Mayor bestows 2023 Hispanic Heritage Award on Alejandra Balcázar

By Pamela Gorsuch on October 5, 2023

This week, Baltimore City Mayor Brandon Scott presented Alejandra Balcázar with a 2023 Hispanic Heritage Award. The award recognizes Balcázar’s contributions toward advancing education in the Latine/x community.

Balcázar leads TU’s Latine/x Student Development Program within the Center for Student Diversity. The program offers resources and events to support students from Latine/x backgrounds in pursuing academic and professional success. Since assuming her role last year, Balcázar has launched monthly programming to strengthen community engagement, increase educational opportunities and foster a sense of belonging. One such program, a Cafecito & Chat speaker series, brings in Latine/x professionals to help students develop networking skills and cultivate internship and job opportunities.

“Alejandra demonstrates an unwavering commitment to supporting and advocating for the needs of Latine/x and undocumented students,” says Rhea Roper Nedd, Ph.D., director of the Center for Student Diversity. “She has been instrumental in creating a safe, inclusive and empowering environment to ensure students have access to resources and opportunities necessary to succeed in their education and in life.”

Balcázar is one of five individuals honored with the 2023 award, which is hosted by the Baltimore City Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs (MIMA). The awards recognize members of Baltimore’s Hispanic and Latino community who have made outstanding contributions toward improving the community’s quality of life. Balcázar is the only 2023 honoree recognized in the award’s educator category.

Balcázar says TU’s students are the inspiration behind her work.

"I am deeply thankful for this recognition and for my partnerships with our exceptional Latine/x students and organizations,” Balcázar says. “Through initiatives like Comunidad and the Latine Leaders Workshop, I remain committed to nurturing our students' talents, supporting their future successes and helping them achieve their aspirations."

CELEBRATING TU'S LATINE/X COMMUNITY

Connect with Latine/x changemakers, events and resources throughout Hispanic Heritage Month.