Mays Business Online

The Texas A&M Chapter of Hispanic Business Student Association (HBSA) was originally created to serve as a liaison between Mays Business School and its students to help them develop academically and professionally. But after 15 years, it’s become more than just an academic organization—it’s a family.

“As executives [of the organization] we feel at home and that’s how we want the members to feel,” says Community Service Chair and senior accounting major Anais Ramirez. President and junior human resource management major Maisie Rivera echoes, “I love it—it’s like a family to me.”

Texas A&M HBSA members take part in Caliente, a celebration of Hispanic culture held in September.Founded in 1992, the A&M HBSA family is experiencing a surge in growth. Last year they had 57 members; this year that number has grown to 80, with more members likely as the semester progresses.

It’s an exciting season for the chapter. In November they will travel to Chicago for the organization’s national conference to learn more about diversity in business and network for future jobs and internships. Last year the A&M chapter placed third in showing spirit at the National Hispanic Business Association Conference in Los Angeles; this year they hope to take home first. Only 30 members can attend the conference, so those earning the most participation points will be selected to attend. Points are earned by attending meetings, socials, and service events.

“We really want our members to develop and grow as leaders and individuals,” Rivera says.

The A&M chapter of HBSA puts a heavy emphasis on community service. In addition to working as a team for Aggie Relay for Life and Replant, the chapter is planning a new project this fall: teaming up with A&M sororities or fraternities as well as other organizations to initiate a highway clean-up for the Bryan-College Station area.

Aggie HBSA will participate in the Maximizing Educational Development through Academic & Leadership Skills (MEDALS) program, which brings Texas tenth and twelfth grade students to A&M for a two-day program to learn more about the university. Members go even further to recruit high-schoolers to Aggieland by teaming up with Mays Program Coordinator and Faculty Adviser Sonia Garcia for a phone-a-thon each spring. During the phone-a-thon, they call potential minority freshmen to help answer any questions parents or students might have about diversity and culture at A&M.

“College is all about growing,” Rivera says. “I’m learning about my culture from A&M, even though the population at A&M is mostly Caucasian.”

Caliente is one of the ways HBSA members are trying to spread awareness and network with other student groups. In celebration of Hispanic Heritage month (September), the A&M HBSA chapter hosted Caliente, which highlighted icons and traditions of Hispanic culture. Activities included chile-eating and grito (spirited yell) contests, as well as a dance talent show. The festival was held on campus beside Rudder Fountain, and drew a crowd of diverse ethnicities and interests. Another one of their goals is to spend more time networking and conducting projects with other Aggie student groups.

“We’re a very complete organization because we focus on academics, networking, and community service,” Ramirez says.

Any A&M student interested in business or Hispanic culture can join the A&M chapter of HBSA. To learn more, visit the chapter’s website at http://wehner.tamu.edu/hbsa/.