• LatinX Forum members at Chapman University table outdoors
  • Latinx Forum 2018
  • Noche de Altares
  • Latinx Forum Members
  • Latinx BBQ
  • 2017 Preview Day
  • First Generation Celebration
Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum

Heritage Month Kickoff

»Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum

Mission Statement

The mission of Chapman University's Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum is to provide support to Latinx students, staff and faculty by developing connections and building a bridge between students, parents, alumni, community organizations and the Chapman community.

Guiding Principles and Goals

  • Embrace the Latinx identity and culture

  • Celebrate, inspire, educate and support diversity throughout Chapman

  • Engage the Chapman family in challenging stereotypes and embracing

  • Guide and assist in the success of the whole student 

Guided by the mission and principles, the Latinx Forum strives to reach the following goals:

  • Develop and maintain a safe space for Latinx students, staff, and faculty at Chapman University.

  • Enhance the campus climate for diversity at Chapman University.

  • Enrich the working environment for Latinx staff and faculty through professional and social networking.

  • Increase the involvement of Latinx Forum members in all levels of university life.

  • Support, host and engage in events/activities that educate, embrace and celebrate the Latinx identity and culture.

  • Develop, nurture and strengthen relationships with Latinx alumni and parents, as well as surrounding community organizations to support diversity and inclusion.

  • Work with the Chapman University administration to increase the representation of Latinx students, alumni, staff, and faculty

  • Work with the Chapman University administration to help retain current Latinx students, staff, and faculty.

  • Provide a broad network of Latinx role models for students.


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Brief History

With the full support and encouragement of the Provost Office, the Chapman University Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum was established in Fall 2015 by Maria Contreras, Associate Director of Admissions Systems and Operations (retired Fall 2017), and Rueben Martinez, Presidential Fellow in the College of Educational Studies. Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum was established as a volunteer organization for employees of Chapman University to provide support to Latinx students, staff and faculty. Maria Contreras and Rueben Martinez, the co-founders, served as the first co-chairs of the Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum until the first official Executive Board elections were held in December 2016.

Former Officers

2020
Dr. Gabriela Castaneda
Assistant Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
Director of Hispanic/Latinx Achievement
President, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
gcastane@chapman.edu 

Dr. Ruben Espinoza
Assistant Professor. Director, Latinx and Latin American Studies 
Vice President, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
respinoza@chapman.edu 

Pia Brancoli
Assistant Vice President of Advancement Operations
Treasurer, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
brancoli@chapman.edu 

Becky Schlafer
Director of Student Business Services
Director of Outreach/Marketing, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
schlafer@chapman.edu 

Justin Cruz
Associate Dean of Admission and Diversity Initiatives
Secretary, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum

2018

Dr. Marisol Arredondo Samson
Director of Institutional Research
President, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
arredond@chapman.edu

Rueben Martinez
Presidential Fellow
Vice President, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
rmartinez@chapman.edu

Linda Padilla Smyth
Director of Real Estate and Property Management
Treasurer, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
padillas@chapman.edu

Dr. Gabriela Castaneda
Assistant Director of Career Services, Argyros School of Business & Economics
Secretary, Latinx Staff and Faculty Forum
gcastane@chapman.edu

Latinx Forum Bylaws