San Francisco & San Diego Sept. 4, 2007

Welcome to the Systemwide Director of the Latino/a Achievement Initiatives Ms. Guadalupe Corona, who joined Alliant International University on July 16, 2007.

Guadalupe R. Corona Systemwide Director for Latino/a Initiatives ¡Adelante con Alliant!

For the last ten years, Ms. Corona has been employed by the University of San Diego (USD). She served most recently as Director of the United Front Multicultural Center in the Division of Student Affairs and expects to receive her EdD in Leadership studies from USD in December. Her masters' degree was in leadership with a thesis topic “Soulful Chicana Voices in Leadership”. She earned her BA in Mexican American Studies with a minor in Women's Studies at San Diego State University.

“My parents instilled the values of work ethic, cultural pride, and social justice in me. That’s part of the reasons I continue to pursue my education,” said Ms. Corona.

Ms. Corona brings a wealth of experience in Latino-related community activities in the San Diego community. She has served on the Board of Directors of a number of community organizations including the Latina/Latino & Indigenous Peoples Unity Coalition, the Community Housing Works, the Chief of Police Latino Advisory Committee, the Centro Cultural de la Raza, the National Latino Research Center, VivaHollywood.com, etc. She has earned numerous honors and award in the San Diego community including, among many others, the Cesar E. Chavez Social Justice Award, the Willie C. Velasquez Community Service Award, the Award for Community Activism, and Union Bank’s Local Heroes Awards.

Ms. Corona has been involved in multicultural initiatives since high school, where she formed a multicultural group with representatives from different backgrounds. “Ever since high school I have enjoyed working with diversity,” said Ms. Corona. “For some reason, it’s just been a natural step for me wherever I’ve gone.  I feel that’s how we build a more diverse and inclusive community.”

Here at Alliant, Ms. Corona will be responsible for working with undergraduate and graduate programs to increase our Latino/a student enrollments, implementing the Latino/a Achievement Group strategic plan, facilitating communication among the Latino/a students and faculty and seeking external funding for these programs. She will report to Dr. Kumea Shorter-Gooden, Systemwide I-MERIT Director.

“I see Alliant as a university that will provide a model for other institutions to follow to be consistent with inclusive multicultural communities as well as outreaching to the fastest-growing community in the United States: the Latino community,” said Ms. Corona. “Our efforts are aimed at producing alumni that are leading experts in their field, whether in the global context or local contest. They will have the skills to effectively integrate their academic and cultural competency skills in the workforce.”

Thank you to the members of the Search Committee: Dr. Eduardo Morales, Chair, Dr. Ilya Adler, Dr. Craig Brewer, Ms. Franchesca Garagorri, and Dr. Jason Platt.

Welcome, Ms. Corona!