June 2022
Before we go into this edition of our quarterly newsletter, we wanted to take a moment to remember the lives lost during the devastating school shooting at Robb Elementary School. Our community in and outside of Uvalde is still in mourning, and we send our thoughts and prayers to all those impacted by gun violence.
In this newsletter, we wanted to share some updates from the spring semester as well as some upcoming opportunities for engagement. First, we wanted to congratulate all of the Class of 2022 graduates! Completing the last three years during these difficult times is no easy feat, and we want to applaud all the graduates for the additional work it took. As you tackle the next chapter of your life, we want to welcome you to the Bolívar Network! We hope our brief video at Despedida expressed that sentiment.
Scholarships and Awards
2022 First-Year Scholarship Recipient
Our First-Year Scholarship Committee is proud to announce that they have chosen Zachary Rios of Leesburg, Virginia as the 2022 Award Recipient! Zachary Rios is a talented math student, guitarist, and athlete. He plans to study Physics and Mathematics. He will start at the University in the Fall of 2022.The First-Year Scholarship was originally created in 2009 under the leadership of Hernando Herrera (ʼ89) and Jenny Willier Murphy (ʼ89) during their time on The Bolívar Network’s Board and with a generous donation from Alexandria Arriaga (ʼ87). The current award amount is $1000. If you would like to contribute to the First-Year Scholarship or to other initiatives and awards from The Bolívar Network please consider donating online.
Contribute to the First-Year Scholarship
Save the Date
Please mark your calendars for the Annual Bolívar Network Awards Brunch December 3, 2022, at 11am ET. More details to come later in the year.
Opportunities for Engagement
Alumni Encuentros
In May, thanks to the support of the UVA Office of Engagement, Latino UVA alumni based in New York City met for an intimate dinner of conversation, laughter, and good food. We look forward to hosting more location-based gatherings of Hispanic/Latinx UVA alumni in different cities including Richmond and Washington, DC. If you are interested in helping us host events, please let us know by sending an email to TheBolivarNetwork@gmail.com.
Mentorship Opportunities
The Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) at the School of Education & Human Development (EHD) is launching a BIPOC mentoring program called ‘Hoos PrePAIRED.’ This program will consist of matching alumni (graduates of EHD and beyond) with current EHD students. Mentor/mentee pairs will commit to meeting monthly (either in-person or on Zoom) over the course of an academic year, facilitated by prompts and mentorship materials provided by the Office of DEI.
As a part of this program, the Office of DEI will host two (2) events, one in the fall and one in the spring, to offer an opportunity for further in-person connection. The fall program is a half-day BIPOC Alumni Summit, tentatively scheduled for Friday, November 11 from 9:00am to 1:00pm in EHD’s Bavaro Hall on UVA’s Grounds. The summit will consist of a networking breakfast, a mentoring round robin with current students, and a TED Talk-style lunch and learn.
If you are interested in this program, please fill out this survey. If you have any questions about Hoos PrePAIRED, please contact Alexis M. Johnson, Inclusive Excellence Graduate Intern for the Office of DEI.
The window for this year’s McIntire Alumni Mentoring Program (MAM) is now open. Through MAM, incoming McIntire students will be paired 1:1 with an alumni mentor who can provide advice, guidance, and support as the students embark on their journey at McIntire and continue to explore their future career paths. The mentor program will run from July through December so that mentors and mentees can connect over the summer to establish a relationship before the fall semester begins.
If you are interested in serving as an alumni mentor, please complete the survey found at the link below by Wednesday, July 6, so we can gather the information we need for the matching process.
Additionally, if you plan to participate in the program, please save the date for a Mentor Orientation session on Wednesday, July 20, at 12:00 – 12:45 PM ET. During this session, we’ll provide a brief overview of the program as well as tips and tools for making the most of your time with your mentee. This session will be recorded for anyone who is unable to join live. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact Megan Hoffman.
Spring Blast
In April, the Bolívar Network partnered with multiple student organizations to connect alumni with both prospective and current students. These activities included welcoming Hispanic/Latinx admitted students to Grounds for Spring Blast – an event that has been occurring since 2019. The day was filled with learning and connection. This spring, the Bolívar Network also partnered with the Afro-Latinx Student Organization (ALSO) and Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA) for virtual panels.
Recordings for each panel can be found using the following links:
- Afro-Latinx Student Organization (ALSO) virtual panel
- Student Organization for Caribbean Awareness (SOCA) virtual panel
25th Anniversary!
This year we are celebrating the Bolívar Network’s 25th Anniversary! To continue to support scholarships, community, and connection with the University, we have set a $25,000 fundraising goal before the end of this calendar year.