for Registered Student Organization of the Year, TU Values and Advisor of the Year. TULA has grown so much in the last couple years and we didn’t let the challenges of the virtual format stop us from continuing to carry out our mission of bringing awareness and celebration of Latinx culture. I am elated for us to plan events that will bring us together, create community, and celebrate all of us!
Deseos De Colores
Encouragement from Thómas Peña ‘22 For those of you who graduated with their Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees this past May, or for those who will graduate this upcoming December and May, I commend you for reaching this triumphant moment in your lives! The diplomas that will hang orgullosamente, proudly, in everyone’s homes, signifies your accomplishments, but do not entirely tell the story of your journey to receiving it. Behind every graduate, stands a community of family, friends, and ancestors that have supported you unconditionally. When wearing your serape stole, be reminded not only of your own journey and accomplishments, but also of those who came before you and those for whom you’ve cleared the path. Celebrate your accomplishments alongside your friends and family, and know you have made the Latinx community proud. Felicidades Class of 2020 and 2021!
Gavin Barrera ‘22
MAS/Alvarez Summer 2020 Internship Grantee Not too long after I joined the Latinx Leadership Program, Dr. Urquijo-Ruiz brought a small toy accordion to class. Since I knew a little bit about music, I played a couple of notes on it to her delight. And, not too long after that day, Dr. Urquijo-Ruiz sent me a flyer for an internship to this music heritage nonprofit group based in San Antonio called the Conjunto Heritage Taller, or simply, the Taller. Before I joined the leadership program, I had a lot of anxiety about internships or taking on leadership roles. But, with the help of the mentorship of my professors and Elseke Membreño-Zenteno, I was able to take the leap and join the Taller. I was happy to find a team dedicated to keeping traditional Mexican American music alive. They told me stories of how they would listen to their abuelos picking up an accordion or guitar and singing old ballads with their friends, going to concerts to see the best of the best of the San Antonio conjunto music scene, and growing up learning how to play the accordion themselves, button by button, note by note. I met legends like Bene Medina, who has played for decades all over the country, from San Antonio to Washington, for young children with wide smiles to President Bill Clinton to singing crowds.
I met Adela Flores, the director of the Taller who dedicates every hour of her day to running the organization, living and breathing conjunto. I met many others, like the intelligent and resourceful Valeria Alderete, the ambitious and knowledgeable Aaron Salinas, and the musical and sharp Joey Villanueva. During my internship, I mostly helped with technology. I created social media posts, wrote email newsletters, assisted with grants, facilitated our business website, and even made a short documentary about the Taller. One of the activities that I most enjoyed, and continued to do, were proctor classes. I helped accordion maestro Bene Medina teach students young and old by facilitating online learning. Due to the fact that the pandemic occurred right before my internship began, we had to start moving everything online. Bene was used to face-to-face interactions when teaching, so this situation made it difficult to keep students learning. But with my help, we were able to have students, even students from around the country, learn polkas and corridos. So far we have held over 250 lessons. After my first summer, Director Adela Flores asked me to stay on for another semester, and luckily that semester has turned into a year, and hopefully another!
Jennifer Matthew BEST OF THE BE S T
« for exceptional contributions to Trinit core institutional mission: teachi scholarship, creative work, and service
Dania Abreu-Torres
D I S TI NGUI SHED ADVISING « for exceptional contributions to Trinity’s core institutional mission: teaching, scholarship, creative work, and service »
Thómas Peña K IND
« embodies the virtues of scholarship a kindness »
Rita Urquijo-Ruiz
ws
TRINITY TOMORROW
« significant contributions in international education, experiential learning, career planning and preparation, inclusive pedagogy, the First-Year Experience program, recruitment, and outreach »
ty’s ing, e »
and
Elseke Membreño-Zenteno
L E E R O Y A D V I S O R O F TH E YEAR
« for developing a strong and impactful relationship with TULA and its group members, working closely to encourage internal member development and overall organization success. »
TULA
LEEROY RSO OF THE YEAR LEEROY TU VALU ES AWAR D « for significantly impacting to the community throughout the year. Contributing to the development, growth, and sustainability of its membership. for the embodiment of the Trinity University values of Enduring Excellence, Intentional Inclusion, and Perpetual Discovery through actions, member retention, programs and initiatives, and overall success. »
Estudiando en España Araceli Gonzalez ’23 reflection
After a year and a half without Study Abroad due to the Coronavirus pandemic, I wasn’t sure if this experience was going to be a possibility for me. Spain is more beautiful than I imagined it would be! Upon my first week traveling, we explored Granada, Sevilla, and Cadiz. Although I settled in just fine, a little homesickness struck while settling into the dorms: I remembered how happy my family gets when helping move my things into the Trinity dorms. Initially I was also nervous about my first day of IES classes, but quickly warmed up to the new classroom environments and professors. I did have trouble with my internship placement because my work hours conflicted with my academic schedule. I am very grateful the internship coordinator was able to help me find another school where I can fulfill my internship in a short amount of time! I would have never imagined knowing the city like the back of my hand. I am comfortable using the metro and know my way around to anywhere I need to go. I am tired and exhausted from all the traveling, but it has been very rewarding. Bladi, Rosana, and Andre have definitely made us feel at home, they are the best!
Caelia Marshall ‘23 goes to Costa Rica
Due to the Coronavirus pandemic, TU Study Abroad was suspended in the Spring of 2019. Fortunately, in the Summer of 2021, Trinity began sending students abroad. When my roommate first approached me with the idea of going on a Costa Rican Ecology trip with her, I was excited yet apprehensive about discovering the cost and restrictions of the trip. The Alvarez grant turned my Costa Rican travel plans from a dream into a reality! During my time in Costa Rica, I met some amazing native Costa Ricans and I made some new Trinity friends as well. In Palo Verde, I celebrated my 20th birthday. The day (June 1st) started with an early morning hike to check our traps for our research, then we went back to the station to eat breakfast at around 8 am. About an hour later, we went on a morning nature hike up a rock called “La Roca” with a tour guide who I discovered shares a birthday with me. After our second hike of the day, we came back for lunch and relaxed before our afternoon art class with one of our professors. During our art class, Dr. Ward introduced watercolors to us. I hadn’t really painted or drawn anything in years, so I struggled to get the hang of it at first. After art, we all went back to our rooms to take a much-needed afternoon nap before we headed back out to our trapping locations at 4 pm to set our traps again.
During all of our hikes on the trip, I recorded short video blogs, or “vlogs”, of my group as we walked. In my birthday vlog, I discussed my birthdays through the years with my group. After returning to the station, we went to the dining hall and ate fish. My roommate and I headed back to our rooms to call it a night when the lights went off. There was silence for a few seconds before everyone erupted into song, singing me a happy birthday. When the lights came back on, our tour guide, Maikol, placed a bright purple and pink cake in front of me that read “Feliz Cumpleaños”. I was so caught off guard and happy that they were able to surprise me with a cake and make my birthday special even though I was away from my home and family. I then cut the cake into 25 pieces and shared it with the tour guides, our bus driver, the professors, the kitchen staff, and all my fellow students. Overall, my experience in Costa Rica made me a more informed and culturally aware student, and a kinder, more mentally tough, and understanding individual. I wouldn’t trade my experience for the world and I am eternally grateful for the support of the Alvarez Family!
Adrian Herrera ‘24
MAS/Alvarez Summer 2021 Internship Grantee I had the privilege of interning with the Esperanza Peace and Justice Center. It is a nonprofit committed to generating equitable changes that aim to uplift San Antonians, specifically through socio economic justice, community development, and racial equity. I took on a multitude of projects and tasks, which focused on housing justice and anti-gentrification work. I created flyers for a tenant coalition, created logos and infographics, presented speeches for the city’s housing commission meetings, tabled events, co-hosted a new podcast show for their radio station, sampled and visited multiple historic properties in San Antonio’s Cattleman Square District, and helped a research team gather archives on those properties. Ultimately, I was able to create a digital story map to address the importance of preserving historic buildings to tell their stories and repurpose them for affordable community use. These projects allowed me to get involved in serious citywide issues and learn about what is truly being done to prevent the spread of displacement and demolitions in low-income and historic neighborhoods throughout San Antonio.
Although I am not from San Antonio, this internship built my confidence in my oral communication to speak on behalf of tenants and Westside residents at risk of getting evicted. This internship showed me what the development side of the nonprofit sector entails and taught me how passion, communication, and diligence are fuel for this organization. While this internship is not directly related to my major, I will take this opportunity and apply it to my course of study and my future professional career as an engineer. Engineers must take into account social and infrastructural obstacles and research the culture and demographics of a neighborhood when investigating a site or before working on a project. In my future career, I will have to make decisions that affect communities. This internship provided a valuable opportunity to combine two distinct lenses and ways of thinking, civic engagement & engineering, that are both important to me. Overall, as an Engineering Science student, I want to motivate other Trinity students to promote social justice regardless of the career they are pursuing.
Samsara Davalos Reyes ‘19 is from Houston, Texas and majored in Sociology and minored in education at Trinity University. As the oldest daughter of Mexican immigrants, Samsara learned from a young age the power of education. Growing up hearing from her father "people can take everything away from you but what they can't take away is your education." Samsara carried that message to heart in her academic and personal work while at Trinity and beyond. While Samsara worked arduously on her studies, she was an involved student in the Trinity community as a leader and member. Some of Samsara's favorite memories from her time at Trinity were the weekly Friday three hour Latinx Leadership "classes". "Classes" is in quotatious because honestly it felt more like a community gathering where everyone was able to show up as their full selves, unload on the burden's of being a Latinx student at predominantly white institutions, and regain joy that comes from en comunidad. Since it was a mixed cohort of all grade levels, it has been beautiful to see all the first years I formed deep relationships with grow as leaders and students throughout the year. After graduating Trinity, Samsara did a Fulbright English Teaching Assistantship in Colombia where that adventurous spirit ablaze in her work and travels. Most recently, she finished her Master of Arts in Teaching at Brown University and looks forward to starting her career in Education.
Katsuo Nishikawa DOCU MENTARY
Received the Migrant Narratives Project grant from The Institute for Diversity and Civic Life to create a documentary about exiled DACA recipients adapting to life in Mexico. The documentary is called the Price of a Dream. The people we interviewed were mostly in Guanajuato.
Norma Cantú
PU BLICATION S & P R E S E N T AT I
Teaching Gloria Anzaldúa: Pedagogies our Classrooms and our Communities (U Az Press. 2020)
Co-editor of the Critical Edition Borderlands/la Frontera by Gloria Anzald
NACCS: moderated a panel; read poe Tema: Poesía por La Madre Tier Periódicos El Planeta y El Tiempo Latino Design Sponge Cabañuelas
and
+7 more presentations
Alan Astro PU BLICATION
Alan Astro's Autour du yiddish de Paris à Buenos Aires (243 p.; Paris: Classiques Garnier, 2021) was featured at a book fair held at the Museum of Jewish Art and History of Paris, September 5, 2021.
interview
w
Carlos Ardavín PUB L I CATIONS
Observaciones y evocaciones de un letraherido (Prosa reunida). Santo Domingo: Ediciones Cielonaranja, 2021. La isla subjetiva (Obra dominicana). Santo Domingo: Ediciones Cielonaranja, 2020. Pasajero de la literatura (1944-2000) by Antonio Fernández Spencer. Ed. Carlos X. Ardavín Trabanco. Santo Domingo: Ediciones Cielonaranja, 2020.
Jennifer Matthews PIPER PROFESSOR TEA C HI N G AWARD RECIPIENT
IO N S
for U of
Gust, John R. and Jennifer P. Mathews Bittersweet History: Sugarcane, Rum, Labor and Life on the Yucatán Peninsula. Peer-reviewed monograph with the University of Arizona Press, Tucson.
of dúa
etry: rra,
Funded grant proposal: “At the Trowel's Edge: Reimagining Inclusivity and Diversity Within Our Archaeological Futures.” ACS/Mellon grant proposal for revising Introduction to Archaeology courses for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion across 10 Associated College of the South campuses.
with
Alfred Montoya
P UB L IC ATI O NS & PRE S E NTATIONS
Montoya, Alfred. “Becoming MSM: Sexual Minorities
and Public Health Regimes in Vietnam.” Open Anthropological
Research.
Special
Issue:
“Anthropology and Pandemics.” Vol.1, Issue 1. 2021. Montoya,
Alfred.
“Making
MSM:
Biopolitical
Subjects in Vietnam.” HAU: Journal of Ethnographic Theory. Vol. 10, No. 3. 2020
“Structural Violence and the Social Determinants of Health in San Antonio, TX.” Healthcare Equity and
Social Justice Around the Globe. Reynolds, Virginia Commonwealth
University,
Emory
University
Humphrey Fellows Symposium. March 2021. +9 more presentations
Other incredible events cel Diversity and Inclusion Off Gonzalez & Adriana M. Gar Where Wonder Grows and how belonging and growing
On September 23rd, Dr. Adr and Borders”, an exploratio witnesses of conflict and re
The 2021 Latinx Heritage Month came to a close on a beautiful Fall evening with the wonderful and creative performances of Viva las Américas! Hosted by TULA at the Prassell Lawn. It was an evening of performances with surprising singers and dynamic dancers, including Trinity’s Acabellas, Loon-E Crew, and several acts created by TULA members, as well as delicious food from across the Americas. Viva Las Americas is a unique event, now a tradition of Trinity’s Latinx Heritage Month celebration.
Latinx Guest Speakers:
Xelena González
Story teller, dancer, and author of All Around Us
With the sponsorship of th Sonya Aleman of UTSA pres American Identity”, a closer identity redefinition.
And finally, our Latinx Alum titled “TU Comunidad-The L Dr. Luis Martinez, Tayde Con
Ad
Associate Professor of Studies in Race, Colonia
lebrating Latinx heritage were hosted by MAS and the Student fice. Our opening event on September 13th featured Xelena rcia, author and illustrator, of Latinx children’s books such as All Around Us. They shared with us their creative process and g up stories also matter in the Latinx community.
riana Zavala, from Tufts University, gave her lecture “Of Bodies on of racialization on the border and how bodies of art become esolution.
he Diversity and Inclusion Office, led by Courtney Balderas, Dr. sented her research “La Reina: The Impact of Selena on Mexican r look at Selena’s music and performances as part of a Mexican
mni shared their Trinity experiences on October 11th with a panel Latinx Community at Trinity University”, with the participation of ntreras, and Aaron Sanchez.
driana Zavala
f History of Art and Architecture and alism, and Diaspora at Tufts University
Adriana M. Garcia
Artist, muralist, and illustrator of All Around Us
Latinx Studies major holds logo contest The major in Global Latinx studies offers students an interdisciplinary analysis of the Latinx experience from past to present. The curriculum primarily focuses on the Latinx diasporas throughout the world, including communities with a shared colonial past with Spain and Portugal. The major was fully implemented in 2019 and is growing fast. Throughout Latinx Heritage Month, MAS ran a logo design contest in which students were asked to imagine how Global Latinx Studies could be represented in an image. Students submitted their work and the winners were announced at Viva Las Americas. The winner was Sabrina Cuauro Cuauro ‘23, with Rafaela Maritinez ‘24 and Veronica Arraiz ‘21 as close runners-up. Congratulations to all!
ALVAREZ SEMINARS
The 2021 Alvarez Seminar was organized by Dr. Rocio Delgado, professor from the Education Department. Entitled Una buena educación: Building on Strengths of Latinx Youth, the seminar hosted Drs. Luis Urrieta, José Medina and Angela Valenzuela in a virtual exploration of identity, translanguaging, and how to create a better space for Latinx educators and students. Although a Zoom Seminar, all the events were a success, and with the leadership of Dr. Rocio Delgado, the discussion was deep and meaningful. Thank you to all that participated and collaborated!
Next 2022 Alvarez Seminar is being organized by Dr. Ana María Mutis, assistant professor of Spanish in the Modern Languages and Literatures Department. The Seminar “Green Matters: Environmental Literature, Art, and Activism in Latin America and the Latinx World” will bring together experts concerned about the environment and how post-colonial policies have impacted the natural resources in Latin America and the Caribbean. Hope you can join us!
Dr. Rita Urquijo-Ruiz Receives The National MALCS Tortuga Award The Tortuga Award originated in 2004 when Mujeres Activas en Letras y Cambio Social/Women Active in Letters and Social Change (MALCS) recognized the need to formally acknowledge the tremendous professional accomplishments and contributions of its members. Annually, this award is given to a MALCS member who has used her/their expertise, experience and commitment to support and advance the MALCS mission. The Tortuga Award is a token of appreciation for scholars and administrators who have made a difference in their respective academic and administrative fields, cleared the educational path for many women of color and gender non-conforming peoples, and whose work established and enhanced MALCS. Dr. Urquijo-Ruiz's participation and leadership in MALCS, her contributions and mentorship of undergraduate and graduate students as well as of young scholars and community artists and activists earned her this recognition. She joins a distinguished list of Chicana and Latina national leaders. This year's Tortuga Award was designed and created by Verónica Castillo who is an internationally recognized artist.
Upcoming Alvarez Seminar Series for Spring 2022 February 9: Dr. Elizabeth Pettinaroli, Rhodes College March 2: Dr. Ilka Kressner, SUNY- Albany March 23: Dr. Gisela Heffes, Rice University March 30: Fernando A. Flores, Author of Tears of the Trufflepig
Connect with MAS! Instagram: mastrinityu Twitter: trinity_mas Questions or Comments? Email Elseke Membreño-Zenteno emembren@trinity.edu