ALL THINGS WPC

t W. P. Carey, we know that business is personal. Our students learn that, too, and take their responsibility to build supportive and inclusive communities seriously. The Hispanic Business Alumni chapter (HBA), founded in 1982, is a textbook example of alumni giving their time, talent, and treasure to uplift the next generation of W. P. Carey students.

Mario Solorzano, president of the HBA, explains the many ways the chapter supports students, including scholarships, mentorship, and a network of more than 3,000 active members. “We try to foster community between current students in the Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA) and alumni,” he explains. “It isn’t just for students or just for graduates, but a way we can connect multiple generations of W. P. Carey students toward a common purpose.”

More than 100 people attended the most recent HBA alumni mixer in Phoenix. The chapter also holds several fundraisers each year that have supported more than $1 million in scholarships to date. This year, 24 W. P. Carey students are receiving financial support from the HBA. The annual Noche de Loteria takes place every fall, and is the group’s signature event alongside Mariachi Fest and the Sparky Classic Golf Tournament.

Dina de León is vice president of operations for the chapter, and knows just how important the HBA is for student success. Originally from Guadalupe, Arizona, she and her five siblings are all ASU graduates. She shares, “I went to ASU to learn, but the HBSA and HBA helped me not just learn in the classroom but also learn from other people. The mentorship is key.”

Interested in joining the HBA? Visit alumni.asu.edu/chapters and search for “Hispanic Business Alumni Chapter.”