By SARA HURTADO
Successful Latinos are opening doors and guiding the next generation of Latino leaders. Students from Minnesota State attended the LatinaExpo 2026 in Chicago. The LatinaExpo, held Oct. 23-24, gave students the chance to learn from professionals across fields, network with them, and be inspired by seeing how Latinos can succeed in any field.
Geanella Ochoa, Interim Director of the Latin American Affairs office, explained how the conference creates professional opportunities for students to learn from successful Latinos and to create connections.
“We wanted Latino students to have those same opportunities,” Ochoa said.
The destination being Chicago was intentional because it is closer to Minnesota and more affordable for students. Funding from university events helps cover travel and hotel expenses.
“I don’t want finances to become a barrier for students,” Ochoa said. “We work hard, and the students work hard, to collect that money. At the end of the day, it is their money.”
The conference highlights Latino professionals from different fields, most of whom are Latinas, and they share their professional and entrepreneurial experiences. Attendees can participate in a variety of sessions that have different themes and professionals who are leading in that field. It is also a perfect opportunity to connect with people from companies, organizations, and industries.
“The speakers share their experiences and give advice on how to reach that point,” Ochoa said.
Ochoa highly encourages students to prepare for networking before attending the conference.
“I always try to have conversations with students before the conference to give them advice on networking and approaching people,” she said. “I especially want to make sure they get the most professional value out of the experience.”
Ochoa hopes students will use what they learn at the LatinaExpo to build a career early on.
“I hope students take the advice the speakers give them and apply it to their professional lives early on,” Ochoa said.
For Ochoa, representation is another important part of the experience. Seeing Latino professionals succeed can help students visualize their own futures.
“I think Latinos are capable of succeeding in every area they want to pursue,” Ochoa said.
She explained that success is not only the result of individual effort but rather a community effort.
“When you see Latinos succeeding in different areas, it is the result of many things happening behind the scenes,” Ochoa said. “It includes your own abilities, hard work, and discipline, but also the support of your community, family, friends, peers, and mentors.”
Although succeeding in certain professional spaces can be challenging, Ochoa emphasized that those challenges should not stop students from pursuing their goals. “We have to recognize that it is difficult, but it is not impossible,” she said.
Aryadai Dircio, a dental hygiene student attending the event, said, “After the first day of the expo, I felt really inspired. Seeing all these successful people united, trying to guide the next generation, gave me hope that it doesn’t matter if minority groups have to work harder to achieve their dreams; it is still possible to achieve them.”
Alondra Gonzales, a psychology major attending the event, said, “Getting the opportunity to meet professionals and connect with them was such an incredible experience because they can help guide you. They already went to college, and they know what we are about to face when entering professional life. So, having someone giving you advice and tips, someone who is rooting for your success and who had to go through what you are going through, is really inspiring.”
Cherlyn Rodrigues, a nursing student attending the event, said, “The most valuable thing I take away from the expo is that in any professional field anyone wants to pursue, there will be challenges. Some may have to face more than others, but we all face them. What makes the difference between a successful person and a normal person is the person who learns and keeps trying, even after they have fallen a million times.”
Ochoa hopes successful Latino professionals will continue supporting future generations. She also invited students to visit the university’s Multicultural Center and Latin American Affairs office to explore leadership opportunities, events, and conferences.
Photos by Sara Hurtado
