National Association Provides $18,000 in Free Memberships to Latino Graduates

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – This spring some 2012 University of Arkansas graduates will receive more than a diploma.

The Association of Latino Professionals, the largest Latino professional association in the nation, will award 150 graduates in the Latino Alumni Society at the University of Arkansas a free membership to the Northwest Arkansas professional chapter of ALPFA. Each membership is worth $120, with the gift totaling approximately $18,000. 

“I thank ALPFA for extending these one-year complimentary memberships to the Latino and Latin American graduates,” said Luis Restrepo, University of Arkansas assistant vice provost for diversity and president of the Latino Alumni Society. “This is a mutually beneficial partnership that will help both ALPFA and [the Latino Alumni Society] grow stronger, by working together to provide the support and networks that our graduates could benefit from.”

"We are in the business of building leaders at every phase," said Manny Espinoza, chief executive officer of ALPFA. "To provide access to the professionals of ALPFA and the skills needed to have a competitive edge is critical. Offering these students a complimentary membership is a step in the right direction for developing the next generation of business and community leadership.”

As a member of the Association of Latino Professionals, graduates will have access to a national network of more than 19,000 members and 40 chapters spread throughout the country. Members also receive access to an online career center, discounts to the ALPFA National Convention, a subscription to Hispanic Business Magazine and scholarship, mentorship and internship opportunities. At the local level, the Northwest Arkansas chapter hosts monthly leadership seminars with some of the area’s top executives, networking receptions and leadership development programs.

“Getting involved with ALPFA has been the best decision I made during college,” said Maria Laura Garcia, 23, economics and marketing graduate and member of the Marketing and Communications Committee of the Northwest Arkansas ALPFA chapter. “ALPFA has developed me as a leader, provided me with resources to differentiate myself from the crowd and a direct connection to all kinds of successful business professionals. I am excited to continue with ALPFA into my professional career.”

The Northwest Arkansas ALPFA chapter is ranked as one of the top performing chapters in the country, competing with chapters from large cities such as New York and Chicago. It was started with fewer than 70 members in 2008 at Walmart by Adam Arroyos, now president of the Northwest Arkansas ALPFA chapter and president of the ALPFA Institute at the Sam M. Walton College of Business at the University of Arkansas. In 2011, the chapter reported more than 600 members and was honored as chapter of the year at the national convention. With the addition of the Latino Alumni Society graduates at the University of Arkansas and graduates from NorthWest Arkansas Community College, the chapter has skyrocketed to more than 1,900 members.

"These graduates are the future leaders in Northwest Arkansas and abroad," Arroyos said. "We are excited to have them on board so they can begin to develop into the business and community leaders that the global marketplace desperately needs."

About ALPFA: Established in Los Angeles in 1972, ALPFA is the first national Latino professional association created in the United States and is the proud sucessor of the American Association of Hispanic Certified Public Accountants. ALPFA provides its members the foundation to advance Latino leadership through access to opportunities and the individuals that can impact them throughout their careers. Today, with more than 19,000 members, including chief executive officers, chief financial officers and board members, through 40 professional chapters and 90 student chapters on campuses around the nation, the organization has the largest member base and footprint among professional associations for Latinos. For more information on ALPFA, or to become a member visit www.alpfa.org. For more information on the Northwest Arkansas chapter, go to www.alpfanwa.org.