Deborah Aguilera, Contributing Writer
Virginia Commonwealth University’s Latine Student Association blends cultural celebration, social support and campus advocacy into a welcoming space. Whether students are looking to reconnect with their roots, discover new perspectives or simply find a place to belong, the organization offers a built-in family in the middle of Richmond.
Alessandra Caceres Mendoza has been a member of LSA since her freshman year. Now a senior, she serves on LSA’s executive board as co-chair of public relations, overseeing the organization’s social media, event flyers and recording its events throughout the year.
For Caceres Mendoza, joining LSA gave her a solid group of people to lean on and connect with.
“It’s my home away from home,” Caceres Mendoza said.
LSA’s purpose is to build a community and safe environment for all, according to Caceres Mendoza. Although the organization is Latine inclusive, they are not Latine exclusive, students of all backgrounds are welcome.
LSA keeps a packed schedule throughout the year, Caceres Mendoza said. Members stay involved beyond regular meetings by competing in intercollegiate sports games, organizing local Richmond community service projects, participating in charity, going on group trips and attending formal galas.
Caceres Mendoza explained LSA’s familias program. The program is to help members build connections by pairing members into small groups based on shared interests and hobbies. New students are matched with “padres” and fellow “siblings” giving everyone a built-in support system.
According to Caceres Mendoza, LSA is bringing the VCU community together to celebrate and represent Hispanic Heritage Month. The club is spotlighting members on social media and hosting a lineup of events, including a Loteria game night with prizes, a hands-on pupusa making night, a Día de los Muertos celebration and a potluck featuring dishes from the members’ home countries.
LSA is just one piece of a much larger network on campus, working alongside groups such as Society for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science, Avanzando Latinos con Motivación y Acción, Latinos and Hispanics in health at VCU, The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers at VCU and several other organizations, according to Caceres Mendoza.
Janelle Lapid joined LSA last spring without knowing what to expect. She had encountered the organization through events with Filipino Americans Coming Together. Although Lapid does not come from a Hispanic background, she had an overwhelmingly positive experience with LSA, with her favorite part being the opportunity to join a familia.
“Your race and/or ethnicity does not matter in LSA,” Lapid said.
Lapid said the group’s energy and spirit stood out to her.
“Everyone there loves their culture and embracing each other,” Lapid said.
There is never a dull moment in LSA, according to Lapid. The organization balances friendly competition, cultural pride and pure enjoyment.
Kenyaz Rajabi joined LSA as a search for visibility and representation on campus. Within the organization, she discovered a close-knit community of peers who share similar cultural backgrounds and lived experiences.
Rajabi’s understanding of culture is deeply intertwined with her upbringing and family roots. The music she listens to, the food she enjoys and the values she holds are all reflections of the environment in which she grew up, Rajabi said.
“It’s pride, my identity, my family,” Rajabi said.
Rajabi said she believes it is crucial to amplify voices and accomplishments that often go unnoticed. She hopes Hispanic Heritage Month serves as a dedicated platform to highlight the community’s major achievements and contributions. She said Latine milestones are too frequently glossed over or minimized in mainstream conversations.
Rajabi said she hopes to see LSA expand its community outreach initiatives while encouraging students from all walks of life to engage with the group.