2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Speaker Biographies
Jhoanna Vega-Rocha
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Keynote Speaker
Jhoanna Vega-Rocha is the Assistant Director for the Office of Diversity and Inclusion (ODI). She oversees, ODI Scholars, for historically marginalized students and coordinates programs centering First-Gen and Latinx identities. She also advises several student organizations, including the Latinx Caucus.
Jhoanna is a proud first-generation college graduate and she graduated from Bradley University in 2017 with a Bachelor of Art in Sociology. She is currently completing a Masters of Arts in Clinical Mental Health Counseling. She strongly believes that if it were not for the ODI and her campus involvement as an undergraduate student, she would not have graduated from Bradley.
In her experience, obtaining her degree and continuing on her path was the only way she could uplift her family and ensure that their sacrifices were worth it. In her position and on a personal level, she hopes to encourage students to achieve their dreams and reassure them that they have earned their place in the spaces they are in.
Erik Bustamante
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
Erik Bustamante is a student at Bradley University studying sports communication major with a minor in journalism. He's the Secretary and Treasurer of Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
Jocelyn Santos
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
Jocelyn Santos is a first-generation senior attending Bradley University. Jocelyn is currently involved with a Co-ed Latino Fraternity named Alpha Psi Lambda National, Inc.
She is very passionate about working with others, networking outside of the university, and teaching others, which is why she is the current External Vice President and Associate Member Educator of the organization.
Jocelyn is double majoring in Criminology and Social Work, where she hopes to use those leadership skills in the organization to help juveniles and their families. After graduation, Jocelyn is excited to continue her education by attending graduate school to receive her social work license.
She is excited to be a part of this conference to further her professionalism and knowledge about the various topics presented.
Rivaldo Rodriguez
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
Rivaldo is a Senior Civil engineering major. He is the vice president and treasurer of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity. Looking to pursue his passion in structural engineering. Rivaldo is excited and honored to be a part of the conference.
José Valenzuela
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
José Valenzuela is a first-generation, fourth-year student at Bradley University studying International Business, Economics, and Spanish. He currently serves as the President of the Bradley University Colony of Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity, Inc., where he has also served as the Recruitment Chair and Treasurer in previous years.
He hopes to use the leadership skills he developed within his organization and the Latinx Caucus to amplify the voices of the next generation of leaders on Bradley’s campus.
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LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/jose-valenzuela-0291a1207
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Email: jvalenzuela@mail.bradley.edu
Mariela Jasso
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
Mariela Jasso graduated from Bradley in 2019 with a Bachelor of Science in Psychology and a minor in Women's and Gender Studies. She is currently a graduate student at Northern Illinois University for an M.S.Ed. in Higher Education and Student Affairs.
While at Bradley, she dedicated her time to extracurriculars that included: Student Admissions Representative (STAR), Social Chair and Vice President for A.L.A.S., Scholarship Chair, Philanthropy Chair, Fundraising Chair, and a member of the Sisterhood Enhancement Committee for Sigma Lambda Gamma National Sorority Inc., ODI Scholar, Research Assistant with three psychology labs, Board Member for SABRC, and aided in establishing the Latinx Caucus.
She is passionate about mental health, higher education, and all the intersectionalities in between that affect people of color and hopes to continue progressing her career in that path.
Ana Velazquez (she/hers/ella)
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
Ana Velazquez (she/hers/ella) is a 2019 Bradley Alumna and currently hold the Alumni Engagement Coordinator for The Bradley Association of International & Latino Alumni (BAILA).
She's currently a Graduate Student - Higher Education and Student Affairs Master's Program at Northern Illinois University. Hold the Graduate Research Assistant for the Office of Academic Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion.
Adrian M. Alvarez
2021 ALPFA Latinx Conference Workshop Speaker
Adrian M. Alvarez gradauted from Bradley in 1989 with a Bachelor in Business Management & Administration, with a concentration in Marketing and International Business. He pursued his Executive MBA with a focus in International Businesss & Consulting at the University of Nebraska at Omaha in 1995.
He is married to former Bradley student, Dr. Sherri Alvarez. They were blessed with two sons, Samuel and Alejandro Alvarez. ​
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Alvarez has been working with AT&T Business for 32 years. He currently holds the role as Director of Sales for Global Business in the Manufacturing Solutions segment.
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For the past 10 years, Alvarez has been a recipient of the US Presidential Volunteer Service Award.
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He's currently the President of The Bradley Association of International and Latino Alumni (BAILA). ​​