The Afro-Latino Alumni Association (ALAA) works to promote the interests of all graduates of color and has been a driving force behind programs designed to support the success of students from historically underrepresented backgrounds. ALAA was also the first sponsor of the HWS Summer Academy, a two-week enrichment program for motivated and promising Geneva High School students who may face barriers to college education.
ALAA has organized and sponsored career panels and networking conferences since its inception, working with the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education to coordinate programs like the Multicultural Networking and Career Conference and the Salisbury Diversity Fellow Program.
Course examines the varied and evolving experiences of Latinas, focusing on themes such as migration and immigration, health and education, labor, and gender.
Through the Mentorship Program, students are paired with alumni to guide them through their HWS experience and beyond. This is done through the organization’s mission driven by consistency, transparency, collaboration, respect, encouragement and coaching. Both mentors and mentees meet at least once a month. Mentees are required to attend at least one event with the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education, and one ALAA workshop per year. Mentors should assist mentees in securing at least one internship. Throughout the year, ALAA committee members will follow up with both parties to address any questions or concerns.
By graduation, students will:
Have completed at least one internship;
Have completed their professional toolkit, including their resume; LinkedIn and CareerNetwork profiles;
Enhanced their personal and professional networks;
Receive tangible knowledge, skills and perspectives from ALAA workshops.
"As a first year at HWS, I originally wanted to be a psychology major. I took “Intro to Psychology and Social Psychology” but as soon as I began the “Intro to Media & Society” course, I knew I wanted to switch majors. When it came to searching for internships, I made sure to schedule appointments with former Associate Director Erin Brockway and Director Brandi Ferrara in the Salisbury Center for Career, Professional and Experiential Education."
