LAAC - Who we are


		Who We Are En Español
Home Who we are Executive Board Members Events Committees Scholarships Job Opportunities Links		Values We are brought together by heritage, social responsibility and the desire to improve the quality of life for all Latin Americans on the Central Connecticut State University campus through one collective voice. We value excellence in education, professional pursuits and leadership. Mission The mission of the association is to promote and contribute to the development of Latin Americans at CENTRAL CONNECTICUT STATE UNIVERSITY, to achieve educational excellence, promotional opportunity, and to enhance the well-being of Latin American faculty, staff, and students. Vision Together we shall strive to influence the multi-cultural development of the educational, economic and policy processes in order to enhance and achieve the potential of Latin Americans at Central Connecticut State University. Our goal is to attain excellence through integrity, empowerment, diversity and pluralism. Objectives The association intends to work very closely with the university leadership in meeting the university’s mission and the needs of the Hispanic community both within and outside of the university. The association will provide leadership and networking opportunities for Latin Americans on this campus. The association will promote the importance of the multifaceted contributions by the Hispanic community to this institution and the state of Connecticut. The association will be dedicated to increasing the participation of Latin American professionals and college students in the affairs of Central Connecticut State University. The association will promote a meaningful curriculum, a multi-cultural faculty and an environment sensitive to the needs of a diverse student population. The association will contribute to the University by engaging in outreach programs in order to increase interest and participation of Latin Americans in Central Connecticut State University. The association will monitor the educational progress of Latin Americans and assure inclusion of the Hispanic community. The association will promote, disseminate and preserve Latin American culture on our campus. Strategic Goals Short-term Educational To continue increasing the number of Latin Americans entering Central Connecticut State University both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To promote understanding of the Latin American culture to administrators, students and staff within residence life, in order to be able to respond to problems arising due to issues or concerns of cultural misunderstanding. To promote Latin American Heritage Awareness during October. Professional Growth and Development To serve as partner and advisory group to the Central Connecticut State University management team. To promote upward mobility of Latin Americans into management, professional and staff capacities. To increase the emphasis on hiring Latin American administrators, faculty and staff. To hire a professional bilingual & bicultural Latin American in order to lead the effort in recruitment of undergraduate and graduate Latin American students. To provide administrators, faculty and staff with assistance for professional conferences. Community Development To strengthen ties with Hispanic community-based organizations at the local, regional and national levels. To continue strengthening links to Latin American Institutions of Higher Education. Long-term Educational To increase recruitment, retention and graduation of Latin American students at Central Connecticut State University both at the undergraduate and graduate levels. To sponsor educational links to elementary, middle and high schools; especially those with large concentrations of Latin Americans. To establish a Minority Administrator/Faculty Fellowship Program. To offer a bilingual and bicultural educational certificate in order to prepare teachers who wish to work in multi-cultural educational settings. To offer specialized courses on the Puerto Rican experience (history, geography, art, etc.). To establish an interdepartmental program in Caribbean/Latin American studies. To establish a Latin American Scholarship. Professional Growth and Development To increase career opportunities for Latin American employees at Central Connecticut State University. To establish an office of Multicultural Affairs. To sponsor national conferences, workshops, lectures and symposia on Latin American issues. To sponsor research on Latin American issues, particularly regarding children in the Northeast. To develop a pool of resumes of Latin American administrators, faculty and staff for effective dissemination throughout the institution. To hire a Latin American administrator to work with Latin American students, specifically within the Student Leadership and Development Office. Community Development To participate in Project 2000 for graduate students. To continue support of the Caribbean Studies Center and expand the focus to all Latin American Countries. To establish a Latin American alumni committee. To strengthen links with the Connecticut Association of Latin Americans in Higher Education (CALAHE), the Congress of Latin American Students (CLAS) and other Latin American groups. Social Responsibility To encourage the involvement of administrators, faculty, students and staff in the Hispanic community. To promote faculty expertise on Latin American topics to the public, government and private industry at the regional, national and global levels. Presently, the association is composed of administrators, faculty and staff. Any business dealing with Latin American issues should be brought to the attention of: Francisco Donis, Ph.D., President of the Association and Professor of Psychology Office: Marcus White Hall, room 212 Office telephone #: (860) 832-3108 E-mail: DONIS@CCSU.EDU