Martha Receives 2021 Excellence in Advising Award from the Florida Academic Advising Association

Thankful Thursday – Last month, the Florida Academic Advising Association (FLACADA) surprised me with the 2021 Excellence in Advising Award given to 1 academic advisor in the state of Florida for demonstrating qualities associated with the outstanding advisement of students.

I humbly receive this award on behalf of the HUNDREDS (maybe more) of students I’ve had the honor of advising, guiding, and mentoring in my 21-year history as a higher education professional, educator, speaker, and activist.

From my San Antonio students at the University of Wisconsin working as a Graduate Assistant in Chican@ Studies, ........to Lewis University LASO, Ministry and Multicultural Departments and starting the Si Se Puede Conference impacting thousands of high school students, ...... to serving as the Latino/Multicultural Pathway Coach @ the Office of Multicultural Affairs (OMSA) and coordinating the Latinx Student Empower Conference @ Joliet Junior College,

.......serving as a Senior Academic Advisor at Brookhaven/Dallas Community College & currently an Academic Advisor @ Broward College in Florida, ........to meeting you at the De Mujer a Mujer Conference @ NIU, .......ILACHE presentations, ........, 25+ years of USHLI conferences/events, ........speaking to high school students and educators across the country from NY (Bronx, Brooklyn, Harlem) NY to Reno/Las Vegas, Nevada, .........and to the many students and parents I met along the way who were inspired by my message of hope and Si Se Puede ganas to go to college!

I have been blessed to be in your presence at a local church, community center, feria comunitaria, or college campus, I am a better educator because of you!

Thank you ~ mil gracias for sharing your personal stories….of struggle and strength, persistence, and resilience, for sharing your family’s gifts and joys with mine, for letting me walk this educational path with you! It’s been an honor and blessing being part of your lives!!

Muchas gracias y sigue adelante! #MarthaEmpowers #SheSePuede #RepresentationMatters