Carnegie Mellon University

Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance

Meetings and Events

  • Join us for an all-ERG World Storytelling Day event on March 20 from 4:30–6 p.m. at the Hunt Library, Studio A. The theme for 2024 is "Building Bridges."

To become a member of the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance, please submit a membership form so you can be informed of upcoming meetings and events. There is no cost associated with membership and no time commitments. Members can attend as many meetings and events as they would like. Individual membership in ERGs is strictly voluntary and open to all individuals who are interested in promoting diversity, equity and inclusiveness. Refer to the ERG benefits and guidelines for more information.

Resources

  • LinkedIn Learning Online Courses (CMU login required) — A variety of courses are available for English language learners and non-native speakers of English; type "ESL" in the search bar to view options. You can also view courses in Spanish; click on the globe icon at the top right of the page to change the language.
  • Latino/Hispanic Book List — Recommended fiction and non-fiction reading, curated by the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance co-leads 
  • Latino Community Center — Empower, advocate with, and celebrate Latinos in Allegheny County.
  • Latin American Cultural Center — Experience the art, history and culture of Latin America and the Caribbean.
  • Casa San José — Celebrate Latino culture; welcome immigrants; and embrace inclusion, dignity and respect.
  • Pittsburgh Hispanic Development Corporation — Dedicated to improving the lives of Hispanics in the region, increasing the Hispanic population, supporting existing and new Hispanic businesses, and increasing Hispanic investments in the region.

Mission Statement

The mission of the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance is to serve as a support system and encourage a sense of belonging within Carnegie Mellon University. The group will focus on community building, multicultural awareness, and programming designed to promote diversity, equity and inclusion at Carnegie Mellon University.

La misión del Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance (Alianza de Facultad y Personal Latine) es servir como un sistema de apoyo y fomentar un sentido de pertenencia dentro de Carnegie Mellon University. El grupo se centrará en el desarrollo de comunidad, conciencia multicultural y programación diseñada para promover diversidad, equidad e inclusión en Carnegie Mellon University.

Leadership

Yazmin Peña, Co-Lead

Yazmin Peña (she/her) is a document manager for the Office of International Education. She graduated from Allegheny College with a BS in psychology and minored in Spanish. Yazmin was born and raised in New York City and identifies as Afro-Dominican / Dominican American. As a co-lead for the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance, she hopes to create an inclusive and welcoming environment for Latine CMU community members and allies, as well as bring a fresh perspective to the group. She is passionate about travel, languages, inclusivity, and teaching others about her heritage, and is looking forward to learning and growing in this new role.

Christian Alexis Olmeda, Co-Lead

Christian Alexis Olmeda is the manager of SCS Computing's Communications and Outreach team. He has more than 20 years of experience in technology and audio production. He currently serves as co-chair on the SCS Dean's Staff Advisory Committee. Chris holds an MFA in creative writing and writes in both English and Spanish. Chris was born and raised in Bayamón, Puerto Rico. His love of Puerto Rico and its rich culture inform his work as a writer and ultimately motivated him to help establish our Latine employee resource group, as an inaugural co-lead. His goal is to build meaningful representation and build community through strong relationships between Latine employees and faculty across CMU, for years to come.

Stack of empanadas

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Rangos ballroom filled with attendees seated at banquet tables

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Closeup of attendee at Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Three Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance members posing together

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Food tray display

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Attendees in food line at Hispanic Heritage Month celebration

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Attendees reading PowerPoint display

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Attendees perusing Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance promotional materials

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Group of attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Four Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance members posing together

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on October 4, 2023.

Representatives from the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance talking at ERG table during Spring Carnival

Representatives from the Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance joined CMU's employee resource groups to host a table during Spring Carnival.

Priscilla Morales and Chris Olmeda posing with Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance banner

Co-leads Priscilla Morales and Chris Olmeda pose with the Somos CMU Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance banner during Spring Carnival.

Members of the Latine ERG during a visit to the Latin American Cultural Center

On March 11, 2023, the Latine Faculty & Staff Alliance visited the the Latin American Cultural Center.

Four members of the panel at the February 2, 2023 Latine ERG meeting

On February 2, 2023, the Latine ERG hosted a panel discussion, "The Only Latinos in the Room." Pictured from left to right are Belmary Lorcas, Francisco Molina, Dr. Jose Andre Morales and Gladys Perez Sriprasert.