Name: Georgette Cartagena
Year: Senior
Age: 21
Major: Interdisciplinary and Social Sciences
Hometown: West Palm Beach, FL
Photo By: Nicholas Kielbasa
Her Campus (HC): When did you first get involved with the Hispanic/Latino Student Union (HLSU)?
Georgette Cartagena (GC): I got involved at the end of my freshman year, because I was a member of LEONES, which is Leaders Empowering Others In Need of Education and Service. At the end of that semester, our president, who was involved with HLSU and became director (of HLSU) later on, had us go through the affiliate process. We became an affiliate of HLSU, which is basically like being a sister organization. HLSU has twelve affiliate organizations right now, which are organizations that represent Hispanic/Latino culture, share it and spread awareness. These are organizations that come to work together on different programming and events or any initiatives that we do as HLSU.
HC: What positions have you held in HLSU?
GC: I worked my way up in HLSU. Starting my sophomore year, I got a committee chair position. I was the Pantoja Scholars chair. I was basically the head of a program that is meant to provide tools for Hispanic Latino high school students to either apply to college or start their transition and make them realize that they have the opportunity to go if they want to. After that, I was the Internal Relations Officer and so my job was to oversee the committee board, which consisted of our eight committee chairs at the time. My job was to make sure that the committee chairs and any of their members had the information that they needed in order to program. Then I went for Director.
HC: What do you want to accomplish as director?
GC: One of my personal goals is to make headway with one of the three goals that were established by the previous director. Since I served under his administration I wanted to see some continuity going into this year. The one thing I would like to work on from last year is getting translated documents at orientation because there are students whose families don’t attend because they just don’t speak English or they don’t have enough orientation leaders who speak Spanish. I want to make progress so that goal will be realized. Even if it’s not realized this year under my administration, I want for next year to be the year where it happens. Fingers crossed that it does! Another thing I want to do is revitalize the Pantoja Scholars, because last year we were unable to bring back the program. I want to make it sustainable where people will be interested and want to continue the organization for next year. It should be a staple of HLSU because we are supposed to serve the community at large and the community on campus.
Photo By; Nicholas Kielbasa
HC: What goals have you already accomplished as director?
GC: One of the goals of the executive board as a whole was to get more people invested in HLSU. One thing that the board has done a really good job of is putting on programming that people who haven’t previously been interested in HLSU or attended any of our events have come to. The [new people] said they enjoyed them, felt included and that they learned something. That’s one of my personal goals. Aside from reaching out to new organizations, I want to make sure at every event we host people are able to take something away from it. We’ve worked with the Black Student Union and Caribbean Student Association this year for an Afro-Latinx event. We are actually planning another event to continue that sort of series called Salsa and Soul in March.
HC: What do you love most about being director?
GC: That’s a really hard question and it’s not because I don’t love being director, but because there’s so many different ways to go about it. For me personally, it has been very challenging being director. As much as I am a leader, I don’t have a very assertive personality. Putting myself in this position and trying to activate the vision that I have hasn’t been hard, but it’s been a learning experience to take on more responsibility and be accountable for my peers, as well. I’ve definitely grown a lot in this position and I really like it.
HC: What do you enjoy most about HLSU?
GC: The people. Our office space in the union, El Centro, is the hub our affiliates work in, use as a storage and hold board meetings. I like seeing the impact that we have on campus through the people that I see in El Centro. We always hear about each other’s events and we have study groups. The familia that we talk about can be seen when you come to El Centro because, chances are, you’ll know someone that is in there and, if not, you can meet people there.
HC: What are your aspirations for the future?
GC: I am planning on applying to Florida Atlantic University for a master’s in Urban Planning and Regional Studies. I’d like to work with nonprofits one day. To be a social and community development planner would be really applicable towards that. I’ve always wanted to help people in general, so I hope to do so.
HC: What would you tell someone who strives to become the leader or director of a group?
GC: Just go all in. Don’t sell yourself short. I do that all the time, and I’m in my position. If you want to get here, just make sure you are confident in your abilities and try not to second-guess yourself. It’s human nature to doubt, but I think having that confidence in yourself goes a long way.
If you want to get involved with the Hispanic Latino Student Union, attend their upcoming general body meeting at 7 p.m. Feb. 23 in Union Rooms 313-315 or visit their website.