September 2021
Happy National Hispanic Heritage Month! We hope you had a great summer as we are excited to share some updates on what the Board has been working on since our spring newsletter. As UVA students, new and old, were preparing to go to Grounds after a year filled with much uncertainty, we have dedicated the summer to planning for the fall. Keep reading to check out updates and some opportunities for engagement coming up. Saludos!
Strategic Plan Update
The Bolívar Network Board underwent a strategic planning process for the upcoming year with the deep support of UVA’s Organizational Excellence department. Through this multi-day process, the Board has landed on focusing on three priority areas for the upcoming year: fundraising for and disbursing scholarships; building up a mentorship component to the Network; and fostering more connections between alumni, students, and the University. The Board will continue to plan around these focus areas. If you have any ideas or want to volunteer to be on the board for the upcoming year, please reach out.
Upcoming Events
For a full schedule of events, check out our website.
Join your Shenandoah Riverkeeper and the U.S. Forest Service for RioPalooza on Saturday, September 18, 2021, from 12:00-6:00 pm. Come out for a live performance from Mister G, tubing, snorkeling, fishing, and other activities geared to shine a light on the Latino community’s commitment to conservation. Dual-language materials and staff on site.
Fall Blast
Fall Blast is an annual event for prospective Hispanic/Latinx students and their families. This event will be a chance to interact with current Hispanic/Latinx students and learn about all the cultural and student life experiences available at the University. This year, Fall Blast is scheduled for October 1, 2021. If you would like to participate or would like more information, please reach out to our Vice-Chair for Admissions, Jason Puryear.
Come Find Us at YAR!*
As alumni return to Grounds for Young Alumni Reunions, we will be hosting a Bolívar Network / Latin American Identities Coalition (LAIC) YAR mixer on Saturday, October 16, from 5:00-6:00pm. If you’re in Charlottesville that weekend for YAR, we hope you are able to stop by and if you are interested in participating in the planning sessions please reach out to Karla Aguayo, Claudia Bonilla, or Angie Aramayo.
*We are monitoring the evolution of the pandemic and want to keep everyone safe so please note this event is subject to cancellation based on the status of the YAR event due to the delta variant.
The Bolívar Network’s First-Year Scholarship Makes the Fall 2021 VA Magazine
Have you gotten your Fall 2021 UVA Magazine in the mail yet? If so, check out page 65 for a feature of our First-Year Scholarship! A huge thank you to our alumni that made this possible including Jenny Willier Murphy (’89); Hernando Herrera (’89); Alexandra Arriaga (’87); Vice-Chair for Fundraising and Development co-chairs, Gina M. Flores Stumpf (’00), Brian Zuluaga (’20); and Vice-Chair for Scholarships and Awards, Hannah “Mel” Borja (’19).
Book Scholarship Application
The Bolívar Network is awarding $1,000 Book Scholarships to three Latinx students who demonstrate leadership, academic achievement, service, vision, and a dedication to the Latinx/Latin American/Hispanic community. To apply, use this form. Deadline to submit applications is Friday, October 15, 2021, by 11:59pm EST.
If you have any questions about the application and/or selection process, please feel free to contact Jose Diaz-Rivera (’21).
Apply for Bolívar’s Book Scholarship
Pablo J. Davis Award Nomination Form
The Pablo J. Davis Award seeks to identify an individual whose work has contributed significantly to the Hispanic/Latinx community within the boundaries of the Commonwealth of Virginia. If you have any questions about the application and/or selection process, please feel free to contact Hannah “Mel” Borja (’19).
Deadline to submit nominations is Friday, October 1, 2021, by 11:59pm EST.
Submit Your Pablo J. Davis Nominations
Save the Date: The Bolívar Network’s Annual Awards Brunch
Mark your calendars for The Bolívar Network’s Annual Awards Brunch on December 4 at 11:00am EST via Zoom. For a recap of last year’s event, visit the summary on our website. More information to be sent out closer to the date.
Want to get more involved with BN? If you’re interested in joining the Scholarships and Awards committee, please email Mel Borja!
Alumni Spotlights
Please join us in congratulating Alex Cintron (CLAS ’19) for his recent appointment as the Director for Latino Outreach and Political Coordinator for the Terry McAuliffe Campaign. To learn more about Alex, please visit our website.
Do you want to shout out a fellow UVA alumnus? Fill out our Alumni Spotlight form.
Alumni Engagement
The Bolívar Network is continuing to work in strengthening UVA Hispanic/Latinx alumni engagement in ways that acknowledge our presence in the legacy of the University, celebrate our community, and inspire current students to succeed. Please take a few minutes to complete our survey as we continue to plan activities for the Bolívar Network!
Professional Development
Is your company hiring or do you have a job posting that you would like to include in our newsletters and social media? Email us and let us know!