¡Bienvenidos! Bem-vindos!

The Latin American Student Association (LASA) is a group of graduate students interested in analyzing current economic, political and social issues in the region, promoting its culture and enhancing opportunities for future cooperation.

The members of LASA are future leaders from all ethnicities and backgrounds who attend the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) of Columbia University. The association is aimed at fostering constant interaction with academic, private and public organizations interested in Latin American and Latino affairs.

Interested in helping steer LASA into the future? Then you should consider running for the LASA Board!

LASA's mission is the following:

  • Inform the academic community of events that pertain to Latin America
  • Analyze the current political, social and economic situation of Latin America by organizing academic events such as conferences, roundtables and workshops
  • Organize social events to forge closer relationships between people interested in the region
  • Promote Latin American culture both by organizing events and advertising those presented in the New York area
  • Work with local organizations in promoting Latin American and Latino issues
  • Establish closer ties with Columbia University alumni and enhance networking opportunities for students

LASA Board positions and current officers:

President: Maria Eugenia del Castillo( med2143@columbia.edu)
Secretary: Aurora Cardenas (adc2125@columbia.edu)
Treasurer: Julio Mariscal (jem2171@columbia.edu)
Marketing Officer: Ana Carolina Murphy(acm2134@columbia.edu)
Academic Co-Chairs (2): Mario Fernandez (mf2436@columbia.edu) and Daniel Hincapie (dh2335@columbia.edu)
Cultural Co-Chairs (2): Camila Lecaros(cl2578@columbia.edu) and Luz Angela Garcia (lag2132@columbia.edu)
Social Co-Chairs (2): Alison Hare (alh2147@columbia.edu) and Miguel Posada (mp2624@columbia.edu)

Major Responsibilities of the LASA Board:

President:

  1. Represent and speak on behalf of the organization at all official events.
  2. Oversee the operations of the organization.
  3. Provide strategic direction for the organization.
  4. Preside over and call for general meetings as needed, as well as meetings with the officers of the organization.
  5. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Vice President:

  1. Assume duties of the president when the president is unavailable.
  2. Assist the president in program management – coordinating the projects and budget.
  3. Assist the president in providing strategic direction for the organization in its operations and financial planning.
  4. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Secretary:

  1. Distribution of all event notifications, announcements, and correspondence via the LASA listserv.
  2. Administration of the listserv: adding new members, updating contact information, etc.
  3. Recording of Board meetings and activities, where appropriate.
  4. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Treasurer:

  1. Set budget allocations each semester in conjunction with the President and Vice President.
  2. Oversee spending and manage all payments/refunds.
  3. Update the board with the status of the budget periodically and upon request.
  4. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Marketing Officer:

  1. Design marketing materials for all events.
  2. Strategic distribution of materials at Columbia University and throughout the city of New York, including other universities.
  3. Maintain and update LASA website.
  4. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Academic Co-Chairs (2):

  1. Organize the Annual Latin American Conference (Fall semester) with a budget of roughly $10,000.
  2. Organize the Distinguished Speakers series (at least one per semester).
  3. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Cultural Co-Chairs (2):

  1. Organize the weekly Spanish and Portuguese language tables.
  2. Planning other cultural activities of interest such as film festivals, cooking classes, dancing classes, etc.
  3. Raise awareness of Latin American events on- and off-campus.
  4. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Social Co-Chairs (2):

  1. Organize each semester's LASA Party, the main fundraising activity of the organization. (Average revenue: $10,000)
  2. Organize other social activities, including joint events with other student organizations.
  3. Offer assistance and support to fellow board members' projects.

Interested in shaping the work of SIPA's Latin American Student Association?