Latinx PMP/Mentors

Hometown

Orange, NJ

Background

Ecuador! Manabi, Puerto Viejo got the best ceviche. Don't @ me

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Architecture

Major/Interests
<p>Architecture, Smart Environments, Research (you need help getting into some I got you)</p>

Favorite Food

Por Supuesto Ceviche, but also Mangu con los tres golpes &Pupsas (raised with Dominicans and Salvadoreños so gotta rep)

Hobbies

Powerlifting(you need a coach or partner I got you; also ask me about the Barbell Club), Art, and Cooking

Fun Fact

I promise I'm more flexible then you

Hometown

Martinsville, VA

Background

Salvadoran

Familia

Magdalena Ferran

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Undecided</p>

Favorite Food

Tostadas!!

Hobbies

I like hanging out with my friends, watching funny movies, acting on impulse, and sleeping in (a lot). I'm involved with College Mentors for Kids and Madison House Tutoring because I love working with kids! I'm also in PLUMAS and Dreamers on Grounds.

Fun Fact

I'm a super picky eater. I've never eaten a carrot.

Hometown

Alexandria, VA

Background

Argentine/Libyan/Polish

Familia

Magdalena Ferran

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Global Public Health Major, Spanish Minor. Pre-Med.</p>

Favorite Food

Brisket, Libyan pasta, paella, watermelon, candy, etc etc always down for good food

Hobbies

Tennis, Madison House Medical Services, Outreach Student Admissions Committee (trying to increase diversity in new UVa classes), National Spanish Honor Society, Delta Zeta Sorority

Fun Fact

I love, love traveling and have family on 4 continents. (10/10 would recommend UVa in Valencia, Spain - best experience ever)

Hometown

Culpeper, Virginia

Background

Mexican

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Politics/History</p>

Favorite Food

Pasta

Hobbies

Volunteering

Fun Fact

I have a German Shepard named Athena!

Hometown

Fairfax, Va

Background

Bolivian and Indian

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy

Major/Interests
<p>Public Policy and Latin American Studies</p>

Favorite Food

Sushi

Hobbies

Watching HGTV, Promoting equality, Kazaxe

Fun Fact

I have family on 5 continents

Hometown

Dallas

Background

Hispanic

Familia

Magdalena Ferran

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Neurobiology (Pre-Med)</p>

Favorite Food

Any type of Mexican food

Hobbies

I like to watch movies and read books. But I also love been outdoors and lately have gotten into weightlifting.

Fun Fact

I have worked in a hospital before and have had the opportunity to witness an amputation.

Hometown

Long Island, NY

Background

Argentina/Italy

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Engineering and Applied Science

Major/Interests
<p>Biomedical Engineering - Medicine</p>

Favorite Food

Burrito with Valentina properly applied

Hobbies

Biking, hiking, weight lifting, and research

Fun Fact

I love to freestyle rap

Hometown

Manassas, VA

Background

Salvadoran and Guatemalan

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
Curry School of Education

Major/Interests
<p>Youth &amp; Social Innovation and Anthropology</p>

Favorite Food

I love my Abuelita Linda's pupusas de frijol con queso and my mami's enchiladas.

Hobbies

I am a Career Peer Educator in the Career Center, Meriwether Lewis Fellow (ask me about the 2nd year program please!), Resident Advisor at the International Residential College (let me know if you want to see the IRC anytime!), and am a member of Sigma Lambda Upsilon/ Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Incorporated. I love all of my involvements at UVA and would be happy to talk about them with anyone at anytime! In my free time, I enjoy listening to music (classical, bachata, merengue, etc.), dancing ZUMBA, running, and getting freebies around grounds from cool events! I also love exploring grounds and finding new study spaces.

Fun Fact

I played the violin for 8 years and my violin's name is Melody. <3

Hometown

Houston

Background

My parents are both from Mexico, but I was born and raised in Houston. My first language was Spanish growing up.

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>I am currently majoring in Economics, but I started off my first year in the E-school. I also enjoy reading up on current political events, but I am not majoring/minoring in politics.</p>

Favorite Food

Chicken Flautas!

Hobbies

I enjoy playing video games, watching anime, and taking naps.

Fun Fact

My favorite celebrity is Gordon Ramsay, but I suck at cooking

Hometown

Queen, New York

Background

Afro-Arab (Egyptian)

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Political and Social Thought with a minor in African American Studies</p>

Favorite Food

Anything with popping flavor

Hobbies

Slam Poetry, Social Engagement, activism & organizing, theatre, Wakanda 5ever, reading ALL the books, fighting the patriarchy, destroying white supremacy, music, and cooking with friends!

Fun Fact

Most figure skaters start when they’re small children , I’m learning to skate at the ripe age of 21 lol.

Hometown

Elizabeth, NJ

Background

Dominican

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Linguistics, Anthropology, Speech Pathology</p>

Favorite Food

Are we talking dessert orrrr ?

Hobbies

Dancing, Cooking, listening to music

Fun Fact

I am unintentionally funny.... ha

Hometown

Eastern Shore, VA

Background

Mexican

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Sociology major and government minor</p>

Favorite Food

Pozole

Hobbies

Soccer

Fun Fact

I have never been on a plane

Hometown

Arlington

Background

El Salvadoran

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Biology/Pre-Med</p>

Favorite Food

Falafel

Hobbies

Working out, sports, travel, basketball, music

Fun Fact

I play guitar in a band and I know how to read Hebrew

Hometown

Melfa, VA but born in Garden City, KS

Background

Mexican

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Biology Major (Pre-Med) with a Spanish Minor</p>

Favorite Food

Shrimp Alfredo

Hobbies

Historian of DHW Pre-Medical Honor Society, a ULINK advisor, research assistant/independent researcher at the Kerur Lab, a mentor for the Leadership, Advancement and Development of our Young Sisters (LADYS) Program. I like to exercise, watch Netflix, and play golf.

Fun Fact

I was a ballerina for 8 years

Hometown

Monterrey, Mexico

Background

Mexican

Familia

Magdalena Ferran

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Pre-Comm, Business Administration</p>

Favorite Food

Tacos de barbacoa

Hobbies

Salsa club and secretary, IM soccer, love to paint acrylic paintings, LSA community outreach chair, I love watching stand up comedy

Fun Fact

I met Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor

Hometown

Lynchburg, VA

Background

Mexicana/Chicana/Latina

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
Sociology and American Studies - Race and Ethnicity

Favorite Food

Mango con Tajín (or really anything with Tajín), pasta, Channa Masala & naan from Milan, pancakes, mangonadas, platanos maduros, popcorn con Valentina, veggie burritos

Hobbies

Find me spending all my money on food, having endless arguments with other Latinx friends that popote is how you say straw in Spanish (not pitillo, pajilla, or sorbete?? jk ik there's different ways of saying it lol), being part of the exec board for PLUMAS and DREAMers On Grounds, making you El Jefe at Roots, interning with the Office of Admission Outreach Program, getting roasted on the daily because I'm a Mexican that is vegan, replaying Cardi B say okurrrrr, and cooking meals that don't require a lot of time and effort

Fun Fact

I did karate and jiu jitsu for 6 years but I'm useless now since I have forgotten everything and have no upper strength anymore

Hometown

Fairfax, Virginia

Background

Honduran!

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Chinese and Global Development Studies</p>

Favorite Food

Baleadas, hands down.

Hobbies

At UVA, I'm involved with Chi Alpha Christian fellowship, VISAS, Global Greeters, and the International Residential College. As for hobbies, I enjoy writing and watercolor painting, and I'm a really big reader! Hit me up on Goodreads.

Fun Fact

I'm a language fiend - I've studied Chinese, Arabic, Korean, and this year I'm beginning my study of ASL!

Hometown

I now live in Springfield but Arlington will always be my hometown.

Background

Boliviana y Salvadoreña

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Chemistry with Specialization in Biochemistry, Global Studies in Education</p>

Favorite Food

pupusas or anything pasta

Hobbies

running, dancing, boxing, making smoothies and playlists, art, activism, DREAMers on Grounds, LSA, PMP, Health Unbound, HooThinks

Fun Fact

I impulsively adopted a kitten my second year and hid him in my friend's dorm room.

Hometown

Falls Church, VA

Background

Bolivian

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>History and Spanish</p>

Favorite Food

Hamburger

Hobbies

Soccer, being outdoors

Fun Fact

Exactly half my life was spent here and the other half in Bolivia

Hometown

Bristow, VA

Background

El Salvador

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Biology/ Psychology</p>

Favorite Food

Hard question... basically any breakfast food.

Hobbies

Watching and playing sports including soccer and basketball. Also enjoy going to the gym, hanging out with friends, watching movies, and eating!

Fun Fact

I'm right-handed, left -footed.

Hometown

Arlington, VA

Background

Bolivian

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>I&#39;m going to apply to McIntire so hopefully that works out, otherwise I&#39;m probably going to do Econ lol. I also really like French so I think I want to minor in it, but I&#39;m also really indecisive so let&#39;s see what really happens.</p>

Favorite Food

Chicken Tenders all the way. With honey mustard of course.

Hobbies

I enjoy hanging out with friends a lot, we don't even have to be doing anything in particular just hanging out and talking is always fun. I also really like watching hockey (Go CAPS!!). Oh if you know what Mandela Effects are, I really enjoy those. Listening to music is always a good time too.

Fun Fact

I ran into Ian Harding (aka Ezra from PLL) at the airport.

Hometown

Yonkers, NY

Background

Dominican

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
Cognitive Science

Favorite Food

Frito con Salami

Hobbies

Watching Netflix and Dogs

Fun Fact

I love dogs!

Hometown

Falls Church/ Arlington , Virginia

Background

Bolivian

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Computer Science , interest in Artificial Intelligence</p>

Favorite Food

Hispanic food ! And Chinese food and the occasional good pizza.

Hobbies

Playing and watching Soccer , FIFA , hanging out with friends, going out , hitting Biltmore at around 8 on a Thursday afternoon.

Fun Fact

I’ve met A bunch of professional soccer players like Neymar and Suarez, oh and yeah Im a lefty

Hometown

Manassas, VA

Background

I am half Mexican and half Guatemalan!

Familia

Maria-Emilia Proano

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>I&#39;m an undecided major planning on transferring the School or Architecture...maybe. I am also looking into Environmental Science, Global Security and Justice, or Public Policy.</p>

Favorite Food

Menudo y enchiladas y horchata y tacos y pupusas y mac and cheese are just a few ;) Also i love all sorts of asian food as well!

Hobbies

Latinx Student Alliance (LSA), Madison House volunteering!, Peer Mentoring Program (PMP), Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority, Inc., Women's Rugby I also enjoy painting, DIY-ing, thrifting, documentary-watching, and eating other people's cooking

Fun Fact

I want to (and will!) roadtrip the country and explore the world's treasures :)

Hometown

Callao, Peru

Background

Peruvian :)

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Computer Science and Chinese</p>

Favorite Food

carne asada, dumplings, pupusas, basically any food :)

Hobbies

Learning languages, baking, volunteering, HackCville

Fun Fact

At one point, I knew 100 digits of pi :)

Hometown

Havana, Cuba / Tampa, Florida

Background

Cuban and Hebrew

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Foreign Affairs and Psychology double major</p>

Favorite Food

Seafood

Hobbies

Outdoors Club, Hillel, Green Grounds, MSC, music, soccer, basketball, movies

Fun Fact

At the moment as I’m writing this, there is a big ole lizard in my living room and I don’t know how to get it out

Hometown

Falls Church, VA

Background

Bolivian

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Spanish and Elementary Education</p>

Favorite Food

Silpancho, empanadas, pizza

Hobbies

My hobbies include reading, sleeping, and volunteering. Some of the activities I'm involved in at UVa are the Human-Animal Support Services, LADYS, and LSA.

Fun Fact

I once owned 25 baby chicks

Hometown

Purcellville, VA

Background

Ecuadorian

Familia

Magdalena Ferran

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Global Public Health major (may double major with Anthropology)</p>

Favorite Food

Encocado (This is an Ecuadorian dish from the coast, and let me tell you, it is to die for).

Hobbies

Netflix (favorite show is Jane the Virgin and I am team Rafael), Volleyball, Traveling, and Dancing (especially Salsa).

Fun Fact

Jane Lynch (the cheerleading coach in Glee) once tapped my shoulder and asked to borrow my charger in the LAX airport.

Hometown

Martinsville, VA

Background

Mexican

Familia

Frank Valdez

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Biology; Pre-Dental</p>

Favorite Food

Mac & Cheese

Hobbies

Outside of being the Community Outreach Co-Chair for DREAMers on Grounds, you can find me giving historical and admissions tours around grounds throughout the week through the University Guide Service. When I'm not eating, sleeping, or studying, you can find me running (gotta get those steps in) to the nearest shopping center for some retail therapy or collecting memes for my extensive meme album (if you're lucky I might (might) share it with you)

Fun Fact

For the 8th grade talent show, I moved my pecs (like The Rock) to the beat of Axel F/The Crazy Frog song (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k85mRPqvMbE) and I got suspended. #FThePatriarchy

Hometown

Purcellville, VA

Background

Mexican-American

Familia

Jennifer Flores

School
School of Architecture

Major/Interests
<p>Major in architecture and potential minor in psych!</p>

Favorite Food

Thai food :)

Hobbies

I love playing and coaching soccer, but in general I like getting out and doing some type of sport/activity! I'm the webmaster for PLUMAS so I am a radical person passionate about social justice. I'm also a big foodie and always down to try different restaurants all over cville!

Fun Fact

I spent a month in China this summer!

Hometown

Woodbridge, VA

Background

Bolivian and Spaniard

Familia

Magdalena Ferran

School
School of Arts & Sciences

Major/Interests
<p>Foreign Affairs Major and French Minor</p>

Favorite Food

Miso Salmon

Hobbies

Here on grounds, I am involved in IRO, UDems, LADYS Program Cville, and my latina-based sorority Sigma Lambda Upsilon/Señoritas Latinas Unidas Sorority Inc. I love watching and playing soccer. I'm not that good at dancing but I do it anyway!

Fun Fact

I've visited 15 countries and want to have at least been to 10 more by the age of 25, so 5 years more to go!