As a co-curricular unit of Syracuse University, La Casita provides opportunities for students, staff, faculty members, and alumni to engage in research and other scholarly projects together with the community. Through the Community Engaged Scholars campaign, La Casita recognizes individuals who have demonstrated a commitment to advancing the mission of La Casita as a space for scholarly activities in the community.
Anais Mejía
Ph.D Student in Sociology
This fall, Anais Mejía joined La Casita, contributing her insights and energy to our youth programming. As a journalist and PhD student in Sociology at the Maxwell School, Anais brought care and insight to our youth programs. Reflecting on her time at La Casita, she shared, “It was really fun! I got to know the kids and supported the program – it was enjoyable and exciting.”
Alexander Paredes Sampén G’27
Executive Masters in Public Administration
Alex joined the administrative team at the Office of Cultural Engagement for the Hispanic Community in 2023 after completing a Master’s degree in International Relations. He has contributed immensely in all areas of operation for both La Casita Cultural Center and Punto de Contacto-Point of Contact. Reflecting on his time at La Casita, Alex shared “La disciplina, tarde o temprano, vencerá a la inteligencia” which translates to “Discipline will sooner or later defeat intelligence.”
Maya Rizzo ’27
Major in Advertising with a Minor in Philosophy
As the dance instructor at La Casita, Maya inspires creativity, confidence, and cultural connection through movement. Her dedication to using the arts as a bridge for community and inclusion beautifully reflects La Casita’s mission.
Iman Jamison G’26
Masters in Science and Library & Information Science
Iman has been a part of numerous projects at La Casita, including the upkeep and development of the digital Cultural Memory Archive. As La Casita’s archivist, Iman works diligently to organize collections of new content to make accessible online through the NY Heritage Archive. Iman also brings her training and experience in musical theater to our youth programs. With her positive energy and generous spirit, she has become an invaluable part of La Casita’s programming team. Throughout her time at La Casita, she has supported all of our youth programs such as art, music, dance, and STEM.
Tiffany Schultz G’28
Masters in Social Work
Tiffany brings a deep commitment to identity, empathy, and community healing to La Casita. As a proud Mexican American and future social worker, she embraces La Casita as a space where her personal, educational, and professional paths come together. Tiffany aims to uplift community voices and foster connection through art, storytelling, and cultural expression.
Bronte Micek G’26
Masters in Public Diplomacy & Global Communications
Blending global perspective with community spirit, Bronte brings her passion for storytelling and digital strategy to La Casita’s Communications Team. Using her academic background, she helps amplify voices and foster connections within the community.
Paola Mendez Soto G’25
Masters in Museum Studies
Paola has been a huge help to La Casita and Point of Contact, contributing her creativity and organization to both spaces. She served as the curator of Corpórea, La Casita’s 2025 exhibition, and supports archival projects at Point of Contact, helping preserve and share the stories behind the art.
Mateo Lopez-Castro ’26
Double Major in Sociology and Television, Radio & Film
Mateo helped bring La Casita’s stories to life through visuals that reflect the heart of our community. Throughout his time as part of the Communications Team, Mateo was able to capture special moments to support our storytelling efforts, adding depth, beauty, and intention to everything that we shared.
Brenda Teruya
Ph.D. Candidate in Economics
Brenda has been a part of numerous projects at La Casita. She has spearheaded efforts to improve data collection and evaluation systems that measure public impact, student engagement, co-curricular research, and community participation. Brenda is also actively involved in La Casita’s adult programming initiatives, contributing meaningfully to art workshops, music sessions, and conversations that uplift the voices of Hispanic women throughout the community.
María Victoria Arenas G’25
Masters in Magazine, News, and Digital Journalism
María brought her journalistic voice and Boricua pride to the communications team at La Casita. She completed a summer internship where she produced a series of articles based on her interviews with the community artists of Corpórea. Her in-depth profiles were published in the exhibition catalogue released in the fall of 2025, and in various online platforms.
Natalie Roswick ’26
Major in Music Education with a Performance Honors Certificate in Violin
Natalie held the position of violin instructor at La Casita, allowing her to have the opportunity to promote diversity within the arts while also giving back to her community in a meaningful way.
Olivia Rojo G’25
Master’s in Biology
Olivia helped out in many different programs at La Casita such as leading STEM workshops for our children programming as well as choreographed traditional Mexican dance performances for the annual Young Art Exhibit Opening Event in the spring of 2025.
Myra Bocage ’26
Major in Advertising
A talented musician, Myra held the position of piano instructor at La Casita since the Fall 2023 semester, incorporating music into her college experience while gaining leadership and communications skills.
Daniela Dorado G’25
Masters in Public Relations; Bachelor in Advertising; Minor in History
Daniela volunteered in numerous programs at La Casita, gaining experience in community engagement, event planning, and youth program development. She was involved in youth programs including the Acting workshop, as well as Women’s programs. Daniela also worked with the communications team to support La Casita’s communications efforts both within campus and to the Syracuse community.
Alix Ferrer-Yulfo Ph.D.
Faculty Fellow in Museum Studies
Scholarly projects brought to La Casita by Dr. Ferrer-Yulfo include an oral history project with her Museum Interpretation class, special learning programs developed by her Public Learning in Museums students, and her own research titled “Integrating Intangible Cultural Heritage in Syracuse Museums.”
Sofia Gutierrez ’24
Major in Architecture
Sofia volunteered in numerous projects at La Casita, including design workshops for children. In 2024, she designed and built a street vendor cart (or Piragua cart) as part of her thesis project for the School of Architecture at Syracuse University. Sofia’s Directed Research project was unveiled at La Casita’s 2024 Young Art Exhibit opening. Based on two years of research and planning, the project addressed the need for culturally centered interventions in public spaces and highlighted the impact that culturally sensitive design, diverse programming, and accessible public space had on community-building.
Bennie Guzman G’25
Masters of Science Candidate in Art Therapy
In addition to being an exhibiting artist and coordinating La Casita’s youth and community programs, Bennie also developed his own program, “Arts as Mindfulness.” This program focused on developing creative expression, stress management skills, and emotional exploration.
Valeria Martinez Gutierrez ’26
Major in Sociology, Earth Sciences, and Environmental Sustainability and Policy
Valeria volunteered in many areas of programming at La Casita and served as a Research Assistant for a project funded by the Syracuse Office of Undergraduate Research & Creative Engagement (SOURCE). Her work at La Casita also connected with her internship through the Engaged Humanities Network.
Sidney Mejia G’26
Major in Political Science; Minor in Environment and Society ’24. Masters in Entrepreneurship and Emerging Enterprises
Sidney created a weekly gardening workshop to teach youth from the community about plants and the environment. She integrated her coursework into this programming to teach young citizens that small actions could have a big impact. She now holds the position of Student Engagement Coordinator, managing the volunteer teams that help out with all of La Casita’s programming events.
Catalina Niño Cordero G’22
Executive Masters in Public Administration G’22
Master’s in Spanish Literature & Culture G ’25
Catalina completed her Optional Practical Training (OPT) at La Casita, where she helped increase community engagement and develop new programming for women and children. Her research work focusing on cultural programming at La Casita was based on the 2023 exhibit by Syracuse-based artist Cayetano Valenzuela titled “Latino Futurism”.
Motolani Oladitan ’24
Major in Psychology
Motolani was a Research Assistant at La Casita and had also volunteered in youth programming for several years. She was skilled at working with youth and volunteered in La Casita’s summer programs, afterschool programs, and numerous events.
Isabela Rodriguez ’25
Major in Civil Engineering
Isabela was involved at La Casita both as a volunteer in La Casita’s afterschool STEM workshop and as a Research Assistant. She participated in La Casita’s women’s programming and the STEM from Dance program for girls.
Evelina Torres ’25
Dual Major in Political Science and Citizenship and Civic Engagement
Completing her community placement at La Casita for her Citizenship & Civic Engagement program, Evelina was immersed in community programming at La Casita. She gained experience in program planning and execution, and developed her own civics program to empower youth voices. She presented the outcomes of her research Relationships between Social Barriers, Free Time, and Civic Engagement at the Midwest Political Science Association conference in the spring of 2025. Her research focused on the experiences of Latina women in Syracuse, specifically identifying problems they faced in the community and how they want to be politically engaged, or not.
Diana Varo G’24
Master of Multimedia, Photography and Design
Diana helped to facilitate dual-language literacy programming at La Casita and also supported the women’s program during her master’s program at SU. While completing her thesis project, Diana’s interest in highlighting the Latino community of Syracuse led her to become a participatory storyteller, volunteering at La Casita weekly and developing relationships with numerous community members. In collaboration with La Casita’s bilingual library, she assisted in a weekly workshop focused on improving children’s reading and literacy skills, and she also dedicated her time to supporting La Casita’s women and moms at monthly luncheons and special events.
Alyssa Nuñez Tapia ’26
Major in Television, Radio and Film; Minor in Philosophy
Through her efforts and persistence, Alyssa brought incredible energy and creativity to our audiovisual, photographic, and communication projects. With her passion for amplifying Latino voices in Syracuse and her talent with video editing and photography, she quickly became a key figure at La Casita, forging meaningful connections with community members. Reflecting on her experience, Alyssa said, “In little over a year at La Casita, it became my consistent outlet; not only to experiment with different creative ideas related to my passion, but also to have a Latin community while I was away from home. That sense of comfort and exploration made every visit to the center something to look forward to!”
Daijon Richards G’26
Masters in Social Work
Daijon worked to enhance La Casita’s youth programming efforts, assessing the strengths and needs of the community and amplifying La Casita’s community engagement. Reflecting on his experience, Daijon shared, “La Casita was a great experience for me, learning and diving into a new culture and being embraced by the community. This community needed La Casita, and communities around the world need places like La Casita.”
María Margarita Musante G’24
Dual Executive Master in Public Administration and International Relations
María Margarita became an invaluable member of La Casita’s administrative team and supported community-based initiatives, particularly our dual-language literacy programming for youth. She was also actively involved in work with our partner organization, Punto de Contacto–Point of Contact, and its exhibition, Libro de Artista, in partnership with the National Museum of Fine Arts of Argentina. Reflecting on her time, María Margarita shared, “By bridging cultures and communities through art, education, and civic engagement, La Casita and Point of Contact created powerful connections that transcend boundaries and inspire a more inclusive world.”
Zachary Murray ’25
Triple Major in Political Science, Policy Studies and Modern Foreign Languages
Through his hard work and determination, Zachary played a key role in strengthening La Casita’s programming efforts. Reflecting on his experience, Zach shared, “Working at La Casita Cultural Center was a super enriching experience. I not only got to experience the behind-the-scenes and inner workings of how a nonprofit is run, but I also had the opportunity to engage with the Latino community of Syracuse through various media.”
Raymond Beacom ’25
Major in Visual and Performing Arts- Film
Raymond distinguished himself through his passion, determination, and ambition in audiovisual storytelling. His love for film and generous spirit made him an essential part of our team, where he channeled his creativity and compassion into every project. Reflecting on his journey, Raymond shared, “Working here has been really fun and I have been learning a lot too. One of the best working experiences so far.”
Paola Manzano G’25
Master’s in Museum Studies
Paola was an invaluable part of La Casita’s arts programming, applying her museum studies expertise in her work with local artists and exhibits, including our show by Manuel Matias, Weird Barrio / Por mi barrio. Reflecting on her time there, Paola shared, “Working for La Casita was an amazing experience. La Casita had always been a sort of home away from home ever since I came to Syracuse, and being able to contribute in small ways to its success was extremely rewarding.”
Sophia Babcock ’26
Dual Major in Psychology and Magazine, News & Digital Journalism
As part of her Spanish 439 class (Community Outreach: Language in Action), Sophia joined our communications team, where she completed her service-learning requirement. Sophia worked both at La Casita and at our partner organization, Punto de Contacto–Point of Contact, where she was assigned to conduct interviews, write articles, work on translation, and produce dual-language content for social media campaigns, honing her Spanish along the way. Reflecting on her experience, Sophia shared, “The experience allowed me to grow in many ways and improve my Spanish communication skills. It was fun creating content and getting the chance to work with everyone!”
Andrew Serrao ’25
Dual Major in Geography and Spanish
As part of his Spanish 439 class (Community Outreach: Language in Action), Andrew joined our programming team, where he completed his service-learning requirement. During his time with us, Andrew supported the “Memoria en Comunidad” workshop, a community program designed to promote wellness through games and activities for seniors to enhance their capacities for attention, memory, language, and coordination. Reflecting on his experience, Andrew shared, “La Casita helped me to engage with my community in a meaningful way. I was able to learn about different people and different cultures that all call Syracuse home, just like myself.”
Emily Gutiérrez ’27
Major in Graphic Design with a Minor in Information, Management & Technology
With her ambitious spirit and boundless creativity, Emily brought fresh energy to our design and communications projects. Reflecting on her journey, Emily shared, “When I came to Syracuse University I knew I wanted to volunteer, so I was so excited to find out that La Casita offered all kinds of volunteer opportunities to Syracuse University students. I helped design fliers and social media posts for the events La Casita hosted. Their work was so important to the Hispanic community, both within Syracuse University and the wider New York area. Their space provided a place to learn with other students that shared my cultural identity.”
Lili Moreno ’25
Major in Art Photography with a Minor in Art History
As part of her Spanish 439 class (Community Outreach: Language in Action), Lili joined our programming team, where she completed her service-learning requirement. During her time at La Casita, Lili assisted with community-based youth programming, including Open Studio art-making and the Mi Música program. Throughout this experience, she even honed her skills in playing the guitar! Reflecting on her time at La Casita, Lili shared, “La Casita fostered a space where I was able to practice my Spanish comfortably and spend time with other Spanish speakers from Syracuse. I felt welcome in the Latino community at Syracuse University, which I had not experienced until then. I could not thank both my professor [Emma Ticio] and the La Casita staff enough and looked forward to continuing my volunteering experience with them.”
Beverly Okanome G’25
Masters in Public Health at Upstate Medical University
With her fluid movements and dynamic energy, Beverly took on the role of La Casita’s Danza instructor in the first months of the Spring 2025 semester. As a master’s candidate at Upstate Medical University, she brought not only her passion for dance but also her deep understanding of movement and well-being. Through her classes, Beverly inspired the youth to express themselves through dance while promoting a healthy and active lifestyle.
Reflecting on her experience, Beverly shared, “Joining La Casita’s family has not only exposed me to the beautiful blend of Hispanic culture, but it has also invigorated my passion for bridging dance wellness, public health, and medicine together! Teaching our youth the significant impacts of dance exercises on the human body and seeing our children immediately apply their knowledge during our sessions will always be memorable experiences for me. I am glad to be sharing the love of dance with our youth at La Casita family and the community.”
Bismarck Pacheco ’28
Major in Advertising
Bismarck Pacheco joined our Communications Team in the Spring of 2025, bringing his passion for community and a spark of the Nicaraguan spirit. Reflecting on his experience, Bismarck shared, “Ever since I stepped into La Casita, I was enchanted by its mission and the dedication of its members, which made me certain I wanted to be a part of it—not just to connect with fellow Latinos but also to contribute meaningfully to the community through communications.”
Rowel Jimenez II ’27
Dual Major in Television, Radio & Film and Management
Rowel Jiménez became a member of La Casita’s Communications Team in the Spring of 2025. Reflecting on his first experience at La Casita, Rowel shared, “When you spend so much time away from your own culture, it’s easy to forget that there’s a whole other side of yourself that you can explore. I was glad that La Casita was there to help me do that.”
George Jackson
Major in Music Performance and Sound Recording at OCC
George Jackson was a student at Onondaga Community College (OCC), where he majored in Music Performance and Sound Recording. He began playing drums at the tender age of three. After completing a summer internship at La Casita in 2024, George returned to our community as the drumming instructor in La Casita’s afterschool youth program in Spring 2025.
Amaya Tucker ’27
Major in Performance- Violin with a Minor in Business
With her graceful melodies and uplifting presence, Amaya filled La Casita with music, joy, and inspiration. As the Violin Instructor, she took pride in guiding the children through the very start of their musical journey, sharing her passion while fostering a love for music. Reflecting on her experience, Amaya shared, “During my time at La Casita, I was so grateful to be a part of the wonderful work being done there. As a student of the University, I had always wanted to find ways to give back to the local community, and La Casita served as a liaison that allowed me to do so while also inspiring the next generation through music. I was so happy to be part of the team at La Casita.”
Wilson Paula ’25
Major in Nutrition
With his hard work and intuition, Wilson Paula was a great addition to la familia! Wilson completed a Food Studies internship at La Casita, where he evaluated the center’s food needs and presented a proposal recommending ways La Casita could improve the quality of nutrition for its afterschool programs and community events. Reflecting on his time there, he shared: “I appreciated La Casita because it created a space where culture, community, and care came together to support and uplift the next generation. Being part of that mission was both inspiring and grounding.”