Latino business group sets rare awards streak
By Molly Leaverton
The Santa Clara Latino Business Student Association was recently awarded the title of National Chapter of the Year from the National Hispanic Business Association for the third consecutive time, a feat never accomplished before in the history of the national organization.
The LBSA is a student organization that serves as a social club for students and strives for professional development and cultural awareness.
"Because our club isn't incredibly well known on campus, our accomplishments really show the dedication and work ethic of our members. We are really excited that we won and will continue to strive to be the best," said co-CEO and NHBA representative Carolina Lopez.
The NHBA held its annual awards ceremony during its 16th Annual NHBA Leadership Conference in Houston last month. The Santa Clara chapter was awarded a $1,000 chapter scholarship and honored as the "model chapter" for the NHBA.
The criteria that each chapter is evaluated on are community service/charity, academic development, leadership development, recruitment and attendance.
"They are really a very organized, imaginative, enthusiastic group and they do a lot if things that really help people. A lot of it has to be attributed to the enthusiasm of the leadership. Carolina and James have an incredible ability to get people excited," said Susan Parker, faculty advisor to the LBSA.
Lopez was also the recipient of the Western Region National Representative of the Year Award and a $200 individual scholarship for her work linking the LBSA at Santa Clara to the national organization of the NHBA.
The 35 members of the LBSA meet every other Monday with representatives from top companies to discuss career strategies and advice for entering the job market.
"We offer a lot of opportunities and skills to grow as a leader and as a person through all of the programs that we offer, networking opportunities as well as interviewing and etiquette workshops," said co-CEO and Head of Corporate Relations J.C. Hinsely.
The LBSA works closely with the career center as well as the Association of Latino Professionals in Finance and Accounting for resources of information and finances, which Hinsley credits as one of the things that makes their club the strongest chapter in the nation.
Hinsley said the LBSA makes an effort to give back to the Santa Clara community by sponsoring blood drives, organizing food drives, working on the March of Dimes and providing SAT tutoring to local high school students.
"One thing that sets the Santa Clara chapter apart has been their contributions to the community. Every year they think of something new to do, not because they want to win, but because it has got genuine value to the community," said Parker.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Latino communities make up the largest minority group in the United States.
The NHBA recognizes this reality and strives for the Latino community to be as well represented in the business world as it is in the general population, according to their mission statement.
Although the LBSA focuses on Latinos in business, they are open to all students, regardless of ethnicity or major.
"One thing that we really want people to realize is that you do not have to be Latino and you do not have to be a business student to be a part of our club because everything that we teach you everyone can use," Hinsley said.
Contact Molly Leaverton at (408) 554-4546 or mleaverton@scu.edu.