Latinx Leadership Institute (LLI)

Launched in spring 2018, the Latinx Leadership Institute (LLI) is an 8-week, student-facilitated, cohort-based leadership development program designed for first-year, second-year, and third-year transfer students interested in exploring leadership through the lens of emerging Hispanic/Latinx leaders. Recruitment occurs in the fall, with sessions typically held in the spring semester. The program culminates in a final presentation where participants share the findings of a semester-long project addressing issues within the Hispanic/Latinx community.

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LLI Team photo

Mission 

The Latinx Leadership Institute fosters personal growth, leadership development, and meaningful connections. We enhance professional skills, deepen understanding of Latinx cultures, and translate leadership potential into action. Through these efforts, we equip students to thrive as leaders and seize opportunities at UVA and beyond.

The three pillars of LLI:

  • Professional Enhancement
  • Hispanic/Latinx Cultural Understanding
  • Leadership Development

Current Executive Team

Co-Director: Kiara Barrientos
Co-Director: Sofia Quint-Gutierrez
Secretary: Vincent Martinez
Treasurer: Anthony Ferrufino Cruz
Program Engagement Co-Director: Juan Gomez
Program Engagement Co-Director: Kayla Kline-Polio
Program Engagement Co-Director: Olivia Mangini
Social Outreach & Recruitment Co-Director: Amy Privado
Social Outreach & Recruitment Co-Director: Keiry Lazo

Get Involved

Applications for the 2024-2025 LLI cohort are no longer being accepted. Applications for the 2025-26 cohort will be open September 2025.

For more info or questions, contact Carissa Temerson, Assistant Director of Multicultural Student Services, at [email protected].

Previous Executive Teams

The 2023-2024 Executive Team

Julianne Kirby, Kristabel Villegas, Olivia Grace Mangini Garcia, Anthony Ferrufino Cruz, Kiara Barrientos, Sofia Quint, Juan Gomez, Vincent Martinez

The 2022-2023 Executive Team

Jaime Trejo-Angeles, Olivia Grace Mangini Garcia, Anthony Ferrufino Cruz, Julianne Kirby, Kristabel Villegas, Kiara Barrientos, Jose Sanchez, Diana Moreno, Sofia Quint

The 2021-2022 Executive Team

Magin Sanchez, Cady de la Cruz, Diana Moreno, Elizabeth Aramayo, Alicia Land, and Jonathan Swap (from left to right)

Magin Sanchez, Cady de la Cruz, Diana Moreno, Elizabeth Aramayo, Alicia Land, and Jonathan Swap (from left to right)

The 2019-2020 Executive Team

Hannah Shartel, Natalie Cordero, Stephanie Gernentz, Lauren Faloni, Ximena Juarez, Stefan Lizarzaburu

The 2018-2019 Executive Team

Latinx Leadership Executive team 2018-2019

Front Row from left: Ximena Juarez, Natalia Heguaburo, Lauren Faloni, Alex Cintron
Back Row from left: Hannah Shartel, Hector Quijano (Executive Director), Mel Borja

The 2017-2018 Executive Team

  • Hector Quijano - Executive Director
  • Alex Cintron - Co-Director of Programming
  • Lauren Faloni - Co-Director of Programming
  • Raquel Talbott - Director of Operations
  • Vicky Stagnaro - Director of Recruitment
  • Natalia Heguaburo - Director of Public Relations