Introducing Familia
W&M’s Latinx Alumni Association has a new name
September 18, 2024
By
Reyna J. Vazquez ’95
,
Luke Pascual ’20
and
Aili Chatfield-Taylor ’17
“Names are powerful things. They act as an identity marker and a kind of map, locating you in time and geography. More than that, they can be a compass.” — Nicola Yoon, “The Sun Is Also a Star”
The W&M Latinx Alumni Association consists of a diverse group of alumni who identify as Latino/a/e, Hispanic or Indigenous. Since the first Latinx Leadership Circle began in 2020, the W&M Latinx Alumni Association has emerged as a dynamic and influential force within the broader alumni community. It is led by the Latinx Alumni Advisory Board, which works on behalf of our alumni to acknowledge and build on the history and contributions of the Latino/a/e community at William & Mary.
Our commitment to representation has been at the forefront of discussion among Latinx Alumni Advisory Board members over the past year. During this time, we engaged in concerted and passionate dialogue about identity and the concept of “Latinidad.” Ultimately, we agreed that, in order to move forward, we needed to initiate a change in how we identify our organization. After significant research and outreach to our Latinx Alumni Association members, it is with great excitement that we announce the renaming of the William & Mary Latinx Alumni Association to Familia!
The decision to adopt the name Familia resonates deeply with our shared cultural values. In many Hispanic and Latino cultures, family is the cornerstone of our identity and strength. By calling ourselves Familia, we honor this central aspect of our heritage and extend a warm invitation to all members of our community, regardless of their background.
The word “familia” is intentional in its linguistic and cultural significance. “Familia,” meaning family, is shared between both Portuguese and Spanish, the predominant languages of most Hispanic and Latino countries. We recognize, however, that not everyone in our community is connected to their heritage or allyship via language. For this reason, we chose a cognate of English: “Familia” and “family” share a common origin, are spelled and pronounced similarly, and are understood regardless of whether someone speaks the languages that are more common across the countries our members represent.
Lastly, the name Familia aligns with our One Tribe identity at William & Mary. It reinforces the idea that we are all part of a single, cohesive community, working together to support one another and to make a positive impact. Whether you are a recent graduate, a seasoned professional, or a dedicated ally, you are an integral part of our family, our Familia, our Tribe.
Familia. This new name is a powerful reminder that we stand together, united by our shared experiences, values and aspirations. It reaffirms our belief that, together, we will continue building a vibrant, supportive network that celebrates our diversity and fosters connections that will last a lifetime. As we embrace Familia, we also embrace the values and traditions that have shaped us, first as students navigating our way through our years at William & Mary and, now, as alumni who are committed to creating spaces where every member feels welcomed, heard and valued.
Thank you to our dedicated members, and to new or interested members: Welcome to Familia, where we are all One Tribe, One Family.
Familia: William & Mary Latino Alumni Association
Who We Are and What We Do
Our Mission Statement
Familia is a vibrant community that unites individuals connected to or supportive of Hispanic, Latino/a/e and Indigenous/native heritages. As a dedicated alumni organization, we foster a strong bond with our alma mater by collaborating closely with faculty, stakeholders, and Latino/a/e-focused campus groups. We work to acknowledge and build on the history and contributions of our community at William & Mary in order to create a supportive and inclusive environment where members and allies are welcomed, heard and valued.
Our Engagement Opportunities
To date, our vibrant organization has sponsored or co-sponsored several events to encourage alumni engagement and promote the heritage and backgrounds that make us unique. One of our most recent event took place this spring and included a group tour of The Molina Family Latino Gallery’s inaugural exhibition, "¡Presente! A Latino History of the United States" at the Smithsonian’s National History Museum. While there, members of the W&M Latinx Alumni Association participated in a book reading by Pushcart Prize-nominated author and educator Ana Lapera.
Past events have also celebrated Bolivian culture at Casa Kantuta (a pop-up bar in the Adams Morgan neighborhood of Washington, D.C.), honored Hispanic Heritage Month at the Alumni House during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend, or have been co-sponsored in support of other alumni affinity and identity groups, such as the Hulon Willis Association, Crim Dell Association and the Asian-Pacific Islander-Middle Eastern (APIM) Alumni Association. These experiences offer invaluable opportunities for learning and growth and foster a deeper appreciation for our history as well as those of other cultures. They also serve as platforms for networking, professional development and inspiration, allowing us to reconnect and strengthen our ties to our alma mater.
In addition to alumni engagement, Familia is deeply committed to supporting Latino/a/e-focused campus organizations and students. By partnering and engaging with student groups like W&M FGLI (First-Generation, Low-Income Students), the Latin American Student Union (LASU), the Political Latinxs United for Movement and Action in Society (PLUMAS) and La Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha (SIA, the university’s first Latina-oriented greek letter sorority), as well as through our continuous support of the Jorge Alberto Urcuyo Scholarship, we are creating connections to our future alumni, sharing with them our experiences and offering the very guidance and support that many of us did not receive during our time on campus. It is through this continued collaboration that we hope to empower students and create for them a sense of belonging and community following graduation.
One of our proudest collaborations to date has been our sponsorship of Ceremonia Raíces, where students of Latin American descent celebrate their heritage while they prepare to embark on their post-graduation journeys through a “Ceremony of Roots.” It has been an honor for the W&M Latinx Alumni Association to witness this beautiful ceremony and applaud our future alumni for their accomplishments.
Please join us during Homecoming & Reunion Weekend for a special reception celebrating our new name, as well as the Mosiac Reception on Friday night and the Mosiac Tailgate on Saturday.
Reflections from our Advisory Board
Yessenia Arias ’13
Navigating identity within the scope of Latinidad is complex and even more so trying to capture it through language when Latin America itself embodies so many languages/dialects beyond Spanish. In the end, the concept of Familia captures a lot of who we as Latinos are. We are brought together by similarities and also have our moments of tension with each other. Latinidad can be a home away from home, a found family at times, especially when adding the layer of being an immigrant into the mix. As an alum, I can attest to how my Latino identity offered me the opportunity to connect with other Latino/a/e students and allowed me to meet some of my now closest friends while attending W&M. In the midst of finding myself in a new, unfamiliar space, I was able to find a supportive and loving community to dance and laugh with despite the stress. This has only continued through this network of Latino/a/e alumni that has been built from the ground up and hopefully will continue to grow as Familia further expands. Read an article about the Latinx Alumni Association in the W&M Alumni Magazine by Yessenia Arias ’13.
Laura Godwin ’14
Growing up, I was often the only Latina in any given space, so when I arrived in Williamsburg and met three other students in my dorm who also identified at Latina/o, I felt like I belonged. Just knowing I wasn’t the only one was enough for me in college. But now as an alum, I want to ensure students and alumni have access to a community that values their identity, culture and the contribution that we as a collective have made to William & Mary. Being able to give of my time as a member of Familia has been rewarding, as I’ve met incredible people who continue to shape me today. But being chair of Familia’s Philanthropy Committee has allowed me to see how even the smallest gifts make a large impact. Giving back to W&M is a small way I show my appreciation for a time and place that gave me so much. By giving to the Latinx Alumni Fund, I’m a small part of building the community Reyna described in the article, and I want to see this community flourish for all those that come after me. It’s my way of leaving a legacy, even an anonymous one, that hopefully allows the next generation to walk onto campus and know they belong.
Liz Hernandez ’15
As a member of Familia, I reflect on my own journey as a FGLI student who arrived at William & Mary feeling scared and lonely. I was incredibly fortunate to find a mentor — another Latina — who guided me through my time on campus, helped me secure my first job and provided the support I needed. Her presence was a lifeline and made all the difference in my college experience.
Recognizing that not every student has the same chance to find their familia by happenstance, I am honored to work alongside so many other dedicated board members to ensure that future students have a safer and more inclusive space from the start. The transition to the name Familia is more than just a change of title; it represents a profound shift in how we connect and support one another. It reflects a commitment to creating a community where every member can find belonging and encouragement. Through our work, we aim to provide the support and connection that I once sought, making sure that every student feels valued and empowered from their very first day at William & Mary to their journey beyond graduation.
Ellie Kaufman ’13
As a new member of the Familia board this year, I feel incredibly lucky and honored to be a part of an emerging group creating space for Latino/a/e alumni at William & Mary. When I started at W&M, I had a very distant connection to my Latinidad, but, over the course of my four years, studying abroad and pursuing a second major in Hispanic studies allowed me to connect with my heritage in a way that I had not been able to previously. It’s in large part due to William & Mary’s educational opportunities that I was able to pursue this part of my identity, learn more about my own heritage and learn about the diverse community and background that I come from. I found friends at William & Mary who accepted and welcomed me as Latina before I was even ready to do so, and for that I am immensely grateful. This is why I’m so happy to be able to give back in this way to the alumni community now. W&M gave me so much, and I want to be able to create spaces for Latino/a/e alumni to connect even after their educational experiences at the College are over.
Luis Navas ’82, P ’13
In 1978, I started one of the most wonderful experiences of my life by attending William & Mary. My experience was a little different from that of my peers. I came as a foreign student with an F-1 visa. My experience at William & Mary gave me a passion for philanthropy and service to impact students like me. In 2020-2021, I served on the Advisory Board of the Reves Center for International Studies and later was offered the opportunity to provide the seed money for the Jorge Alberto Urcuyo Scholarship (4509) to help Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students at W&M. This was a wonderful opportunity to help students who are going through something similar to what I had lived in the 1980s. Additionally, it was a way to honor the legacy of my wife’s twin brother, Jorge Alberto Urcuyo, who was a 15-year-old volunteer killed during the alphabetization campaign in Nicaragua in 1980. Read more about Luis Navas ’82, P ’13 in the W&M Alumni Magazine.
Kevin Lopez Pelaez ’23
As the newest member of the Familia board, I am deeply honored to join such a distinguished group of individuals who share a passionate commitment to advancing Latino/a/e representation and strengthening our community. My journey at William & Mary was filled with incredibly welcoming experiences, from joining the Latin American Student Union to participating in Ceremonia Raíces. As a FGLI student, William & Mary has empowered me in ways that I could never fully repay. This deep gratitude and the joy I felt from my first day on campus to graduation have fueled my dedication to give back to our community. Our transition to Familia beautifully reflects the interconnectedness that defines William & Mary, and I am truly excited to play a small part in our amazing Tribe.
Reyna J. Vazquez ’95
It is an honor to be part of Familia! What started as a concept during the Latinx Leadership Circle discussions is now a thriving community that has allowed me to reconnect with William & Mary, support current Latino/a/e student organizations and build relationships with alumni who share common experiences. As an undergraduate, I never would have imagined this was possible given the lack of Latino presence on campus. It was by complete chance that I met two other Latina undergraduates (Elisa Jaramillo ’94 and Sonia Macias ’96) during my junior year who shared similar views regarding our lack of community and, together, we founded La Organización de Hispanos Unidos (OHU) — what would ultimately serve as the foundation for future Latino/a/e groups and has since been documented in our University Archives! This has been a full circle journey for me personally and it brings me tremendous joy to know that students with a common heritage as mine not only have a flourishing and supportive community on campus, but will also have one waiting for them upon graduation.