Spanish Clubs/Organizations

Latinos Unidos Student Organization

(Not a Spanish Club, but is housed under Spanish B.A. program)

The Latinos Unidos organization aims to create an inclusive and supportive space where students can celebrate Latino culture, build community, and engage in academic, social, and professional development opportunities. The organization will serve as a hub for students—Latino and non-Latino alike—who want to learn about and contribute to the rich cultural heritage of Latin America while strengthening their connections on campus.

Through educational initiatives, cultural events, mentorship programs, and outreach activities, Latinos Unidos will provide members with the opportunity to embrace and showcase Latino identity, while also raising awareness about the contributions and presence of Latinos in higher education and society.

"Hand in Hand, We take a Stand"

Linktree | Instagram | Facebook | Engage

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Executive Cabinet and Contact Information

President & Founder: Jesrael R. Cabrera-Luna | Jeje22465@mail.fresnostate.edu

Overseer of Committee (S) Operations

Jesrael R. Cabrera-Luna is in his final semester of the Bachelor of Arts in Spanish at Fresno State and will begin the Master of Arts in Spanish in Spring 2026, completing it by the end of that year. His long-term goal is to pursue a Ph.D. in Student Affairs in Higher Education with a minor in Counseling, preparing him to serve students both academically and personally.

He currently works at the Cross Cultural and Gender Center as an Operations and Administration Assistant, an experience that broadens his understanding of student needs and strengthens his commitment to equity and inclusion.

Jesrael founded Latinos Unidos after recognizing that many students, especially first-generation students, need extra support but often do not seek it out. While the name “Latinos Unidos” was chosen to reflect Fresno State’s status as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), the organization is open to all students. The goal is to create a welcoming space that celebrates culture while providing real resources for academic, professional, and personal success.

As a Spanish major, Jesrael has seen how culture and identity shape student experiences. Through Latinos Unidos, he seeks to connect cultural pride with mentorship, leadership, and support systems that help students thrive at Fresno State and beyond.

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Vice President: Claudia Román | Claudiaroman@mail.fresnostate.edu

Public Relations & Marketing Committee Co-Chair

Claudia Román is a proud first-generation college student pursuing a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish with a minor in Criminology. She is deeply committed to advocating for immigrant and underrepresented communities.

Motivated by her parents’ sacrifices and her own experiences overcoming barriers to higher education, Claudia helped establish Latinos Unidos, an organization dedicated to empowering individuals from diverse backgrounds to reach their full potential despite systemic challenges. Through mentorship and community-building initiatives, she provides support, resources, and opportunities to marginalized communities.

After graduation, Claudia plans to pursue a Master’s degree in Spanish and obtain a TESOL certification, with long-term goals of attending law school and advancing equity-driven legal and educational reform.

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Chief of Staff: Annette Michelle Román | Annette_roman@mail.fresnostate.edu

Public Relations & Marketing Committee Co-Chair

Annette Roman Velazquez is a sophomore pursuing a major in Biochemistry with a minor in Chicano Studies. She holds an Associate’s Degree in Mathematics from Fresno City College, which she earned along with her high school diploma from Design Science Middle College High School.

Raised by immigrant parents who instilled in her the value of hard work, Annette credits her parents as the foundation of her educational journey. Due to her parents’ sacrifices and belief in her potential, Annette’s inspiration to pursue her goals, no matter how ambitious they may seem, is one that she holds close to heart. Motivated by her past, personal experiences, and inspirations, Annette is on the pre-med track aspiring to become a gynecologic oncologist. She also believes that her passion for medicine will grow to include addressing health disparities and providing care to underserved communities.

Throughout the years, Annette has earned multiple certificates of achievement that reflect her strong commitment to community service and academic excellence. In high school, she held several leadership positions that nurtured her interest in advocacy and collaboration. These experiences led her to join Latinos Unidos. Annette also joined this organization because she knew that joining Latinos Unidos would deepen her understanding of the social and economic challenges many face and would have the opportunity of connecting others with valuable resources and support. With the dedication of helping others, Annette continues to work to uplift others through community engagement, leadership, and medicine. 

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Chief Financial Officer (CFO): Itchel Xiomara Salgado-Barajas | Itchel35@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Fundraising and Finance Committee Chair

Itchel X. Salgado Barajas is a 42-year-old senior at California State University, Fresno, where she is completing her Bachelor of Arts in Spanish and is expected to graduate in Fall 2025. She is proud to be the first in her family to attend college and serve as an example of perseverance and dedication.

Born in Michoacán, Mexico, she immigrated to the United States in 1994. Her family first settled in Bakersfield, California, before moving to Fresno a year later. As the oldest of two sisters, she has always embraced responsibility and leadership within her family.

Beyond her academic journey, Itchel is a single mother to an 18-year-old daughter, who inspires her daily. Her experiences as an immigrant, a mother, and a student have shaped her into a resilient and determined individual, committed to achieving her goals and creating new opportunities for herself and her family.

She chose to join Latinos Unidos as Chief Financial Officer because she believes in creating community, supporting students across the campus, and ensuring that every voice has a place. In this role, she is committed to managing resources responsibly and helping the organization make a positive impact on both Latino students and the wider university community.

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Director of Academic & Career Success: Rosa Maria Rosales, M.S. MFT | Rmr26@mail.fresnostate.edu

Membership and Outreach Committee Co-Chair

Rosa Maria Rosales is a proud graduate student in the Master’s in Spanish program at California State University, Fresno. She earned a double B.S. in Criminology and Chicano and Latin American Studies in 2008, followed by a Master’s in Marriage and Family Therapy Counseling in 2011. Rosa Maria achieved these academic milestones while working multiple part-time jobs and earning scholarships, as she did not qualify for financial aid due to her legal status at the time. In May 2025, she earned her Multiple Subject Teaching Credential and is now continuing her academic journey toward her ultimate goal of earning a Ph.D. Rosa Maria was the first in a family of 13 children to attend college and earn a Master’s degree. This achievement fueled her determination to be a positive role model not only for her family, but for her community. She believes that what others see in her is a reflection of their own potential.

As a single mother of three, Rosa Maria leads by example instilling in her children the values of education, humility, and cultural pride. Her devoted dedication has borne fruit. Her eldest son earned a B.S. in Construction Engineering from Fresno State in 2024. Her daughter is currently attending UC Merced, pursuing her dream of becoming a plastic surgeon; and her youngest, a senior at Kerman High School, aspires to attend Stanford University and become a Latina immigration attorney. Rosa Maria has always planted the seed in her children that education is power, a form of knowledge that no one can ever take away. She taught them to remain true to themselves, stay humble and grounded, and to take pride in who they are and where they come from. Her legacy is not only seen in their accomplishments, but in the strength of character and cultural pride she has instilled in them.

With over 15 years of experience as a social worker serving foster youth and underserved families, Rosa Maria’s life has been defined by resilience, service, and a deep commitment to educational equity. Now, as Director of Academic & Career Success for Latinos Unidos at Fresno State, she is determined to promote academic excellence, expand collaboration with student clubs, campus organizations, and local non-profits, and build pathways that assist, advocate for, and empower others. A proud daughter of Michoacán, Mexico, and a former migrant student, Rosa Maria Rosales continues to lead with heart, purpose, and an unwavering belief in the transformative power of education and community unity. 

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Director of Community Affairs: Guadalupe Elizabeth Castrejon, B.A. | Ecastrejon80@mail.fresnostate.edu

Event Planning Committee Co-Chair

Elizabeth Castrejon, B.A., is a Spanish high school teacher with a Single Subject Teaching Credential in Spanish. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish from California State University, Fresno, and a Licenciatura in Medicine from the Universidad Autónoma de Sinaloa in Mexico. Her academic interests include literature and language, which continue to shape both her teaching and her community work.

Originally from Mexico, Elizabeth brings a unique perspective as both an immigrant and an educator. She is the only Latinos Unidos director who is not currently a Fresno State student, which is why she serves as Director of Community Affairs. In this role, she helps strengthen the organization’s ties to the wider community, building partnerships, expanding outreach, and ensuring that Latinos Unidos has an impact beyond the campus.

As a teacher, she brings valuable classroom experience and a strong commitment to representation in education. She plans to begin her Master of Arts in Education, with an option in Multilingual and Multicultural Education, at Fresno State in the next academic year.

Elizabeth is dedicated to fostering inclusivity, supporting cultural awareness, and creating opportunities that empower both the Latino community and the entire student body.

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Director of Outreach & Recruitment: Mia Olguin | Mjo19@mail.fresnostate.edu

Membership and Outreach Committee Co-Chair

Mia Olguin serves as the Director of Outreach and Recruitment for Latinos Unidos. She is a first-year student pursuing pre-health studies and brings her passion for community and service into her leadership role. As Outreach and Recruitment Director, Mia works to welcome new members, strengthen campus connections, and ensure students feel supported and included. She values the importance of celebrating Latino culture while building a space where all students can belong, grow, and succeed together.

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Interim Director of Events: Andrea Tenorio-Zurita | Andreatenorio86@mail.fresnostate.edu 

Event Planning Committee Co-Chair

Andrea Tenorio-Zurita is an undergraduate student majoring in Philosophy Pre-Law, and minoring in Spanish Translations and Interpreting. She anticipates graduating in the Spring of 2026 and plans to attend law school following graduation. Andrea’s deep interest in law and justice, combined with her passion for cultural advocacy and community engagement, inspired her to take on a leadership role within Latinos Unidos. Her dedication to bridging cultural connections and supporting her Latino community drives her commitment to this role. Through her work with Latinos Unidos, she hopes to empower fellow students, promote cultural pride, and advocate for equitable opportunities both on and off campus.

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Editor-in-Chief: VACANT

Membership and Outreach Committee Officer

VACANT

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Faculty Advisor

Debbie M. Ávila, Ph.D. | Professor of Spanish and Portuguese

Deavila@mail.fresnostate.edu | 559.278.6616 | Office: Peters Business Bldg. 335

Dr. Debbie M. Ávila has been part of Fresno State since 2004, where she teaches Spanish and Portuguese literature and culture in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures. She holds a Ph.D. in Twentieth-Century Spanish and Portuguese Literatures from the University of California, Irvine, and has studied and taught abroad in both Spain and Portugal.

Her research and teaching reflect a deep commitment to language, culture, and student success. As the Faculty Advisor for Latinos Unidos, Dr. Ávila supports the organization’s mission to empower students, provide resources, and celebrate Latino identity on campus.

Dr. Ávila believes Latinos Unidos is special because it combines cultural pride with academic and professional support, giving students the tools they need to succeed in college and beyond.

A fun fact about her: her family is originally from the Azores Islands.

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About Latinos Unidos

Latinos Unidos was founded by Jesrael R. Cabrera-Luna to provide students with the support they need to succeed. Fresno State is a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), and the first officers — Jesrael R. Cabrera-Luna, Claudia Román, Itchel Xiomara Salgado-Barajas, and Annette M. Román — chose the name Latinos Unidos to represent unity and inclusion.

Although our name highlights Latino identity, we welcome all students regardless of background, ethnicity, or religion. Latinos Unidos is a student services organization designed to help students succeed at Fresno State and beyond. Our support includes FAFSA and Dream Act help, food resources like CalFresh and the Student Cupboard, and resume and job search assistance.

We also prepare members for life after college. Officer positions provide leadership experience that looks strong on resumes. Members can earn up to three certificates:

• Certificate of Distinguished Leadership
• Certificate of Civic Engagement
• Certificate of Cultural Advocacy

These credentials support graduate school applications and meet equity and diversity requirements that many K-12 and higher education institutions value. Soon, Latinos Unidos will also offer scholarships to further assist students. At graduation, members receive a sash to proudly recognize their involvement and remember being part of a supportive community.

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Academic & Career Success

Latinos Unidos supports members in reaching their academic and professional goals. We host study sessions, provide peer mentorship, and guide students through FAFSA, Dream Act, and scholarship applications. Members also receive help with resumes, cover letters, and interview preparation to be ready for jobs and graduate school.

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Community Engagement & Leadership

Our members give back to the Central Valley through volunteer work, outreach, and partnerships with local schools and organizations. Students can earn leadership roles within Latinos Unidos and receive official certificates in Distinguished Leadership, Civic Engagement, and Cultural Advocacy. These experiences strengthen resumes and meet equity and diversity requirements valued in education and professional fields.

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Celebrating Culture & Building Legacy

We celebrate Latino heritage through cultural events, guest speakers, and campus programs. Members connect with their roots while sharing traditions with the wider Fresno State community. At graduation, members receive a sash to honor their involvement, and we are working toward offering scholarships to leave a lasting impact for future generations of Latinos Unidos students.

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Communication and Outreach

If you would like to collaborate or partner with Latinos Unidos, please connect with our outreach leads.

Rosa Maria Rosales M.S. MFT, Director of Academic & Career Success, serves as the Lead Director of Latinos Unidos. She develops academic and career programs, organizes study sessions, career workshops, and mentorship opportunities. She also connects members with scholarships, internships, and campus resources while coordinating with all committees to ensure alignment with organizational goals. You can reach her at Rmr26@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Guadalupe Elizabeth Castrejon, Director of Community Affairs, cultivates relationships with community organizations, alumni, and external partners. She advises the Executive Board on community engagement opportunities and supports sponsorships and outreach while serving as a community voice within Latinos Unidos. You can reach her at Ecastrejon80@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Mia Olguin, Director of Outreach and Recruitment, leads recruitment efforts and membership engagement. She builds partnerships with campus and community groups, promotes visibility, and advocates for Latino student representation. You can reach her at Mjo19@mail.fresnostate.edu.

Rosa, Elizabeth, and Mia are your main contacts for outreach, partnerships, and collaboration opportunities with Latinos Unidos.