Latino Alumni Society Announces 2026 Awardees

The Latino Alumni Society hosted its 2026 spring Méritos Latinos event on May 8. This annual event celebrates the achievements of our graduating student leaders and honors the society’s 2026 award recipients.

As a proud part of the Arkansas Alumni Association, Latino Alumni Society events are open to all U of A alumni and friends interested in coming together to celebrate community and achievement.

The ceremony was emceed by Elvis Moya and Pablo Morales. The society welcomed two student speakers, Adamarix Alvarez and Esiquil Lara Jr., who shared their stories as members of the U of A family.

Graduating Student Recognition

The Latino Alumni Society honored graduating students from across campus. U of A faculty and staff nominated these students who have proven themselves academically and demonstrated leadership and involvement. A highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of graduation stoles to outstanding graduating student leaders. The honorees are listed below, grouped by the U of A Colleges and Schools.

Dale Bumpers College of Agricultural, Food and Life Sciences

• Cris Yasiel Caballero Moreno

College of Education and Health Professions

• Rosa Esmeralda Aldana

• Anaid Espinosa

• Martina Gavier

• Esiquil Lara Jr.

• Angelita Rodriguez Dobbs

• Susana Rodriguez Gongora

• Ray Urbina

College of Engineering

• Jonatan Alcala

• Adrian Alcantara

• Ximena Castro

• Bryan Gutierrez

• Elmer Palencia

• Diego Peredo

• Christian Sandoval

• Valentina Suarez

• Isaac Torres-Medrano

• Diana Denise Trujillo

Fay Jones School of Architecture and Design

• Hailey Rodriguez

Fulbright College of Arts and Sciences

• Arianna Cepeda

• Isabel Fuentes

• Alexander Garcia

• Gisell Maldonado

• Kelly Martinez Ramirez

• Zuzuki Monarez

• Evelyn Pensamiento

• Juan Ramons

• Zulma Saldana

• Diana Salguero

• Leo Sanchez

• Liz Villamizar

Sam M. Walton College of Business

• Jesus Avila Rojas

• Isabelle Cenobio

• Alejandra Gomez

• Katie Guzman

• Matthew Manuel

• Claudia Mercado

• Ada Monteys

• Lucas Rocha Jaje

School of Law

• Adamarix Alvarez

• Maria Sandoval

Alumni and Community Awards

The Latino Alumni Society Board honored alumni and staff in three award categories. The 2026 awardees are:

• Peer Mentor Award: Miguel Marin Ponce B.S.I.B.’23, manager, marketplace finance at Walmart.

• Maurizio Lorenzetti Latino Award: Kevin Flores J.D.’19, attorney at Pearson, Sholk & Hernandez Law.

• Outstanding U of A Staff Award: Anaid Espinosa, research advancement specialist in the College of Education and Health Professions.

Latino Alumni Society: Founded in 2011, the Latino Alumni Society works to serve and recognize students, bring together friends and the community, and engage faculty and staff at the U of A. Send questions about the Latino Alumni Society, Méritos Latinos or the award or student nomination processes to alumsoci@uark.edu. 

About the University of Arkansas: As Arkansas' flagship institution, the U of A provides an internationally competitive education in more than 200 academic programs. Founded in 1871, the U of A contributes more than $3 billion to Arkansas’ economy  through the teaching of new knowledge and skills, entrepreneurship and job development, discovery through research and creative activity while also providing training for professional disciplines. The Carnegie Foundation classifies the U of A among the few U.S. colleges and universities with the highest level of research activity. U.S. News & World Report ranks the U of A among the top public universities in the nation. See how the U of A works to build a better world at Arkansas Research and Economic Development News.