Several members of the CLS familia were honored this week at the University’s annual Multicultural Graduation and Leadership Awards ceremony, including Academic Advising Manager Rachelle Eilers and graduating seniors Lenzy Xelhua-Ledezma and Cuauhtemoc Guizar.
Lenzy Xelhua-Ledezma is a senior graduating this Spring with a double major in Chican@ & Latin@ Studies and Health Promotion Health Equity. She is a leader in several campus organizations including the Chican@ & Latin@ Studies Certificate Students Association (ChiLaCSA), the Gamma Mu chapter of the Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc. the Professional Association of Latinx Students for Medical Career Access (PALMA), the Latine Pre-Law Students Association, and many others. She won the inaugural “Leading Latinx” award, which recognizes a student with strong connections to their community who succeeds at empowering others and excels at leadership. It recognizes the awarded student’s exceptional contributions to the Latinx community, strong leadership and mentorship skills, and a dedicated commitment to serving others.
Cuauhtemoc (“Temo”) Guizar is a senior graduating this Spring with a double major in Community and Nonprofit Leadership and Political Science
and certificates in Chican@ and Latin@ Studies and Public Policy. Temo is the current President of the Latine Student Union. He is also an Economics Policy Analyst Intern at Dane County. In spring 2023, he studied abroad in Barcelona. He has served on the Latinx Heritage Month planning committee and as a Cabinet Student Leader to the Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs. He is also a Mercile J. Lee Scholar, and an All-In Milwaukee Scholar. In summer 2023 he interned at Guidehouse in Chicago and was offered a full-time job there upon graduation. Temo won the Established Leader Award. This award recognizes an established student leader who has shown exemplary leadership, service, and commitment to the University community.
Finally, Rachelle Eilers received the Outstanding Faculty/Staff Award, which recognizes individuals who have contributed to the success and advancement of students of color and/or student of color organizations. Nominees must show dedication to students of color and/or student of color organizations that is displayed through their active participation in the campus community of color, research, and campus advocacy. Rachelle’s dedication to student success is well-known. With her leadership, the CLS Program has grown over 300% and a major in Chican@ & Latin@ Studies was established, the first in the state of Wisconsin. Rachelle co-founded the Latinx Academic Staff Association in 2019 and created and led their all-campus UW Latine graduation. She has written numerous grants and received over $80,000 funding. Rachelle is a proud board member of the Latinx Alumni Affinity Group through the UW Alumni Association and enjoys connecting with other Latinx alumni. She is the recipient of numerous awards for her service and dedication to the advancement of the UW Latine community.