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Chancellor Javier Reyes
EDUCATION IS ABOUT UNDERSTANDING A CULTURALLY RICH AND DIVERSE COMMUNITY
JAVIER REYES
PROVOST & VICE-CHANCELLOR FOR ACADEMIC AFFAIRS OF THE UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS CHICAGO (UIC)
Johanna Hoyos Courtesy of Javier Reyes F. Izquierdo JAVIER REYES is one of three boys raised by a stay-at-home mother and a lawyer father, both Mexican. Reyes went to Tecnológico de Monterrey, a private university in Mexico City, for his bachelor’s degree in economics. In 1995, he started his career journey as a research economist for Value Casa de Bolsa, an investment banking firm in Mexico, and later became a full-time employee. Reyes gained economic analysis experience, attending meetings with the Central Bank and understanding what experiential learning truly meant. He then pursued a Doctor of Philosophy in economics from Texas A&M University, where he got a scholarship.
His original career goal was to go back to Mexico. A year after his doctorate program, his mentor suggested that Reyes pursue academia, “you ask many questions, and you want to work on answering them.” The advisor exposed Reyes to teaching, research, and helped him secure an internship at the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development. With these experiences, Javier realized that the consultants presenting data were from outside agencies, mainly from universities, sharing knowledge, getting insights, and then going back to their academic research. He was sure of his calling. Reyes decided to join the University of Arkansas to become an assistant professor. After contemplating his future, Reyes discovered his passion was working with students and faculty and started interacting with the Hispanic community in Northwest Arkansas; this changed his career trajectory.
Public Carnegie Research 1 Universities - like the University of Illinois Chicago (UIC)- cannot be a Research 1 University without supporting the balance between research and academic excellence to provide to the students, which is where Reyes thrives. “It’s not just giving out degrees
to students; it’s about being an agent for economic mobility in the community. That's what universities are."
Reyes shares that UIC's success is that “they found the secret sauce." The Latino recruitment and education services (LARES) program at UIC works by collaborating directly with the communities. They raise awareness by building relationships with parents and high school counselors. Also, working with the students early on when applying, recruiting, and answering any questions they may have each semester. The purpose is to create an environment where everyone feels a sense of belonging. Students will always have a set of advisors, people that look
like them, who will support them. Reyes recommends that more colleges and universities work together with their fellow academic institutions because it is the only way to change the vision of the future for the Hispanic student population and other ethnicities and races.
Reyes thanks his mentors, parents, and devoted wife for their endless support and motivational energy. It was paramount for his career successes, allowing for balance and adaptability. “There are little moments in your life
that open windows of opportunity. I want to do that for all the students -find those opportunities. The sacrifices from our parents and our loved ones to give us these opportunities that did not come easy, we need to applaud and always remember that.”
A CHAMPION FOR STEM DIVERSITY
FEW EMBODY UT Arlington’s dedication to inclusive excellence and student success more than mathematics Professor Minerva Cordero. Throughout her career, Dr. Cordero has helped students discover their passion for STEM and encouraged them to break barriers wherever they encounter them. Her accolades include the Ford Mujeres Legendarias award, being named an IF/THEN Ambassador by the American Association for the Advancement of Science, and most recently, the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering Mentoring.
the same mouthwatering reaction, so having them all together in a very well-constructed cigar becomes an experience that you should not miss!
The Casa 1910 “As de Oro” is a medium to full body parejo cigar that should be in every humidor in North America.
A FLAVOR WITH PROFOUND MEANING: CASA 1910 AS DE OROS 6” X 54 TORO
Wrapper: Ecuador Habano Binder: Negro San Andrés Filler: Nicaragua: Seco Jalapa, Viso Ometepe, Ligero Estelí. Price: $17.86 Pre light cold draw: In other words, the flavors, and aromas that we perceived right out of the box were: Dried fruit, woody, nutty, roasted.
The Mexican tobacco industry has been dormant for some decades now, and it is no secret that due to government missteps a few decades ago, the industry collapsed with only a handful of manufacturers that managed to survive with the help of the Virgin Mary.
THE AREA OF SAN ANDRES Tuxtla is world famous for its magnificent volcanic soil, and most of its production has been exported to other countries. But that is about to change as we see a rebirth of Mexican companies that are doing an excellent job creating new masterpieces like Casa 1910.
In this occasion I had the opportunity of tasting two delicacies: “Tierra Blanca” which is a puro since all of its tobaccos are from Mexico, and “As de Oro” which is a cigar, remember that cigars are blends with tobaccos from different countries, and this blend comes with the best this continent has to offer! In this review I will discuss “As de Oro”.
As I was curious about its name, I asked Manolo and Serge, owners of Casa 1910 about it, and their answer was fantastic! “As de Oro” was the name of one of Emiliano Zapata's finest and strongest horses. It was a sorrel with a spectacular bearing and graceful gait. Zapata fought his last battles on this horse until he was found dead in an ambush.
What a great piece of Mexican history to start with! followed by a great selection of tobaccos, so let me say that when I hear the word “San Andres” my reaction is the same as if I hear someone say “Mole Poblano” My mouth instantly starts watering because I know that I am up for a ride. But wait, there is more! This blend also comes with Ecuador Habano, which is another delicacy, on top of that, Master blender Manolo Santiago decided to add Nicaraguan tobaccos from Jalapa, Estelí, and from the Island of Ometepe, ( you can read more about the Ometepe island in my last cigar review). But the truth is that each of those tobaccos will cause us First Third: Aromas and flavors in the realm of dried fruit, woody and roasted. The retro hale was nice and smooth, the draw was plenty and pleasant, and the ash was white and firm.
Second Third: Aromas and flavors in the realm of nutty, earth and fruits. The retro hale and the draw continued to be pleasant, and the ash behaved perfectly
Final Third: The retrohale and the draw were great from start to finish as well as the ash which stood firm like a kid honoring the flag. The burn was even from start to finish, and a full guillotine was the choice to cut this 54” ring size cigar. Since we are tasting tobaccos well known for their strength, in other words A V-cut or a punch would have made the smoking experience stronger after the second third by concentrating the flavors in a small area. Regarding the combustion, this cigar lasted for 60 minutes, the blend is medium to full, qualifying as a 7.5 in a 1-10 scale.
The drink of choice for this tasting was Tequila General Gorostieta Joven, a blend of Blanco and reposado Tequila. This Tequila comes with straw-colored with silver and gold hues, full-bodied and sumptuous, the olfactory phase presents notes of caramel, vanilla, and coconut due to its barrel aging, with soft hints of citrus, lemon, and orange blossom. Delicate shades of preserved fruits, cherry, peach, fresh grass, and intense cooked agave. Tasting phase: Sweet, with magnificent complexity of flavors and mouthfeel. A forward presence of intense cooked agave and a soft aftertaste of ripe grapefruit.
A DELIGHT FOR FALL
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Jorge Ferráez @ JFerraez_Latino @ferraez.wine Luis E. González
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