FUTURO is Bright!

FUTURO is Bright!

April 12, 2023 | Alondra Tellez-Lopez

In recent news, FUTURO executive director, Jennifer Novo, announced the Chapter of The Year winner to be Middle Tennessee State University’s FUTURO chapter. What exciting news it was for the MTSU chapter! Now to highlight some moments the chapter brought to life…

With building community: 

On October 29, 2022, this chapter partook in Hispanic Heritage Night at MTSU. The chapter’s president, Alondra Tellez, and vice-president, Eric Batchelder (MTSU Junior), hosted the event through combined efforts with their officer team and the Intercultural Diversity and Affairs department. This event was a hit! The sense of “familia” was echoed through the member’s way of connecting and celebrating with the MTSU community, while also with Cumberland’s chapter who visited. This energetic event brought in new members who shared similar values to the “familia.” 

Other community-building events included a dancing night and sports day. Many members discovered overlaps in their first-generation experiences and others connected with similar degree pathways. This led to mini study groups developing. Sam Perez (MTSU Junior), Diana Medina (MTSU Senior), and Nate Talley (MTSU Senior) held their own library study sessions over similar academic materials. These students, like others in the chapter, saw the need for collaborating to ensure their studying and assignments were completed! In addition, many of our members joined the Fast Track program, and in Eric’s (participant of Fast Track) words as he explains his reasons for continuing his involvement with FUTURO, “FUTURO has given me the opportunity to network myself in such a way that I have been able to make connections all over the country regarding my career and personal life.”

With sharing knowledge: 

Through both Fall and Spring semesters, valued speakers came to the chapter’s meetings offering the members with valued knowledge. The chapter’s secretary, Luz Soto (MTSU Senior), took on the challenge of being a speaker for two meetings in the Fall of 2022. Using her nutrition knowledge, she discussed a common struggle many first-generation students deal with while in college – nutrition (it is estimated that 1 in 3 college students will face hunger); in addition, she was able to offer advice on studying abroad, an overlooked opportunity amongst many Hispanic/Latino students, and how financing it works having planned for one herself. In her words, “being involved with FUTURO throughout my four years at MTSU helped me grow as a person, expand my connections, and get out of my comfort zone. I truly enjoyed every minute of it.” 

In addition, Jennifer Novo joined the MTSU chapter this spring semester on finding one’s own FUTURO success. Through her storytelling in finding success, she expanded on the Maslow’s Hierarchy of Needs concept relating it back to our members. Being able to lead and serve must come from caring for yourself first and defining your persona. Our students felt very encouraged and reflective as they learned from Mrs. Novo. Osiris Garcia (MTSU Freshmen) connected with Mrs. Novo towards the end for more guided mentorship. 

Another student, Paulina Miller (MTSU Senior), who’s also the membership chair, showed an early interest to connect the chapter with her social work mentor, Andrea Bell. This initiative manifested into Mrs. Bell being one of the valued speakers of the Spring, which Paulina and Eric led with an icebreaker. Their skills with networking proved beneficial for the chapter as members were immersed in a conversation about internships. Paulina wanted to share the value of internships, as she’s been participating in a semester-long internship. In my own words, “the event was a success in uniting members with varying college pathways into one cohesive discussion on approaching and being in an internship!”

With showcasing representation:

Our communication chair, Brenda Soto (MTSU Senior), has worked very hard and smart on how our organization information is spread. Her multi-methods include printing flyers to be available in most of our student buildings, while also ensuring the information is relayed to our social medias. Not just information is spread, but posts of our meetings are too! Her leadership in voicing our chapter’s presence on campus has elevated our representation. She shares, “I thank FUTURO for giving me a family and the professional resources to grow.”

A great product of their representation on campus showed in a recent fundraiser as members volunteered to help and provide the bake sale with baked goods to sale: strawberry-filled empanadas, oat muffins, fruit salad, churros, and goodie bags. The members showed great representation of the organization without help from the upperclassmen. It is well-depicted the underclassmen are beginning to carry the enthusiasm of what the FUTURO chapter means. They lead, served, and connected as one to fund for cookout to celebrate their graduating seniors! 

Now to return to the spring conference! It was a moment of reflection for our seniors as their final years with FUTURO would transfer them into the alumni pool. Our chapter represented MTSU again as they did in the fall. A great performer and MTSU sophomore, Ambar Herrera performed at the cocktail hours of both conferences! “Performing for the conferences and Hispanic heritage night helped me be more involved with my Latina side. I have gotten closer to the members and know they are always supporting me. I love mi familia de FUTURO,” she stated. 

Let’s recap: 

The academic year for MTSU FUTURO was filled with long-lasting memories with attributes to lead, serve, and connect as professionals and friends. As said by myself (MTSU Senior), “I’m grateful to have given back to the organization that further encouraged my own personal motivations! Excited for what’s to come as an alumnus and for the upcoming leadership.” Congratulations to the chapter again!

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