HSF Executive Board 2015-2016
Name
Christian Rivera
Alejandra Figueroa
Denisse Melgar
Jane Mahan
Karen Reyes
Julian Vigil
Shreya Sirivolu
Leanna Lupin
Fiona Kibblewhite
Jesús Reyes
Andres Salazar
Aida Duarte
Jonathan Pagan
Alicia Morejon
Jazmin Vargas
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Position
President
Vice President
Treasurer
Secretary
Events Chair
Mentoring Chair
Mentoring Chair
Tutoring Chair
Tutoring Chair
Publicity Chair
Publicity Chair
Historian
Webmaster
Senior Adviser
Senior Adviser
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E-mail
aes2268@columbia.edu
@barnard.edu
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Year
2016
2016
2016
2016
2018
2016
2019
2016
2019
2017
2016
2016
2017
2016
2016
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Learn More About the Team!
Christian Rivera
Christian Rivera was born in Washington Heights, New York. Before attending Columbia University, he attended a boarding school called Hotchkiss in Lakeville, Connecticut. He is currently majoring in Political Science, but for fun, Christian likes to dance, draw and take pictures. He loves watching basketball, and riding bicycles. As Co-Mentoring chair for HSF, he hopes to help prepare students for the obstacles and rewards one can face in college.
Christian Rivera was born in Washington Heights, New York. Before attending Columbia University, he attended a boarding school called Hotchkiss in Lakeville, Connecticut. He is currently majoring in Political Science, but for fun, Christian likes to dance, draw and take pictures. He loves watching basketball, and riding bicycles. As Co-Mentoring chair for HSF, he hopes to help prepare students for the obstacles and rewards one can face in college.
Alejandra Figueroa
Alejandra Figueroa is a Senior at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is currently pursuing a B.A in Political Science, and is minoring in Economics and French. After Barnard, she plans on going to law school. This year, she is interning for a law firm in Manhattan. Alejandra has been on the Executive Board of the HSF Scholar Chapter at Columbia since her freshman year and is immensely proud of having the opportunity to see the chapter grow and expand year by year. Her favorite HSF Scholar Chapter Events are Deck the Halls and the Annual Alumni Reception. Some of her hobbies include writing and photography. She loves taking photos of other people around the city, and hopes to travel the world. She also has a massive list of restaurants she wants to visit!
Alejandra Figueroa is a Senior at Barnard College of Columbia University. She is currently pursuing a B.A in Political Science, and is minoring in Economics and French. After Barnard, she plans on going to law school. This year, she is interning for a law firm in Manhattan. Alejandra has been on the Executive Board of the HSF Scholar Chapter at Columbia since her freshman year and is immensely proud of having the opportunity to see the chapter grow and expand year by year. Her favorite HSF Scholar Chapter Events are Deck the Halls and the Annual Alumni Reception. Some of her hobbies include writing and photography. She loves taking photos of other people around the city, and hopes to travel the world. She also has a massive list of restaurants she wants to visit!
Denisse Melgar
Denisse is currently a senior at Columbia College majoring in Financial Economics with a concentration in Psychology. Since her freshman year, she has been a health educator for Peer Health Exchange, an active member of the Multicultural Recruitment Committee, and a sister of Alpha Chi Omega. During her sophomore year, she was a volunteer at the Toddler Learning Center and also began interviewing Columbia applicants. Most recently, she started working at the Office of Student Engagement and is looking forward to everything else junior year will bring. In her free time, Denisse enjoys going to Broadway shows, visiting home, and listening to One Direction. Denisse grew up in Union City, NJ and was surrounded by a Latino community her entire life. Although this is her first year with HSF, she is extremely excited to be treasurer because she gets to work with numbers, but most importantly because she gets to be a part of a community that promotes the success of hispanics on campus while bringing them closer together.
Denisse is currently a senior at Columbia College majoring in Financial Economics with a concentration in Psychology. Since her freshman year, she has been a health educator for Peer Health Exchange, an active member of the Multicultural Recruitment Committee, and a sister of Alpha Chi Omega. During her sophomore year, she was a volunteer at the Toddler Learning Center and also began interviewing Columbia applicants. Most recently, she started working at the Office of Student Engagement and is looking forward to everything else junior year will bring. In her free time, Denisse enjoys going to Broadway shows, visiting home, and listening to One Direction. Denisse grew up in Union City, NJ and was surrounded by a Latino community her entire life. Although this is her first year with HSF, she is extremely excited to be treasurer because she gets to work with numbers, but most importantly because she gets to be a part of a community that promotes the success of hispanics on campus while bringing them closer together.
Jane Mahan
Jane Mahan is currently in her fourth year at Columbia where she double majors in Political Science and History. She is passionate about domestic policy, especially as it affects education in minority communities. Growing up in Lubbock, Texas Janie—whose family is of Mexican-American decent—saw all too clearly the disadvantages faced by many Latinos in the American public school system. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and eventually work in the public sector. She is passionate about HSF’s mission, and is looking forward to another year of making a difference in the Latino community through the programming of Columbia’s HSF chapter. Janie serves as the secretary on this year’s Executive Board.
Jane Mahan is currently in her fourth year at Columbia where she double majors in Political Science and History. She is passionate about domestic policy, especially as it affects education in minority communities. Growing up in Lubbock, Texas Janie—whose family is of Mexican-American decent—saw all too clearly the disadvantages faced by many Latinos in the American public school system. After graduation, she hopes to attend law school and eventually work in the public sector. She is passionate about HSF’s mission, and is looking forward to another year of making a difference in the Latino community through the programming of Columbia’s HSF chapter. Janie serves as the secretary on this year’s Executive Board.
Karen Reyes
Karen is from Anaheim, California. She is currently a sophomore at Columbia College and she is pursuing a degree in Political Science. After graduation, Karen plans on attending law school. She enjoys dancing, discovering new music and traveling. She is really excited to be a part of the HSF Executive Board this year. As an events chair she hopes to help create events that will benefit and impact the Latino community at Columbia and Barnard.
Karen is from Anaheim, California. She is currently a sophomore at Columbia College and she is pursuing a degree in Political Science. After graduation, Karen plans on attending law school. She enjoys dancing, discovering new music and traveling. She is really excited to be a part of the HSF Executive Board this year. As an events chair she hopes to help create events that will benefit and impact the Latino community at Columbia and Barnard.
Rebecca Arteaga
Rebecca is a sophomore majoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies on the pre-med track. Growing up as a Latina in the southwest, she became passionate about health disparities among marginalized groups. Rebecca has found a home in the Latinx community on campus, and she is excited to support the community further as Events Co-Chair of HSF. After Columbia, she hopes to attend medical school, with the eventual goal of alleviating the healthcare burden that minority groups face in the US.
Rebecca is a sophomore majoring in Latin American and Caribbean Studies on the pre-med track. Growing up as a Latina in the southwest, she became passionate about health disparities among marginalized groups. Rebecca has found a home in the Latinx community on campus, and she is excited to support the community further as Events Co-Chair of HSF. After Columbia, she hopes to attend medical school, with the eventual goal of alleviating the healthcare burden that minority groups face in the US.
Melissa Pineda
Melissa Pineda is a Sophomore at Columbia College and is majoring in Political Science. She plans on attending law school after she graduates. She is from Los Angeles, CA and oftentimes finds herself missing the weather back home the most. She enjoys listening to different genres of music and exploring the city. She also loves trying different types of food. Melissa is looking forward to being Co-Mentoring Chair on HSF because she loves mentoring and believes that by empowering the youth at a young age, there is nothing that they could not achieve.
Melissa Pineda is a Sophomore at Columbia College and is majoring in Political Science. She plans on attending law school after she graduates. She is from Los Angeles, CA and oftentimes finds herself missing the weather back home the most. She enjoys listening to different genres of music and exploring the city. She also loves trying different types of food. Melissa is looking forward to being Co-Mentoring Chair on HSF because she loves mentoring and believes that by empowering the youth at a young age, there is nothing that they could not achieve.
Shreya Sirivolu
Shreya Sirivolu is a freshman at Columbia College from Columbus, Ohio and is planning on majoring in Hispanic Studies. She is currently serving as one of the Mentoring Chairs at HSF. She is very excited for the upcoming year and hopes that she will be able to help high school students achieve their goals in higher education and looks forward to learning from them in the process. During her free time she likes to listen to music, watch movies, and go to the beach.
Shreya Sirivolu is a freshman at Columbia College from Columbus, Ohio and is planning on majoring in Hispanic Studies. She is currently serving as one of the Mentoring Chairs at HSF. She is very excited for the upcoming year and hopes that she will be able to help high school students achieve their goals in higher education and looks forward to learning from them in the process. During her free time she likes to listen to music, watch movies, and go to the beach.
Leanna Lupin
Born and raised in California, Leanna Sofía Lupin is a senior in Columbia College majoring in Sociology with a concentration in English Literature. After graduation she hopes to teach public school, and then attend law school in order to pursue a career in law and education and continue serving the Latin@ community, as well as other underrepresented groups. She has a passion for education and as such, she is the current Tutoring Chair for HSF. She also works with Latinx Heritage Month as an Assistnat Showcase Director and is a coordinator for Big Sibs, a Community Impact organization focused on building and maintaining a mentor/mentee relationship with a local elementary or middle school student. Some of her passions include writing, reading, traveling, and photography. She joined the Columbia chapter of HSF because she firmly believes in its goal to make a difference both on and off campus through its educational and pre-professional programs.
Born and raised in California, Leanna Sofía Lupin is a senior in Columbia College majoring in Sociology with a concentration in English Literature. After graduation she hopes to teach public school, and then attend law school in order to pursue a career in law and education and continue serving the Latin@ community, as well as other underrepresented groups. She has a passion for education and as such, she is the current Tutoring Chair for HSF. She also works with Latinx Heritage Month as an Assistnat Showcase Director and is a coordinator for Big Sibs, a Community Impact organization focused on building and maintaining a mentor/mentee relationship with a local elementary or middle school student. Some of her passions include writing, reading, traveling, and photography. She joined the Columbia chapter of HSF because she firmly believes in its goal to make a difference both on and off campus through its educational and pre-professional programs.
Fiona Kibblewhite
Oni Kibblewhite is a freshman at Columbia College studying Spanish, education, and business. She is currently serving as one of the Tutoring Chairs at HSF and is very excited to get involved with such a great organization. Oni spent this past summer summer studying abroad at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. In addition to anything related to Spanish and traveling, she also loves photography and film production.
Oni Kibblewhite is a freshman at Columbia College studying Spanish, education, and business. She is currently serving as one of the Tutoring Chairs at HSF and is very excited to get involved with such a great organization. Oni spent this past summer summer studying abroad at the University of Buenos Aires in Argentina. In addition to anything related to Spanish and traveling, she also loves photography and film production.
Jesus Reyes
Jesús C. Reyes is a current junior at Columbia College from Denver, Colorado planning to major in Political Science and Economics. This past summer he interned at Colorado Legal Services, a nonprofit organization that provides legal support to low-income clients. His favorite aspect of the job was interacting with clients and finding solutions to their specific problems. Jesús hopes to obtain a job in Investment Banking and eventually graduate with a JD-MBA degree. Some of his hobbies include practicing martial arts, lifting weights, and exploring New York City. Jesús acts as the co-publicity for Columbia’s Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter. Jesús decided to join this organization in order to help plan professional events that will provide individuals with the tools needed to reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom.
Jesús C. Reyes is a current junior at Columbia College from Denver, Colorado planning to major in Political Science and Economics. This past summer he interned at Colorado Legal Services, a nonprofit organization that provides legal support to low-income clients. His favorite aspect of the job was interacting with clients and finding solutions to their specific problems. Jesús hopes to obtain a job in Investment Banking and eventually graduate with a JD-MBA degree. Some of his hobbies include practicing martial arts, lifting weights, and exploring New York City. Jesús acts as the co-publicity for Columbia’s Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter. Jesús decided to join this organization in order to help plan professional events that will provide individuals with the tools needed to reach their full potential inside and outside the classroom.
Andres Salazar
Andrés Salazar is an international student from Concepción, Chile, currently in his fourth year at Columbia College. Majoring in Earth Sciences and minoring in Environmental Biology, Andrés is working on his senior research thesis this year. He plans to attend graduate school in the near future hoping to eventually have a career in environmental research. As one of the two publicity chairs for this chapter, he is looking forward to engaging students into taking advantage of everything HSF has to offer.
Andrés Salazar is an international student from Concepción, Chile, currently in his fourth year at Columbia College. Majoring in Earth Sciences and minoring in Environmental Biology, Andrés is working on his senior research thesis this year. He plans to attend graduate school in the near future hoping to eventually have a career in environmental research. As one of the two publicity chairs for this chapter, he is looking forward to engaging students into taking advantage of everything HSF has to offer.
Aida Duarte
Aida Duarte is a Seniorat Barnard College majoring in American History. On campus, Aida is the Vice President of Columbia’s Student Organization of Latino’s which is a student group that works to unite the Latino community on Columbia and Barnard’s campus through events and discussions. She is also a member of the Marketing Committee of Columbia’s Women’s Business Society. Aida hopes to pursue a career in either marketing or consulting. This is her first year a part of HSF and is currently serving as the Historian.
I am excited to be a part of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter at Columbia University because I have been fortunate enough to have benefited my entire life from programs that support academic and professional success like HSF. I hope to continue learning as well as help others prepare for college and life after college.
Aida Duarte is a Seniorat Barnard College majoring in American History. On campus, Aida is the Vice President of Columbia’s Student Organization of Latino’s which is a student group that works to unite the Latino community on Columbia and Barnard’s campus through events and discussions. She is also a member of the Marketing Committee of Columbia’s Women’s Business Society. Aida hopes to pursue a career in either marketing or consulting. This is her first year a part of HSF and is currently serving as the Historian.
I am excited to be a part of the Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter at Columbia University because I have been fortunate enough to have benefited my entire life from programs that support academic and professional success like HSF. I hope to continue learning as well as help others prepare for college and life after college.
Jonathan Pagan
Jonathan Pagan is a junior in Columbia's School of Engineering and Applied Science majoring in Applied Math and minoring in Economics. Jonathan hopes to pursue a career in business or economics. He is the current webmaster for Columbia's Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter. In addition to his role in HSF, Jonathan is the secretary for the Columbia Chess Club and a member of Columbia's Engineers Without Borders - Uganda chapter. On the weekends, he tutors public school students in math and writing. His interests outside of academics include chess, working out, and traveling.
Jonathan is ecstatic to be a part of Columbia's Hispanic Scholarship Fund where he has the opportunity to help others further their academic and professional careers.
Jonathan Pagan is a junior in Columbia's School of Engineering and Applied Science majoring in Applied Math and minoring in Economics. Jonathan hopes to pursue a career in business or economics. He is the current webmaster for Columbia's Hispanic Scholarship Fund Chapter. In addition to his role in HSF, Jonathan is the secretary for the Columbia Chess Club and a member of Columbia's Engineers Without Borders - Uganda chapter. On the weekends, he tutors public school students in math and writing. His interests outside of academics include chess, working out, and traveling.
Jonathan is ecstatic to be a part of Columbia's Hispanic Scholarship Fund where he has the opportunity to help others further their academic and professional careers.
Alicia Morejon
Alicia Maria Puñales Morejon is a Senior in Columbia College majoring in Sociology with a minor in The Studies of Ethnicity and Race. She is a first generation Cuban-American, born in NYC and raised in Union City, NJ, home to one of the largest Latino immigrant communities in the state. Growing up in Union City, she witnessed and experienced the inequalities and inequities that minority families often have living in densely populated urban areas. Since an early age, her parents instilled in her the value of an education as the road to success and achievement. She plans to attend law school and to work on education policy and reform especially for disenfranchised Latino communities. She feels very passionate about social justice, community service and multiculturalism and ardently believes in the value of giving back to one’s community. Currently, in addition to being the Coordinator of HSF, she is the Director of Staff Development and Training for the WomanHOOD (Helping Ourselves Overcome Discrimination) Project, a teacher for the Double Discovery Center, and a facilitator for ROOTEd (Respecting Ourselves and Others Through Education). When not involved in one of these organizations, she enjoys playing soccer, singing, and dancing.
Alicia Maria Puñales Morejon is a Senior in Columbia College majoring in Sociology with a minor in The Studies of Ethnicity and Race. She is a first generation Cuban-American, born in NYC and raised in Union City, NJ, home to one of the largest Latino immigrant communities in the state. Growing up in Union City, she witnessed and experienced the inequalities and inequities that minority families often have living in densely populated urban areas. Since an early age, her parents instilled in her the value of an education as the road to success and achievement. She plans to attend law school and to work on education policy and reform especially for disenfranchised Latino communities. She feels very passionate about social justice, community service and multiculturalism and ardently believes in the value of giving back to one’s community. Currently, in addition to being the Coordinator of HSF, she is the Director of Staff Development and Training for the WomanHOOD (Helping Ourselves Overcome Discrimination) Project, a teacher for the Double Discovery Center, and a facilitator for ROOTEd (Respecting Ourselves and Others Through Education). When not involved in one of these organizations, she enjoys playing soccer, singing, and dancing.
Jazmin Vargas
Jazmin Vargas is currently serving as one of the Senior Advisers for HSF. She is a senior at Barnard College majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Chemistry. She hails from Clifton, New Jersey but is originally from Lima, Peru. Besides HSF, Jazmin is part of the Student Organization of Latinos, PeacebyPeace, Barnard’s C.I.T.Y program, and just recently joined Barnard’s Athena Scholar program. She hopes HSF continues to grow as a pre-professional organization for students of all ethnicities in the Columbia community.
Jazmin Vargas is currently serving as one of the Senior Advisers for HSF. She is a senior at Barnard College majoring in Neuroscience and Behavior with a minor in Chemistry. She hails from Clifton, New Jersey but is originally from Lima, Peru. Besides HSF, Jazmin is part of the Student Organization of Latinos, PeacebyPeace, Barnard’s C.I.T.Y program, and just recently joined Barnard’s Athena Scholar program. She hopes HSF continues to grow as a pre-professional organization for students of all ethnicities in the Columbia community.