UCA is home to numerous Registered Student Organizations that shine a light on minority groups, one being the Latino Student Association, which focuses on helping and educating students about the different cultures that make up the Latinx community. 

“I enjoy LSA because of the community it has built since I’ve been here at UCA,” LSA President Kevin Ayala said. 

He joined in 2020 and says LSA has given him a new perspective on his heritage. 

“It’s giving me the opportunity to realize how much of my heritage I participated in growing up. I have always been proud of my culture, but LSA has given me the opportunity to express myself in various different settings,” he said. 

LSA is Latino-based but not Latino-exclusive and welcomes students from all backgrounds to join the club. 

The organization was founded in 2012 and encourages involvement throughout the students’ UCA experience, and provides community service to the Latino/Hispanic community, according to the LSA Diversity and Community website. 

Ayala, a senior, says he took a leadership role in LSA to step out of his comfort zone, and it did not disappoint; “I am a completely different person compared to who I was my first semester at UCA.” 

The group aims to “eliminate stereotypes their cultures tend to carry” according to their website, by hosting events and meetings to discuss the various backgrounds that fall under the umbrella of “Latinx” in calm, welcoming environments. 

“My favorite thing that veterans members do is have a conversation with younger students as if they were currently in our shoes. It helps them realize that as students we all have similar struggles. Being able to connect with them helps new students feel inclined to continue showing up knowing they have a group of friends,” Ayala said. 

Enrique Carbone, a public administration and Spanish dual major, joined the group his sophomore year after a friend recommended he look into it. 

He serves as LSA vice president and says the group brought him out of his shell as well.

“I’ve gained so many friendships throughout the years of being involved in the events LSA hosts. Anything from dancing to painting to playing soccer and volleyball,” he said. 

Now a senior, Carbone is reminiscing on his time spent in LSA and credits many positive aspects of his life to the group. 

“Growing up in a Latino household in Arkansas made me have a very mixed experience between both Latino and American cultures, and LSA helped me understand that that is OK,” Carbone said. 

“I found a sense of pride in who I am. Though my background plays a role in who I am, I think LSA helped me realize a bit more about myself and that labels shouldn’t define you. For example, yes I am Latino, and yes I’m American, but do either of these really define who I am, like my interests and other stereotypical ideas of both cultures? No.” 

LSA hosts events throughout the year; anyone is welcome to explore the environment. 

The next event, Bag it Up, will be Oct. 5 from 6-8 p.m. in the Ronnie Williams Student Center room 213. They will have tote bags for participants to paint on and “unleash their inner Picasso.” 

More information about upcoming LSA events can be found on CubConnect and their Instagram, @lsa_uca.