By Camila DeJesus Center for Latino Studies Assistant Director Dr. Anthony Ramirez, Latinitas Communications Director Salwa Yordi, Digital Content Coordinator Frankie Alaniz, Magazine and Media Editor Camila Dejesus, Center’s interim Director Dr. Albert Dejesus.
This Tuesday Latinitas staff took a trip down to Houston to solidify their newfound partnership with The University of Houston Downtown. A prominent branch of the well-known University that identifies as a Hispanic Serving Institute. Throughout the trip, Latinitas got to tour the campus, meet with the Latinas Achieve directive, and give a short presentation on Latinitas mission and impact. The entire thing was orchestrated by UHD’s Center for Latino Studies, led by Assistant Director Dr. Anthony Ramirez, and the Center’s interim Director, my father Dr. Albert Dejesus.
This partnership has been a long time coming as since I began working at Latinitas, I couldn’t help but tell my dad all the amazing things we were doing. The camps, and conferences, and how surprised I was that we weren’t yet in Houston. A place Mayor Turner himself deemed the most diverse city in the country. Through lots of care and effort, we were able to come together to partner up and bring Latinitas to H-Town. Though this partnership currently solely contains internships, we have big plans to bring Latinitas programs and positivity to the city.
As it stands right now, the University of Houston Downtown’s Center for Latino Studies has sponsored four paid internships. Lending their talent in two Magazine Interns, Indira Zaldivar and Stefhanie Lazo, who will be writing solely in Spanish. We are still currently taking applications for a Graphic Design Intern and a Video Content Editor Intern. This is extremely meaningful as our Digital Content Coordinator, Frankie Alaniz, actually lives and works in Houston. Making this partnership a homecoming of sorts for all of us. If you have any interest, please feel free to click here for more information on the internships and how to apply.
With roots planted firmly in Austin, programs located in San Antonio, and a few branches now delicately placed in Houston, it seems Latinitas is gradually spreading all over the Lone Star State. Now, combined with the amazing efforts of the University of Houston Downtown, we can’t wait for you to see what’s to come next!
To keep up with this newfound partnership, you can follow Latinitas on social media, and check in on the Latino Studies Instagram page.