Southeastern instructor appointed to Latino Commission
Tuesday, January 31, 2023
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University Management Instructor Aristides Baraya
has been appointed to the Latino Commission by the Louisiana Speaker of the House,
the Hon. Clay Schexnayder.
The main objective of the commission is to identify obstacles to the effective
delivery of Louisiana state government services to Latin Americans, to propose methods
to remove those obstacles, and to present proposals to the appropriate government
entities.
“Dr. Baraya’s selection for this prestigious nomination is truly an honor for
Southeastern,” said Southeastern President John L. Crain. “It recognizes his and Southeastern’s
ongoing efforts to enhance the Hispanic community’s social and professional development.”
As Director of the Latin American Business and Development Initiative, Baraya works daily to develop the potential of Hispanic youth through the Hispanic Leadership Program his office has been developing with Hispanic high school youth from various parishes
across the Northshore region. The program, he said, goes beyond the traditional instruction
of leadership courses by providing Latino youth with the tools and resources to develop
educational opportunities and become influential community leaders, giving Hispanic
youth real-world learning experiences.
“The Hispanic community has made significant contributions to the development
of our great nation and has an essential role to play in today’s US economic and social
success,” he said. “Empowering social development and leadership to the Hispanic community
will bring enormous opportunities to Louisiana.”
Baraya is a member of the Board of Directors of the Hammond Area Economic and
Industrial Development District, a member of the Board of Advisors National Scientific
and Academic Council of University for Distance Education, a member of the Southeastern
Diversity and Inclusion Advisory Council, and the Southeastern faculty advisor of
the Association of Latin American Students.
A resident of Hammond, Baraya was named one of Louisiana’s top 100 successful
Hispanic citizens by “Vocero News of New Orleans,” and a participant of the U.S. Senate
National Hispanic Summit.