To celebrate National Hispanic Heritage Month, we are pleased to feature this guest contribution from Dr. Giovanna Grijalva, President of the Los Diabolos Chapter of ASU:
National Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15 to October 15, acknowledging generations of Hispanic Americans who have contributed, influenced, and enriched our nation. Observing the history and culture of the current 62.1 million U.S. Hispanic population (Pew Research Center) allows for an opportunity to honor and build cultural consciousness in education. Specifically, allowing space to recognize the importance of student backgrounds and experiences to empower learning opportunities.
Since Hispanic students comprise nearly half of the K-12 student population in Arizona, it is essential to raise awareness of the Power of Culture to provide positive learning encounters and engage learners to succeed in making a positive impact in the community. As a former school administrator, the value of community partnership is equally important to address to understand student success and collaboration on cultural awareness. It is extremely important to continue developing relevant curricula and programs to recognize the critical value of implementing student cultural references in all learning experiences.
ASU Los Diablos Alumni Association believes in elevating the next generation of Hispanic scholars. Specifically, maximizing and collaborating with the community on building a mentorship network to increase educational attainment; thus, 97% of ASU Los Diablos scholars continue their studies from the first year to the second year. Los Diablos is cultivating a better innovative culture for the future! Los Diablos Scholarship was established in 1984 and is committed to assisting first-generation Latinos with academic scholarships and service to their community. Los Diablos is the official Latino chapter of ASU Alumni and is an affiliate of the ASU Foundation.
97% of ASU Los Diablos scholars continue their studies from the first year to the second year.
Los Diablos Scholars
About Dr. Giovanna Grijalva
Giovanna Grijalva joined the ASU Alumni Association National Council in July 2021. Grijalva, who earned her EdD in educational administration, is focused on furthering diverse educational needs. With more than 25 years of experience in teaching and facilitating school partnerships, she is currently a national educational trainer and equity curriculum writer. Throughout her career, Grijalva has pursued numerous roles focused on creating equity in education. She previously served as the Arizona Deputy Director of Constituency Services-Education at NALEO Educational Fund, collaborating with elected officials to promote systemic equitable policy practices. She has also served as a school administrator and executive curriculum director for the Tucson Unified School District, senior professional content specialist for Pearson Education and lecturer in ASU's Mary Lou Fulton Teachers College, among other roles. Currently, she is the Client Relations Director at ADM (Architect, Design and Management) Group where she bridges school programming with architectural designs across Arizona. As president of the Los Diablos Chapter at ASU, Grijalva advocates for Hispanic students and their families to prioritize education. She is also a member of the Arizona Hispanic School Administrators Association, American Educational Research Association and Association of Latino Administrators and Superintendents. She has received six credentials from the Arizona Department of Education.