ALAS Club Helps Support Latino Students

It started with a passion in her heart and a calling she chose not to ignore. 

Daniela Garcia, a senior from Colombia, created a safe place for Latino American students by creating the Association of Latin American Students (ALAS). 

Garcia aspired to create an environment where Latino students on Liberty’s campus can unite and freely express themselves and their culture and serve the Latino American student body at Liberty by bringing a bit of culture to campus through events, group meetings and community.

The idea for the club began after Garcia spoke with the community director of the Student Government Association (SGA), Luke Zirkle, about the lack of Latino representation in the SGA. That conversation, along with the passion she has for her Latin American roots, sparked Garcia to make a positive change. She spoke with others in the Latino community on campus who confirmed the need for a group and began brainstorming what this community could look like. They all shared a common desire to help Latino students feel safe and secure by creating a place where each club member could grow as a person. 

“Our mission is to provide a space for Latino American students at Liberty University and to find support and guidance in their transition coming as international students,” Garcia said.

In Fall 2020, Garcia drafted the constitution and sent in the application to SGA.

Before ALAS was approved, Garcia also contacted five other students to form the board and a sturdy foundation for the club. The board members consist of Jose Marte, Jonathan Herrera, Ana Misla, Tatiana Pichardo, Santiago Zolla and Garcia. 

ALAS was officially approved in early spring 2021 and currently has 35 student members.

The board members meet once a week and plan different ALAS events. 

Garcia’s dream has become a reality, creating a family for those with Latin             American roots.  

“We’re regular students who want to make an impact helping the Latino community,” Garcia said. “We want to encourage, we want to guide them, equip them, serve them in order for them to thrive in their communities.” 

For more information and to keep up with upcoming events, follow ALAS on Instagram.

Reagan Lambert is a Feature Reporter.