One Year of Communidad by Francesgladys Pulido

fpulido2015 — 2025-09-29 15:50:11 UTC

What has been the most meaningful moment for you in this first year of the Collective?
How has being part of this space supported or affirmed you as a Latinx/a/o professional (or ally)?
What conversations or connections have left a lasting impression on you?
In what ways has the Collective lived into its mission of support, amplification, and inclusion?
What have you learned about yourself or your professional practice through this community?

fpulido2015 — 2025-09-29 15:51:07 UTC

6. What is one word that captures your experience of the Collective this past year?
7. Who in the Collective has inspired you, and why?
8. Share a highlight where you felt our values of unity, comunidad, or uplift shine through.
9. What has surprised you most about the Collective in its first year?
10. How have you seen the Collective impact the broader fraternity/sorority profession?

fpulido2015 — 2025-09-29 15:51:38 UTC

11. What do you hope to see in the next year of the Collective?
12. How can we continue to better amplify and support Latinx/a/o professionals and their work?
13. What opportunities should the Collective create or expand in year two?
14. What role do you see yourself playing in shaping the next year of our comunidad?
15. Imagine the Collective five years from now—what impact would you love to see it making?

2025-09-29 16:38:01 UTC

The most meaningful moment for me as a member of the Collective has been the opportunity to be unapologetically me - there's something to be said about being in a space where you are with others who understand you and are like you (for example, I can speak Spanglish and don't get looked at sideways). It has truly become one of my favorite things to participate in monthly. I've really appreciated how willing we've been to be vulnerable in this space too. And I love that we shout each other out, create opportunities for one another, and learn from one another. This space is so so good for my soul!

2025-09-29 16:39:31 UTC

Having Cafecito has definitely made me feel seen in this field. We don't normally see people like us dominating in these spaces of higher education and having a community of people makes these field feel a little less isolated. I've been able to be loud without being told I am too much. You all get me, you see me and I am so grateful for that. I have been able to learn that we need to take up space and share that with others. I have y'alls support in doing that and that means so much!

2025-09-29 16:41:35 UTC

Meaningful parts of the collective has been having the WhatsApp chat and having information being sent about upcoming deadlines, awards, and any connection opportunities. I think being able to utilize that more would be really helpful (I could be better at using it)

Additional just being in community with everyone has been helpful. Having seasoned professional provide their expertise when as a new professional it has been hard as been really refreshing for me.

fpulido2015 — 2025-09-29 16:42:04 UTC

2025-09-29 16:42:47 UTC

I'm hoping to be involved a bit more this year. I love what this community stands for and how it brings us all together. I hope that in 5 years, the community is bigger and doing more. I hope our community can be seen and take up space like we should!

2025-09-29 16:43:04 UTC

What has surprised me most about the collective is the sheer feeling of 'we are in this together, for each other.' Many community spaces can be superficial and merely check a box. Guillermo and Francesgladys have been intentional about making this space feel like we are on Abuela/Abuelo's couch, just catching up about our days, and that our work and presence are needed in this functional area, but the entire field of higher education.

2025-09-29 16:43:40 UTC

One word to describe the Collective: empowering! I've been inspired by Francesgladys and Guillermo a lot - your passion for this space and your dedication to making this a great experience is appreciated! I also really appreciate Keith Garcia's insight and Cristina Luna's ability to express love. When we have conversations, we emulate unity, comunidad, and uplift - and I think my biggest surprise has been that we've let each other go there so quickly. I think this space helps us be empowered in a way that allows us to be seen in the broader profession. I look forward to seeing how we continue to amplify our voices within the Association!

2025-09-29 16:45:17 UTC

Being a part of this space has reminded me that our community belongs at the table, deserves to lead at the table, and deserves to take up space. I don't think I see many communities of color leading Greek Life initiatives so it is so heart warming knowing we are doing the work, we are the leaders, and can support each other along the way.

2025-09-29 16:46:38 UTC

11 - I would love for this space to serve as a springboard or strategic group that can offer diverse insights to the field. Our perspective is incredibly valuable, especially in these times. Folks like us often look to help others rather than set ourselves up to grow and progress. Taking that next step as partners in this field can be incredibly fruitful. Let's write a book y'all!

2025-09-29 16:48:31 UTC

14 - I would love to continue to support or step up in any way that the Collective needs me to!

2025-09-29 22:13:04 UTC

In the next year, I'd love to see us continue to increase the number of participants in the Collective. Additionally, I'd love for us to find ways to develop the talent within the Collective, increase the retention of those who identify as Latinx/a/o in the industry (and as Association members), and understand how we can champion positive social change within the Association and industry. During awards, Annual Meeting call for programs, Volunteeer call for involvement, and election time, how do we strategically create opportunities for members of the Collective to be nominated and/or empower people to self-nominate? And how do we also take time to educate the greater AFA membership about the Latinx/a/o experience? I'm happy to mentor, cheerlead, serve as a thought partner, or answer questions. I want this collective to be a place where members identifying as Latinx/a/o feel like it's their home within their Association home - I want people to feel empowered and amplified within the Association and let go of imposter syndrome to lead. I also want us to advance the talent development aspects of the Association.