By Jarred Shellhouse

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Cecilia E. Suarez, assistant professor of agricultural leadership development, has been selected to serve the University of Florida’s Hispanic-Latino Affairs (HLA) office as its first “faculty-in-residence”.

Throughout her three years as a faculty member in UF’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS) department of agricultural education and communication, Suarez has developed a strong relationship with the campus’ Multicultural and Diversity Affairs office. Suarez will serve as interim HLA program director. As faculty-in-residence, Suarez will serve as a resource for students through office hours and student group advising.

Additionally, Suarez will coordinate workshops on undergraduate research opportunities and graduate school, and will lead research projects focused on Latino community experiences with agriculture and natural resources.

“I’m extremely humbled and excited to have been asked to step into this role,” Suarez said. “The Multicultural and Diversity Affairs office works really hard to create a safe and comfortable space for students who are adapting to college life, and this new role allows me to be available and support students throughout this process. I look forward to assisting students in reaching their academic goals.”

Suarez will continue her current work through the UF/IFAS department of agricultural education and communication and UF/IFAS College of Agricultural and Life Sciences. To increase her availability to students, Suarez will host many of her office hours in the Hispanic Latino Affairs office in addition to office hours in Bryant Hall.

“We are very excited to see Dr. Suarez take on this new opportunity,” said Brian Myers, professor and chair of the UF/IFAS department of agricultural education and communication. “She has consistently been a champion for students since she joined our team, and I know that she will positively impact the students she connects with as the first ‘faculty-in-residence’ for HLA.”

HLA aims to support, empower and advance the Hispanic-Latino community at UF. By offering culturally and historically relevant programming and initiatives, as well as spaces which welcome all forms of Latinidad and the broader community, HLA educates and forges solidarity between the Hispanic-Latino community and its allies.

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The College of Agricultural and Life Sciences (CALS) administers the degree programs of the University of Florida’s Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences (UF/IFAS). The mission of the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences is to deliver unsurpassed educational programs that prepare students to address the world’s critical challenges related to agriculture, food systems, human wellbeing, natural resources and sustainable communities. The college has received more total (national and regional combined) USDA teaching awards than any other institution. Visit the CALS website at cals.ufl.edu, and follow CALS on social media platforms at @ufcals.

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