Join me in advocating for Latine students at Ohio State.

Although my giving page is no longer active, you can still donate. If you would like to provide any additional support, please make a gift here.

My name is Regina Loayza and I’m a senior at The Ohio State University studying environmental policy and decision making with a minor in Andean and Amazonian Studies. I have lived in Columbus most of my life, but my family and I are originally from Lima, Peru. Throughout my time on campus, I have served in various senior leadership roles within the Undergraduate Student Government, and as Chapter Recruitment and Retention Advisor for the Eta Theta Chapter of Lambda Theta Alpha Latin Sorority, Inc., the First and Largest Latina Sorority in the Nation. I am also a member of the 117th Class of SPHINX Senior Honorary, a student assistant at the Dr. Lal’s Carbon Management and Sequestration Center and a WAIP alum, having interned at the US Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry. Following graduation, I plan to attend law school and become a practicing environmental attorney advocating for just environmental legislation. 

Growing up in Columbus, in a predominantly immigrant community, I know how important it is to feel and foster community at the university-level as well as seek representation within predominately white spaces. A huge part of how I found my community was attending the Latine Student Success (LSS) Early Arrival Program. Starting college virtually was extremely challenging, especially as a commuter student, and being able to connect with peers, gain a basic understanding of what college would be like, as well as access to resources for students like me, made a world of a difference. As I’ve gone through my undergraduate experience, I’ve remained connected with a lot of the other students who attended, even meeting one of my best friends. You can learn more about the Early Arrival Program here. 

However, throughout the years, it’s been difficult to maintain these resources for Latine students partly due to leadership changes but mostly due to the lack of funding making it difficult to retain full-time staff that can create these programs and advocate for Latine students among university administrators. Additionally, it still isn’t very known that there are resources out there for us. In the past couple of years, the Latine Student Success Center was built in Hale Hall, and it was incredible to have a space for us to hang with peers, study and gain tutoring as well as other resources, but this space is still unknown to the wider student body. With more resources, this space could flourish and reach even more students. 

Getting through college is already difficult enough without the added barriers of being an immigrant or of a minority identity. By supporting the Latine Student Success General Program Support Fund, not only are you supporting the creation of resources and spaces for Latine students, but you’re allowing us to create community that supports current and future Buckeyes. 

Thank you for reading my story! If you have any questions, please feel free to reach out to me at Loayza.3@osu.edu.