Carnegie Mellon University

Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance

Meetings and Events

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 Infante Peña, Co-Lead

Yazmin Infante 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.

Stephanie Steren-Ruta, Co-Lead

Stephanie Steren-Ruta (she/her/ella) is an advanced manufacturing engineer at the Manufacturing Futures Institute. Raised in Argentina, she moved to the United States at a young age, overcoming the challenge of learning English upon arrival. In college, Stephanie was actively involved in the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers, significantly growing its membership and establishing events that continue to this day, nearly a decade later. Her dedication to volunteer work and pride in her heritage inspire her efforts to benefit the Latine CMU community. She is excited to co-lead this new role, aiming to make a positive impact.

Angelica Perez-Johnston, Member Liaison

Dr. Angelica Perez-Johnston (she/ella) serves as the associate dean for Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at Carnegie Mellon University College of Fine Arts. With more than a decade of work centered on intentional support of marginalized communities through a lens of equity and shared knowledge creation, she was drawn to the Pittsburgh region for its wealth of opportunities, specifically in the advocacy and support of the rapidly growing Latine community. Dr. APJ earned her bachelor's in psychology and master's in mental health from Edinboro University and her doctorate in public administration from West Chester University.

Prior to entering the space of higher education, she served as a treatment team coordinator for at-risk youth involved in the juvenile justice system. Honoring her Chicana, bi-cultural and intersecting identities, she approaches the work of equity through a lens of shared learning and understanding and finding the "entry points" to conversations to increase the understanding of the impacts of equitable practice in higher education.

Group of attendees seated at a banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Group of attendees seated at a banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Group of attendees seated at a banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Room full of attendees seated at banquet tables playing loteria

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Two attendees posing in giant frame with floral border that says Somos CMU, Hispanic Heritage Month

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Four attendees posing in giant frame with floral border that says Somos CMU, Hispanic Heritage Month

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Attendees dancing in pairs

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

12 attendees posing in giant frame with floral border that says Somos CMU, Hispanic Heritage Month

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a Hispanic Heritage Month celebration on September 30, 2024.

Latine ERG members seated at a picnic table enjoying a potluck meal

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance held a potluck picnic at Schenley Park on August 10, 2024.

Picnic attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Welcome table with Latine ERG banner and party favors

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Two picnic attendees at buffet

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Picnic attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Picnic attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Picnic attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Picnic attendees seated at banquet table

The Latine Faculty and Staff Alliance hosted a picnic on June 12, 2024.

Latine lead at a table at Carnival

The employee resource groups hosted a table at the 2024 Spring Carnival.