Before the snow covered DU’s campus, the Latine community joined together for a partnered event between the Latine Student Alliance (LSA) and the Association of Latino Professionals For America (ALPFA). On Thursday, Feb. 1, the two student organizations hosted the Pathways to Success Symposium where students were able to connect with professionals across various fields. This is one of many professional development and panelist events that ALPFA has hosted since its start in the fall of 2022. For LSA, this is the start of many future professional events.
Professionals from the legal realm, non-profits and DU’s very own faculty took center stage to share their journeys and advice. The event was a culmination of two months’ worth of planning to ensure members got the most out of their time.
As opposed to the traditional Q&A style where panelists sit at the front and the audience asks questions, the symposium followed a “speed paneling” approach. Influenced by speed dating, panelists sat at one table and attendees were able to approach whichever panelist they were interested in connecting with, rotating every few minutes. Speed paneling is one of ALPFA’s favorite styles for panels and networking, as it provides an intimate and more personal connection.
Panelists included Kristin Ladd from the Office of the Alternate Defense Counsel, Jennifer Arreola from the non-profit organization COLOR Latina, DU alumni Jillian Martinez class of 2018 from Ernst Young and Marisol Jara-Amparan class of 2023 from KPMG. DU’s very own faculty, Professor Jesse Acevedo, Linda Quintanar and Alicia Lucero were also featured panelists.
Marisol Jara-Amparan graduated from Daniels College of Business in August 2023 with a master’s in accounting. Jara-Amparan was also the founding president of ALPFA’s DU Chapter. The Pathways to Success Symposium is the first ALPFA DU event she has participated in as a professional.
“It was a real full-circle moment for me. Being on the other side of the conversation where I can offer insight and advice as a speaker was surreal, but I’m always happy to come back. ALPFA DU will always have a special place in my heart,” Jara-Amparan said. “For the students, I hope the event inspired them to take on mentorships and take up space in all the different industries we as Latinos are in. Stay motivated and empowered, there’s a community out there waiting to support each other.”
To stay up to date with upcoming events from both organizations, be sure to follow LSA and ALPFA’s Instagram and check out their crimson connect pages.
