Indianapolis, Indiana – At Marian University, a lady of Colombian descent is pushing the boundaries of education.
Marian University’s Latino Initiative, which supports Hispanic students’ success, is directed by Manuela Salazar.
Salazar is a proud Colombian immigrant.
She is a pioneering Latina in Indiana and a leader in her community.
According to Salazar, she is committed to improving Hispanic families via education.
“Being able to see the students, see them graduate, achieving higher education, it really makes a difference,” Salazar said.
Salazar is the inaugural executive director of Marian University’s Latina leadership program. Her main goal is to give more Hispanic students, particularly first-generation college students, access to higher education.
It’s crucial, she argues, to speak with them in their language. “For them to feel welcome here, that this is a safe space for them and that they can ask all the questions that they have. If the parents didn’t have the opportunity to go to college, this is new for them.”
Salazar worked for the Girl Scouts of Central Indiana for three years before starting her job at Marian University in 2019. She oversaw a widely acclaimed initiative that encourages the empowerment of Latina women while serving as the organization’s director of community engagement.
“To be able to see that they are doing it in different cities in the U.S. is, like, I feel so proud I worked on that and I think that was the step I needed to get into Marian.”
“That’s where I found my passion basically just working with the Latino community.”
Salazar has organized numerous activities for Spanish students at the university.
At the Dia de la Family event in September of last year, hundreds of youngsters and their families learned how to complete college applications without spending any money.
“It’s a big responsibility. You know, the Latino community is growing in the United States in general and just having the opportunity to do something intentional, this job is not just a job where you go and get paid. It’s more like a mission.”
For Latina immigrants who wish to realize their aspirations, she has some advise. “It can be very scary to move to a different country, to learn a new language, but you have to trust yourself and leave those fears behind.”
Salazar expresses excitement for what is ahead for her Marian University pupils.
