To cultivate an
appreciation of the Hispanic/Latino community and to educate ourselves and others about the growing
Hispanic/Latino society across the United States and the U.S. Fleet.
We
strive to embrace and better our understanding of the various Hispanic/Latino
cultures by providing midshipmen with the opportunity to learn more about
the political and cultural differences of the various Latino communities
and by encouraging the Brigade of Midshipmen to be a more open and
diverse society.
In the past year, LASC has invited speakers to meetings to discuss leadership, the role of Hispanics in the military/government, and the importance of Latin America to the world and its political/economic significance. Some speakers have been invited in conjunction with the History Department’s Forum for Latin American Studies (FLAS). LASC also offers peer-mentoring to help members improve in all aspects of the Naval Academy mission; academically, physically, and morally. For community service, LASC participates in student mentoring at a local elementary school where members go when they have two-consecutive free periods. Prof. Moran of the Mechanical Engineering Dept. also uses LASC members to give tours of the Naval Academy to prospective minority students in order to encourage them to apply and attend our institution. Finally, LASC is a social organization that works together with the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers to promote Hispanic achievement throughout the Brigade and to help them succeed while at the Naval Academy. Since beginning our peer-mentoring program, many of the members have become SAT (some going from a 1.6 QPR to a 2.8 QPR) and have taken leadership roles in the organization and become role models for other underclassmen. It is our goal to increase the membership of LASC and the number of members participating in peer-mentoring. In all, we want to instill a feeling of family and community among our members – we truly are a “familia” away from home.
LIFE OF A "LATINO" MIDSHIPMAN @ THE U.S. NAVAL
ACADEMY
One of our LASC members gets interviewed by the Spanish Network:
Telemundo.
LASC Familia:
Our goals are multi-facet, with an
overall emphasis on the academic and professional
development of interested midshipmen of the Brigade as we continue to prepare
ourselves to be future Naval and Marine Corps Officers.
With the large growing Hispanic population across
the nation and our U.S. Fleet, the Latin American Studies Club, is trying to
provide the Brigade of midshipmen with the opportunity to learn and gain
cultural awareness in conjunction with the CNO's objectives and diversity
policy.
Chief of Naval Operations Diversity Statement
"I believe that diversity is the responsibility of every
leader, both military and civilian. Each leader must set and live the example,
as well as create an environment in our Navy where every individual's
contribution is valued and respected.
Most importantly, the Navy must reflect the face of the
nation. When the nation looks at its Navy, it should see itself reflected back."
