Professional Hispanic Network at Texas A&M University: 2013

Howdy friends,

Thank you for your participation in nominating our officers for next year. Please review their biographies and vision statements before casting your vote. Voting may be done here. Voting begins April 23, 2013 and closes on April 30, 2013 by 11:59pm (Central). Winners will be announced during our "PHN End of the Year Social Potluck" on May 2nd, 2013 in MSC 2200 from 11:30 - 1:00pm. Congratulations to the following nominees:

PHN 2013 – 2014 Candidates

President

Bonnie Bustos-Ríos

Bonnie Bustos-Ríos completed a B.A. in English with a Biology minor at The University of Texas – Pan American in Edinburg, TX and a M.S. in Educational Administration (Student Affairs Administration) at Texas A&M University. She currently serves as an academic advisor in the department of Teaching, Learning, and Culture in the College of Education and Human Development and serves on the Advisor Committee for the CEHD, is an active member of the University Advisors & Counselors organization as Vice President of Communications and as a member of various committees, Aggie Allies, and the Professional Hispanic Network, where she currently serves as the Marketing Officer. She currently advises the Council for Minority Student Affairs, a student organization dedicated to representing the social and political needs of underrepresented students at Texas A&M, and she advises Aggie Fish Club, and freshman leadership organization.

Vision Statement

After finishing graduate school, I was excited to find the PHN, as a home away from home, and a family that reminded me just where I came from. It is comforting to know that there are dedicated professionals on this campus who offer professional and social support to each other. I hope to continue fostering this environment for PHN members by continuing to provide social and professional development opportunities that enrich the experience of Hispanic/Latin@ faculty and staff on this campus. Creating an inclusive and welcoming environment takes a dedicated and committed individuals, and so far, I feel the PHN has managed to do that, but there is always room for growth and improvement. I am hoping that more targeted and intentional connections between professionals on campus will create and even wider web of fellowship and support for all our members.

Vice – President

Melanie Weiser Krugel

Melanie Weiser Krugel is a Program Advisor in the Memorial Student Center Programs Office where she advises CAMAC (the Committee for the Awareness of Mexican American Culture) and Aggie Cinema. She is also the MSC liaison for Green Dot, the Division of Student Affairs Personal Power Based Violence prevention program where she actively works with her fellow trained facilitators to educate the campus community on the importance of Active Bystander action. Weiser Krugel has been with the MSC for almost 3 years and has been involved with PHN throughout her time at Texas A&M. She is also the current outgoing PHN President. When not working she likes to spend time with her husband, their “son/puppy” Manolo, as well as friends and family.

Vision Statement

If elected to serve as the Professional Hispanic Network Vice President I will work with my fellow team members to increase the membership of PHN and plan programs that help to bring us closer as a community. In the past year we have made some great progress in increasing the awareness of PHN and I hope to continue to be part of PHN’s bright future.

Secretary

Osmara García

Osmara García is an Administrative Assistant (and part – time advisor) for the Department of Philosophy where she assists with the undergraduate program. In addition to advising and managing clerical duties for Philosophy, she is also part of the Diversity Committee for the Department and is part – time advisor to Liberal Arts Student Council (LASC). Osmara has been at Texas A&M University since Fall 2008 when she first started as an undergraduate student in Communication and graduated in Spring 2012. When not working she likes to “‘try’ to keep in shape”, keep up with current Latino/Hispanic issues, and visit her family in Brownsville, TX.

Vision Statement

If elected to serve as the Professional Hispanic Network Secretary I will continue to work with PHN to keep members updated and informed on relevant events. I will also improve on recording minutes of all meetings to get more accurate information for our records and constantly update or blog page (http://phntamu.blogspot.com).

Treasurer

Dr. Sonia J. García

Dr. Sonia Garcia is currently the Director of Undergraduate Recruitment and Retention at the College of Geosciences at Texas A&M University. Dr. Sonia J. Garcia comes to the College of Geosciences via Mays Business School where from 2003-2008 she led Mays’ recruitment efforts as Assistant Director.

Dr. Garcia’s teaching expertise is in cultural/intercultural communications, Latinos in higher education, and retention of first generation college students. Her research interestes is: Ethnic Identity Development, Relationships between student and academic affairs, mentoring and retention of at risk students, and Latinas in Higher Education.

Prior to coming to Texas A&M University, Dr. Garcia worked at Michigan State University where she had extensive experience in student and academic affairs. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Massachusetts at Boston in Political Science, a master's degree from the University of Rhode Island in College Student Personnel, and a doctoral degree from Michigan State University in Higher Educational and Administration with cognates in Sociology and Labor Industrial Relations.

Dr. Garcia has received several awards, she received the 2005 Outstanding Staff for Mays Business School, the 2008 President’s Award for Academic Advising, the 2011 Latino American the Who’s Who for her Achievement on the Advancing the Culture of Latino American Business Community, and the 2012 Dean’s Distinguished Achievement Award at the College of Geosciences.

Vision Statement

If elected to serve as the Professional Hispanic Network Treasurer I commit to provide optimal costumer services as well as to manage the financial resources within my/our purview effectively and efficiently and to promote prudent financial practices for the Professional Hispanic Network.

Treasurer

Cruz Ríos

Cruz has worked at the Department of Multicultural Services as Program Advisor for the past four years and has also participated with PHN for the past three years. This last year he served as Vice President for PHN.

Vision Statement

If elected to serve as the Professional Hispanic Network Treasurer I would like to continue to be actively involved by raising funds and awareness for the organization.

Marketing

Sylvia Cristine Islas

Sylvia Cristine Islas is from Tucson, AZ, and is part of the first generation in her family to have gone to college. Sylvia attended the University of Arizona in Tucson and studied Linguistics with minors in Spanish and American Indian Studies. During college she was highly involved in a faith based mentoring organization called the Navigators. Her involvement in this organization and in a student recruiter position at the Office of Admissions allowed her to mentor many other first generation college students by helping them navigate through college deadlines and the university environment, especially among the Native American student population. Sylvia’s involvement in these efforts helped her find a job at Texas A&M in the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid. This past year she has found her passion for higher education and has learned how to use her knowledge to benefit the Hispanic community. Her passion lies in using education and the education community to empower the community whether it is in getting more representation in the university (student body, faculty, or staff) or to making the services of the University more accessible to the community to inspire and help come up with solutions to problems.

Vision Statement

Knowledge is power, and in the position of Marketing Representative you are the vessel to spread this knowledge. I believe the best way to do that is to develop relationships with local school districts, radio stations, and television stations to spread information to the Hispanic community in Bryan/ College Station of events that we and other likeminded organizations do on campus. This would also best happen through team work and combining of resources with other organizations on to better disseminate information to unite and inspire the Hispanic community to rise to the occasion and above problems.

REMINDER: Voting closes on April 30, 2013 by 11:59pm (Central).

Voting may be done here: http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/S3FDRNT