Co-Chair
Marina E. Castro
4th Year
Biology
LaGrange, IL
castro.marina@uchicago.edu
Reason in Mecha: M.E.Ch.A. is a community, if not a second home on campus for me. M.E.Ch.A. as an organization is an advocate for social justice, activism, cultural awareness and promotion, education, but most importantly M.E.Ch.A.’s involvement relies on the interests of our members. As one may see, M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago addresses several issues. At first I was hesitant to join an organization that appears to not have a focused mission. However, as I slowly delved myself more and more into M.E.Ch.A., I realized that M.E.Ch.A. does indeed have focused goals and a mission-- aside from that listed in its bylaws. For what I have experienced, M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago's mission is to address all issues that its members deem imperative to the community and its goals revolves about manners in which M.E.Ch.A.'s members may effectively tackle any said issue. Yes, that seems rather broad. However, if there is anything that I have learned from being exposed to such a wide spectrum of beliefs, is that M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago creates an environment that permits students to fervently express themselves openly about their beliefs. In other words, M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago allows an individual to flourish and further develop his/her passions and ideas, which in itself allows one to grow. I joined M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago because it creates an environment that helps me grow as an individual thinker and leader.
Reason in Mecha: M.E.Ch.A. is a community, if not a second home on campus for me. M.E.Ch.A. as an organization is an advocate for social justice, activism, cultural awareness and promotion, education, but most importantly M.E.Ch.A.’s involvement relies on the interests of our members. As one may see, M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago addresses several issues. At first I was hesitant to join an organization that appears to not have a focused mission. However, as I slowly delved myself more and more into M.E.Ch.A., I realized that M.E.Ch.A. does indeed have focused goals and a mission-- aside from that listed in its bylaws. For what I have experienced, M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago's mission is to address all issues that its members deem imperative to the community and its goals revolves about manners in which M.E.Ch.A.'s members may effectively tackle any said issue. Yes, that seems rather broad. However, if there is anything that I have learned from being exposed to such a wide spectrum of beliefs, is that M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago creates an environment that permits students to fervently express themselves openly about their beliefs. In other words, M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago allows an individual to flourish and further develop his/her passions and ideas, which in itself allows one to grow. I joined M.E.Ch.A. de UChicago because it creates an environment that helps me grow as an individual thinker and leader.
Lissette Castillo
4th Year
Political Science
Brownsville, TX
castillo1@uchicago.edu
4th Year
Political Science
Brownsville, TX
castillo1@uchicago.edu
Fabiola Salazar
4th Year
4th Year
Political Science
Chicago, IL
fsalazar@uchicago.edu
Bio: She has been a member of MEChA since 2010. On campus she is also involved with University of Chicago Careers in Business and plans to pursue a career in finance. In her free time, Fabiola enjoys bike riding, eating, and baking.
Bio: She has been a member of MEChA since 2010. On campus she is also involved with University of Chicago Careers in Business and plans to pursue a career in finance. In her free time, Fabiola enjoys bike riding, eating, and baking.
Secretary
Edwin Abundis
4th Year
Political Science
Chicago, IL
eabundis@uchicago.edu
Community Engagement Chair
Victoria Vasquez
4th Year
Spanish
Los Angeles, CA
Co-Publicist
Melissa Velasquez
4th Year
Biology
Miami, FL
Reason in MEChA: I joined MEChA because I wanted to meet more Latinos on campus who had a similar mentality to mine. I like that we focus on a wide scope of topics such as immigration, education, and even healthcare. I also enjoy the close-knit community that MEChA fosters.
Mariela Camarillo
4th Year
Biology
Cypress, Texas
marielabereniz@uchicago.edu
Historian
Valentina Solano
4th Year
Comparative Human Development
Chicago, IL
vsolano@uchicago.edu
Reason in MEChA: I seeked for a community that shares my Mexican culture and interests in activism, education, and prominent issues in the community. MEChA helps my personal development as a student without losing my cultural identity.
Reason in MEChA: I seeked for a community that shares my Mexican culture and interests in activism, education, and prominent issues in the community. MEChA helps my personal development as a student without losing my cultural identity.
Diana Lozano
2nd Year
Comparative Human Development & Public Policy
Chicago, IL
dzlozano@uchicago.edu
Reason in MEChA: MEChA satisfies my desire for a strong Latino community and my desire to be involved in social justice campaigns. It is one of my favorite communities on campus. <3
