Celebrating Latine/x Heritage Month

By April Miller, UO Alumni Association assistant director of marketing and communications, and
Sage Kiernan-Sherrow, MA ’21 (journalism), UOAA writer/editor

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The UO Alumni Association recognizes and honors the importance and many contributions of the Latine/x community at the university and around the world. Meet members of the Patos Alumni Network and read stories of Latine/x Ducks making an impact.

Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, Latine/x Heritage Month (nationally designated as Hispanic Heritage Month) is a time to honor the cultures, histories, and traditions of those identifying as Latin American. As we reflect on the many contributions of people from Mexico, the Caribbean, South and Central America, and Spain, the UO Alumni Association honors the unique perspectives and impact of our Latine/x alumni, students, and faculty on the Ducks community. 

While the UO Latine/x student population has increased over time, there is still work to be done to increase representation of the diverse Latine/x population at the UO. Seventeen percent of the class of 2027 and fourteen and a half percent of the total UO student body identifies as Latine/x. Increased resources on campus, including the Latinx studies academic program, Latinx Strategy Group, and Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence are working to create inclusive and supportive spaces for Latine/x UO students to succeed.  Additionally, the UO Alumni Association’s Patos Alumni Network exists to support the nearly 7,000 UO alumni who self-identify as Latine/x. The network celebrates common experiences at the university, and promotes, educates, and celebrates the diversity of Latine/x heritage.   

Diverse cultures, diverse paths

Representing a diversity of backgrounds, experiences, and cultures, it’s no surprise that the UO’s Latine/x alumni have gone on to make an impact in a diversity of fields. From consumer brands, to sports, to education, government and nonprofits, technology, healthcare, and more—Patos are making a difference and paving their own paths forward.

Below are the stories of just a few Latine/x Ducks who are making big waves in their industries. 

Introducing the Patos Alumni Network

The Patos Alumni Network celebrates Latine/x heritage by bringing together the alumni, students, faculty, and staff who identify with or support the diverse communities of Latin American culture. The network seeks to find commonality in and elevate the Ducks experience by promoting, educating, and celebrating Latine/x heritage through community-building events and activities held throughout the year. Many of these activities seek to recruit and retain students, encourage alumni membership, and advocate for Latine/x groups across the university. To be a member of Patos is to be a leader and steward of Ducks pride.

Meet the Patos Steering Committee!

An exciting aspect of the Patos Alumni Network is their new steering committee, a group that is actively making a difference in the Ducks community. You have the opportunity to meet the committee at the second annual Patos Alumni Network tailgate, happening two hours before the Ducks face off against the Golden Bears on November 4, 2023. Come learn about their plans for the future and get to know a few of them before the tailgate by clicking on the profiles below!

The alumni featured below are just six of the seventeen Patos Alumni Network steering committee members. We thank all Patos volunteers for contributing their time and talents to our community. Click here to learn more about the full committee.

Jessica Lloyd, BS ’05 (economics)

Senior Program Manager at Tango, Patos Alumni Network Board Chair

Q: Describe your educational experience and journey to becoming a Duck. 
A: I grew up in very small town in Oregon called Brownsville where, at the time, [my family] was one of two Mexican families in the community, and the others were my cousins. College was an ambition but there was no blueprint. It was more of a statement without a plan of execution of what it would be like.  

I did an incredible amount of outreach and extracurricular activities, got good grades, and received a full diversity building scholarship that I could not turn down. That’s how I became a Duck. 

It was confusing coming to the University of Oregon. I didn't know anyone, and neither my parents nor siblings went to college, so I didn't have a mentor that could give me a leg up. It was hard and everything was new—rural community education doesn't exactly teach you how to study. I was surrounded by a community that was better prepared for this milestone in life. 

Q: What made you want to get involved with the Patos Alumni Network? 
A: Based on my experiences and struggles I faced at the university, I was so happy that Patos reached out. I became involved during an open forum discussion, and then later decided to volunteer as our network’s chair/president.  

I have two children who are growing up as mixed-race and will face a struggle of [whether they should] identify more with [their] Latino side or European side. It's a different kind of inclusive struggle that many are going through. I wanted to continue to educate myself and others, so I can contribute to a more equitable world that allows them to fit in. I feel like Patos is still finding its wings but with more engagement and participation we can really support our Ducks community. 

Q: What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up, and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult? 
A: Growing up, my family had pride for our heritage, but you also could see the distaste from others if you showed too much pride. Pride in our food of course, using our accent with food, but I can definitely see now how my parents tried to 'whitewash' us in ways to make sure we fit the mold that was deemed for success.  

There was no denying we were Mexican. However, my mother was fluent in Spanish and none of her kids were, which speaks volumes to circumstances then [compared to] what they are today. That seemed to be the 'blueprint,' where unconsciously we were probably thinking if you want to be successful, we should act more White.  

Today, I engage all I can, with the foods we eat, music we listen to, and telling stories whenever I can, so we don't lose some cultural roots. Years ago, I started celebrating Día de Los Muertos because I loved the message that it represents, and then others in my family started following. There are so many lost traditions that, frankly, it only takes one to start bringing back.  

At Tango, I have organically started an Employee Resource Group (ERG) by planning events for Hispanic Heritage Month with great success. I've been lending my ears and hands to events such as Latinas in Tech, PODER's leadership summit, Noche Bella with the Latino Network of Oregon, and Fiesta Mexicana—all incredible avenues supporting our Latino community that need support from strong Latino leaders of the University of Oregon. It’s has been a beautiful thing to watch from a professional perspective, but also [a way to] embrace my cultural pride through these events. 

 

Christian Fonseca, BS ’19 (general social science) 

Administrative Professional for University of Oregon Advancement, Patos Alumni Network Events Coordinator  

Q: With the knowledge that heritage includes culture, tradition, region, mythology, and more—what is your heritage?  
A: My heritage is a very Mexican American style of upbringing. I grew up with the luxuries of being an US born citizen, while also considering my Mexican roots. This would influence my life in the traditions and culture that I would surround myself in. Being Mexican American has also meant that my heritage is vast in all the things that make us American and the other cultures that encompass us. I feel very fortunate to be able to have this multicultural experience. 

Q: Tell us about your journey to becoming a Duck! How would you describe your educational experience? 
A: I've been a Ducks fan since I was young! Having grown up in Oregon, I always made it my mission to attend the UO once I graduated high school. Being a first-generation college student, it was no easy task to figure out how to make the "college dream" a reality, but with the support of my parents and through my own determination, I made it work. While at the UO, I enjoyed my experience thoroughly, as I was able to explore many areas of study and take part in a variety of university groups. For me, that was the key to having an enjoyable experience. 

Q: What made you want to get involved with the Patos Alumni Network?  
A: I wanted to help bring awareness to potential UO students, current UO students, and UO alumni that there is a group of people who share similar experiences and heritages, which could form a community of support for everyone who relates. I also wanted to ensure that we could develop this Patos alumni group to a level that would sustain for years to come. 

Q: What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up, and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult?  
A: Family events, festivals, holidays, food, and music are all ways that I've maintained my heritage throughout my life. Now that I'm older, I love to celebrate my heritage with my community and with people who share similar experiences. That's another reason why I'm happy to be a part of the Patos alumni group! 

Q: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? 
A: For me, graduating from the UO with my bachelor's degree has been my biggest accomplishment. It's the culmination of all the hard work that my parents, myself, and my other support people in my life have endured to actualize this dream of mine. In my immediate and extended family on both my mother's and father's sides, I was the first grandchild to receive their bachelor’s degree out of twenty-eight grandchildren. This wasn't just a huge accomplishment for me, but also my entire family. It proves to my younger cousins and family members that getting a four-year degree is possible. 

Humberto Chacon, BA ’87 (psychology)  

Customer Success Management and Business Development at Canopy Wellbeing, Patos Alumni Network Campus Partnership Coordinator 

Q: Tell us about your journey to becoming a Duck! How would you describe your educational experience?  
A: Growing up in a small southern Oregon town, college seemed out of reach. My parents, who are from rural Mexico, never made it past third grade. Education wasn't on our radar. But life had other plans. High school brought us to sunny Florida, though rainy Oregon still tugged at my heart. Then came the PSATs, and suddenly, university brochures flooded in. My thirst for knowledge awakened. Amid the options, Oregon remained my dream. It had the psychology program I wanted, and it was where my heart belonged. Money was tight, but where there's a will, there's a way. Oregon's campus became a place where I grew in unexpected ways. For instance, a psychology class delving into interpersonal problem-solving, full of role-playing, later became a cornerstone for my personal and professional life. Silicon Valley tech firms benefited when I stepped into human resources leadership roles, armed with knowledge about human connection. Life, as it turns out, teaches its lessons in surprising ways. 

Q: What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up, and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult? 
A: Being the only Mexican family in town meant that our culture pretty much centered around our little house by the tracks. In the summer, we would occasionally visit family in the mountains of northern Mexico. Today, I live in San Jose, where there are lots of opportunities to celebrate Mexican and Chicano culture. 

Q: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? 
A: Going from the barrio to the boardroom in Silicon Valley. 

Q: Tell us your plans for the future! 
A: I plan to continue helping people solve personal and professional problems, to feel happier and move forward. 

Zarai Flores Elias, BA ’15 (family and human services)  

Mental Health Therapist  

Q: We understand that neither the word "Hispanic" nor the "Latino/a/x" variations fully encompass the diversity of the Patos group. With that in mind, what word most resonates with you and why?   
A: Being a Latina is core to who I am today. I have so much pride and see so many positive things that I am because of my identity and mine and my family’s country of origin.  

Q: With the knowledge that heritage includes culture, tradition, region, mythology, and more—what is your heritage?  
A: Mexican heritage. I connected to my heritage by connecting to family both past (Día de Los Muertos) and present. A large part of connecting to my family includes making traditional meals—such as tamales—together. This gives me an opportunity to understand more of my vibrant history, tied to the heart of Mexican culture and values.  

Q: What made you want to get involved with the Patos Alumni Network? 
A: I wanted to continue to be a part of a communidad and be a support for other first-generation college students

Q: What do you consider your biggest accomplishment? 
A: Achieving the American Dream (graduating from two amazing colleges, owning a home, raising a family, and giving my children the opportunities I didn’t have growing up).

Q: Tell us your plans for the future!
A: I want to own my own private practice and continue to represent my community. 

Lorena Landeros, BA ’08 (Spanish, ethnic studies)  

Assistant Director for First Year Experience at University of Oregon Lundquist College of Business 

Q: We understand that neither the word "Hispanic" nor the "Latino/a/x" variations fully encompass the diversity of the Patos group. We are seeking to represent you each as individuals. With that in mind, what word most resonates with you and why?   
A: I've always identified as a Latina, even with the popularity of “Latinx.” My family comes from Mexico, I identify as a mujer, and there is power in that. Latina represents me better.

Q: Tell us about your journey to becoming a Duck! How would you describe your educational experience?   
A: The UO was actually my third choice. I considered two other Oregon schools first, primarily because of their proximity to home. I really wanted to get away and learn how to be myself. Thankfully, the UO actually offered the best financial aid package and as a first-generation, low-income student, it was hard to pass up. The UO became my home. I was involved as soon as I could figure out how. I attended the new student retreat through the Office of Multicultural Academic Support (OMAS) (now the Center for Multicultural Academic Excellence) and that exposed me to so much support academically and socially. Coming from a small town where not a lot of people looked like me nor were pushed to succeed academically, I was a little overwhelmed at first, but I eventually found my people. I learned from upperclassmen who dropped knowledge and shared their experiences. Eventually, I became a student leader on campus, getting involved and at times leading organizations like MEChA, Mujeres, Oregon Students of Color Conference, and the ASUO. I was an OMAS student leader that eventually helped put on the new student retreat and a mentor for IMPACT continuing the tradition of helping younger students like those who helped me. After many changes, I graduated in 2008 with a BA in Spanish and ethnic studies (with honors). It was hard and I failed a lot, but I was lucky to have a great group of mujeres who had my back and pushed me to succeed.

Q: What made you want to get involved with the Patos Alumni Network?
A: The Latino population at the UO continues to grow, and I believe we need other ways to support them. I got involved in Patos to have a voice and provide support in a different capacity.

Q: What are some of the ways you engaged with your heritage growing up, and how do you celebrate your heritage now, as an adult?   
A: While the Latino community was small where I'm from, it was mighty. Everyone knew each other and there were so many celebrations. From quinceañeras (including my own) to fiestas, there was always good food and music. Now, as an adult, I work on celebrating my heritage by engaging and growing the community where we can. My kids attend a dual-immersion program, we speak Spanish at home, and we continue to pass on our favorite traditional food to them, as well.

Q: Tell us your plans for the future!   
A: At the UO/Patos, I hope to continue to work toward bettering opportunities for all our students on campus, but especially for our Latino students. Personally, I hope to travel and visit family in Mexico more regularly. 

Carolina Jackson

Recruitment Specialist at University of Oregon Provost's Administrative Service Team

Q: With the knowledge that heritage includes culture, tradition, region, mythology, and more—what is your heritage?   
A: I am half Mexican, half Nicaraguan; my mom is from Mexico and my dad from Nicaragua. I was born in Mexico City and we moved to Managua, Nicaragua when I was six years old, so I grew up in Nicaragua but visited family in Mexico often. I am very proud of my heritage; I love the richness of our culture, our folklore, traditions, music, the resiliency and warmth of our people. I moved to Eugene in 2011 and I make sure that my kids are also proud of their heritage and culture.  

Q: What made you want to get involved with the Patos Alumni Network?  
A: One of our greatest human needs is the need to belong, and that’s part of the reason why I got involved with Patos! I want to help create more community spaces (and take space) where UO alumni, students, faculty, and staff who identify with Latin American culture and heritage can have a community to celebrate the diversity of our heritage and help people see themselves in the university, while breaking barriers and promoting opportunities for other Patos. I love sharing my culture and tradition; I am a true believer that representation matters! I want to help break stereotypes and share the richness of our heritage and traditions. I am very proud of my multicultural background and experiences that allow me to see perspectives that others may not.   

Upcoming Events 

42nd Annual Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead): From the Heart to Our Souls
November 1 & 2
6 p.m.
Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art

MEChA de UO, The Jordan Schnitzer Museum of Art (JSMA), and Adelante Sí invite you to the 42nd annual celebration of Day of the Dead. Join us for a musical performance by Sindy Gutiérrez y Paax K’aay Cuarteto de Cuerdas, and dance by Familia Lara Stephens and Ballet Folklórico Colibrí. Children’s art workshop led by Tonatiuh Yael Hernández Pacheco y Familia.