Michigan State University program assistant for the Master’s in Educational Technology program, Maria Serrato, was recently named one of the Top 50 Latinas for 2018 in the state by the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan.
Serrato, hoping to pursue her master’s in Higher, Adult and Lifelong Education, is being honored for founding and directing Capital Area Latina Youth, or CALY. CALY is an organization dedicated to fostering empowerment, education, cultural advancement, leadership and mentorship among Latina youth in middle and high school.
“I created this organization because I knew I needed to provide a support system for my daughters,” Serrato said. “If I had had an organization like CALY when I was younger, it would have helped me arrive to where I am today much sooner.”
CALY was created in 2017, and has since provided a variety of opportunities, including meeting with civil rights activist Dolores Huerta and U.S. Supreme Court Justice Sonia Sotomayor.
Serrato is part of the inaugural cohort receiving the honor, celebrating women who have made a difference as leaders in their communities.
The women, including Erica Fiasky from MSU’s Neighborhoods Student Success Initiative, were recognized as part of the 2018 Statewide Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration on Friday.