From chance encounters on the quad to attending networking events on and off campus, community and representation are critical to building community and belonging at American University (AU). The networks and connections established from these interactions and opportunities empower students to succeed both in college and in their future careers and provide a platform for mentorship.

In the spring of 2019, the AU Latino & Hispanic Faculty and Staff Affinity Group (LHFSA) piloted a mentoring program to provide opportunities for Latino and Hispanic students to develop deep professional networks while at AU. Now nearing the launch of its sixth cohort application process, the LHSFA Mentoring program has continued to grow both in scope and in purpose.

“The program focuses on mentorship being a ‘two-way street,’ where both mentors and mentees can reap the benefits of that connection. It's more than just mentorship; it's about creating an environment of empowerment,” says Claudia Blount, who co-chairs the LHFSA affinity group and is an assistant director of admissions and marketing for online programs within the School of International Service (SIS). She has also served as a mentor within the program herself. “Being a mentor has not only given me the opportunity to give back but has also strengthened my own sense of belonging within the AU community. It's a powerful reminder of why I do what I do in higher education.”

“We're not just offering mentorship – we're providing a cultural lifeline. By connecting Latino and Hispanic students with faculty and staff who've walked similar paths and faced similar challenges, we're creating a support system that goes beyond professional development. We're showing these students that ‘sí se puede’ – yes, they can succeed!”

Opportunities for Success

Roger Reyes, SIS/MA ’25, says he came in with no expectations for the program short of wanting to meet another successful Latino/a in the field. For him, the most powerful moment of participating in the mentorship program was receiving mentorship from AU professor Elsie Guerrero. “She showed up in the best way for me,” says Reyes of his mentor. “She’s Mexican and Salvadoran and being able to work with her was the most incredible thing. Having someone as inspiring as her that looks like me was an added highlight.”

Meanwhile, Alessandra Ravelo, SIS/MA ’23, who first participated in the program in 2021 as a mentee says her interest in the mentoring program began from wanting guidance in navigating the many opportunities and resources available at AU and within DC.

Now a communications and development associate at the Center for International Policy, Ravelo says the program “showed me that the Latino community is in so many various industries that there's really no bounds to what one can do. It opened a door to consider other paths and even find more connections.”

Blount celebrates the opportunities student mentees have had to see themselves in a variety of fields, whether by representation or opening more doorways, especially within the field of international affairs. She recognizes the value of bringing the diversity of perspective, thought, and lived experience to the field: “We're not just fostering inclusion; we're cultivating a new generation of Latinx and Hispanic leaders who will bring fresh perspectives to global challenges. This multifaceted approach to mentorship creates an environment where students see themselves represented and valued, which is crucial for true inclusivity.”

The Power of Mentorship

The advice that Ravelo offers future mentees would be to reach out often to your mentor. “They want to hear from you, and you want to hear from them. Make intentional connections and steward them.” 

As someone who has engaged in various mentor and mentee roles throughout his life, Reyes agrees, encouraging both parties to establish the “end goals of the mentorship” early in the process.

As a mentor herself, one of the most impactful moments for Blount was last year when she invited her mentee to co-lead a speaking opportunity sharing their respective life stories at a DC high school with a high migrant population. It was then that Blount realized how far the program’s work extended beyond campus. “I saw the ripple effect of our mentorship program—from faculty and staff to undergraduate and graduate students to high schoolers, we were building a pipeline of Latino and Hispanic excellence.”

Applications for the sixth cohort of the mentorship program will open at the end of the fall semester. See the LHFSA website for more details on the program and when the application opens.