HAA Executive Board Meeting Minutes

January 23, 2012 
 April 2, 2012
July 10, 2012
October 2, 2012
March 4, 2013

Executive Board Officers

2012 - 2013 HACU Alumni Association (HAA) Board of Directors

Name: Fabiana Sofia Perera
HAA Exec Board Position: Chairperson
Internship year(s) and agencies: Department of Veterans Affairs (Summer 2005), Annual Conference Student Scholar (2005), US Agency for International Development (Summer 2009), Annual Conference Student Scholar (2009)
Undergraduate Institution: Northern Michigan University (BA 2005)
Graduate Institution(s): Georgetown University (MA 2010), George Washington University (PhD 2016)
Current occupation: Program Manager, Boston University
Are you currently in school?: Yes, I am pursuing a PhD in comparative politics.
Favorite thing about participating with HAA? Working with other people that are as passionate about HACU and as passionate about giving back as I am.
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Cookie dough

Name: Javier Araujo
HAA Exec Board Position: Treasurer
Internship year(s) and agencies: Environmental Protection Agency-Office of Congressional and Intergovernmental Relations (Summer/Fall 2007)
Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas-BBA Finance
Graduate Institution(s):University of Texas at Brownsville, Texas-Masters in Public Policy and Management
Current occupation: U.S. EPA, Office of Environmental Education, Environmental Education Specialist
Are you currently in school?: No
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience?:Working for the Community Development Block Grant Association in Brownsville, Texas
Favorite thing about participating with HAA?: Mentoring and showing HNIP interns the opportunity to gain full employment with a government agency
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Butter Pecan

Name: Lazaro Sandoval
HAA Exec Board Position: Secretary
Internship year(s) and agencies: USDA Farm Service Agency (Spring 2008), USDA Foreign Agricultural Service (Summer 2009)
Undergraduate Institution: California State University, Fresno
Graduate Institution(s): George Mason University
Current occupation: Analyst with the USDA - Foreign Agricultural Service – Office of Global Analysis
Are you currently in school?: Yes, graduate school
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience? Don’t want to think about it.
Favorite thing about participating with HAA? Making valuable friendships with interns and work colleagues.
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Mint Chocolate Chip

Name: Cesar X. Sanchez
HAA Exec Board Position: Vice-Chair for Community Affairs
Internship year (s) and agencies: US Department of Veteran Affairs (Summer/Fall 2011), Library of Congress (Spring/Summer 2012)
Undergraduate Institution: California State University, Fresno
Graduate Institution(s): California State University, Fresno & The George Washington University
Current Occupation: Staff Assistant at the United States Senate
Are you currently in school?: Yes
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience?: My HACU experience has allowed me to explore the numerous opportunities with the federal sector.
Favorite thing about participating with HAA?: Providing guidance to up-and-coming professionals from across the country 
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Cold Stone's Cheesecake Flavor with cookie dough

Name: Gilda Janeth Cornejo
HAA Exec Board Position: Vice-Chair for Program Affairs
Internship year(s) and agencies: US Department of Veteran Affairs in Columbia, Missouri (Summer 2010)
Undergraduate Institution: University of Texas at San Antonio (May 2006) and Laredo Community College (December 2006)
Graduate Insitution(s): Texas A&M Internation University (December 2011) and The Catholic University of America (currently attending)
Current occupation: US Department of Veterans Affairs, VA Learning University (VALU)-Program Specialist, Leadership Program Administrator
Are you currently in school?: Yes, Catholic University
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience?: Without my HNIP experience I wouldn't have known that there was any other place to work other than Texas. I was able to explore many more options in my life in respect to my career and my true life's aspirations. I was placed in an organization that I knew little of and that I really didn't have a true interest in but now I can't imagine myself not working for this organization.
Favorite thing about participating with HAA?: I get to interact with individuals who share the same thrust for empowering Hispanics and young professionals. I truly believe that with the right attitude and the right tools one person can make a huge difference.
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Cookies n' Cream

Name: Nicole A. Baltazar
Exec Board Position: Vice Chair for Fundraising
Internship year(s) and agencies: Voice of America (Summer/Fall 2009)
Undergraduate Institution: Universidad del Sagrado Corazon (University of Sacred Heart)
Graduate Institution(s): George Washington University-Graduate School of Political Management
Current occupation: Television Producer-Voice of America
Are you currently in school?: Yes
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience?: No in DC. Probably as a freelancer in Puerto Rico
Favorite thing about participating with HAA?: The opportunity of networking with people in my field of interest.
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Chocolate

Name: Josue Barrera
Exec Board Position: Member - At Large
Internship year(s) and agencies: Office of Personnel Management (Fall 2006)
Undergraduate Insitution: Houston Baptist University
Graduate Institution(s): University of Texas at Brownsville
Current occupation: Summit Outreach Coordinator- US Department of State, Bureau of Western Hemisphere Affairs Office of Economic Policy and Summit Coordination
Are you currently in school?: No
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience?: Still looking for a job - just kidding. I always had a strong interest in public service. I'm not sure what this would have looked like, maybe teaching or in local public administration.
Favorite thing about participating with HAA?: What impressed me as an internwas the sense of community and support. You have an immediate network - friends and mentors - to help you develop. The HAA is an extension of this community.
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Cookies and Cream




Name: Carla Garcia
Exec Board Position:
Internship year(s):
Undergraduate Institution:
Graduate Institution(s):
Current occupation:
Are you currently in school?:
Where do you think you would be today without your HNIP experience?:
Favorite thing about participating with HAA?:
Favorite flavor of ice cream: 

 

Name: Ana Manzano
Exec Board Position: HAA Intern Board Memeber 
Internship year(s) and agencies: National Institutes of Health, Clinical Research Center
Undergraduate Institution: Shepard University
Graduate Institution(s): American Public University
Current Occupation: Intern with NIH-CC
Are you currently in school?: Yes
Favorite thing about participating with HNIP?: I have been fortunate to participate in the Hispanic Association for Colleges and Universities National Internship Program, which has given me the opportunity to serve as a Bilingual Medical Interpreter at the National Institutes of Health Clinical Research Center, in Bethesda, Maryland. NIH is the nation’s medical research agency; I work with diverse ethnicities to bridge cultural and linguistic gaps between healthcare professionals and patients with Limited English Proficiency. This experience allows me to explore the practice of medicine,  surgery and exposure to many specialties in clinical research. I hope to continue my studies concentrating in medical oncology/hematology research.
Favorite flavor of ice cream: Lavender ice cream, its delicate and floral taste is perfection on a hot summer day!