Celebrating the Past, Looking to the Future
Each year the Texas A&M Hispanic Network gathers for the Annual Summit. This is a forum to allow former students to hear updates from the University, provide feedback and learn about the key issues affecting Hispanic students – both aspiring Aggies and current students. Lastly, the event is geared to provide a networking opportunity between and among current and former students. The objective is to build mentoring relationships and enhance the success of Aggies everywhere before and after graduation. Click the link below to register for the Summit on April 12th, 2025. If you are also interested in joining us for the Gala that evening, please click the corresponding link. More info about the Gala can be found here.
Summit Schedule
Our program will continue to be updated as details finalize. Below is the preliminary itinerary. Keep checking back for updates!
Saturday, April 12th, 2025
| 8:00 am | Breakfast and Check-in |
| 8:45 am | Colors and Welcome |
| 9:00 am | Update from University Leadership |
| 10:00 am | Break |
| 10:15 am | Scholarship Recipient Spotlight |
| 10:30 am | The Next 20 Years: A Bright Future for Hispanic Aggies (Panel Discussion) |
| 11:30 am | Family Legacy, Vacanva, Silent Auction |
| 11:45 am | Invocation |
| 12:00 pm | Keynote Speaker: Rolando Santos |
| 1:00 pm | Speed Networking |
| 1:45 pm | Election, Upcoming Events |
| 2:00 pm | Closing Remarks |
Keynote Speaker
ROLANDO H. SANTOS
CEO (retired) with forty-five years of experience in Journalism, broadcast news production, and multi-platform content generation with an extensive emphasis on senior management, new business development, new business launches, merger transitions, and Senior Executive mentoring.
Texas A&M Hall of Fame
Inductee Texas A&M Journalism Hall of Fame and former member of the President’s International Advisory Board at Texas A &M University
Emmy Winner
Emmy award-winning producer, news anchor, and reporter. Twice named as one of the most influential Hispanics in the United States by Hispanic Magazine.
News Production
First Hispanic in the U.S. to lead a fully distributed cable news network (CNN HEADLINE NEWS). Launched FOUR 24-hour news networks on four continents in three different languages; also named to Hispanic Business Magazine Corporate Elite for three consecutive years.
Magician
Past President of the International Brotherhood of Magicians, the world’s largest magic organization. He is the recipient of the I.B.M. Medallion of Honor, the highest award for advancing the Art of Magic, one of only eight in the organization’s 100-year history.
Transformative LatinA Leaders
Panelists for The Next 20 Years: A Bright Future for Hispanic Aggies
Assistant Provost of Strategic Educational Partnerships At Texas A&M
Elsa Gonzalez, Ph.D.
Dr. Elsa Gonzalez is Assistant Provost of Strategic Educational Partnerships and an Associate Professor in the College of Education & Human Development and at Texas A&M University. She is the author of over hundred publications; her research interests include access, resilience, retention, graduation, and workforce development in STEM fields; HSI institutions; and higher education leadership.
In 2020, she was awarded a CAREER grant award for her project, “Broadening Participation in STEM: A Qualitative Analysis of Resilience Experiences and Strategies of Latina STEM Majors in HSIs” from the National Science Foundation (NSF). She is lead author of the book “An Asset-Based Approach to Advancing Latina Students in STEM: Increasing Resilience, Participation, and Success”, which was awarded the 2022 Book of the Year by the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education (AAHHE). In 2023, she was named by Diverse Issues in Higher Education as one of the 25 Most Outstanding Women in Academia and recognized with the NSF Director’s Award for Superior Accomplishment.
Senior Vice President at Comerica Bank
Monica Cuellar Menzel
Monica Cuellar Menzel, Senior Vice President at Comerica Bank, has been in banking for her entire career, holding a variety of positions in Marketing, Accounting and Finance for 30 years. In her current role, she manages budgeting and forecasting activities for over $1 Billion of expense for Comerica Bank. In her corporate career, she has held co-chair roles of Employee Resource Groups for Hispanic employees at Comerica and previously at JPMorgan Chase. She also serves on the Board of Directors for the Dallas/Ft. Worth Minority Supplier Diversity Council and the DFW Hispanic 100. A proud Texas Aggie, Monica received her Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Marketing from Texas A&M University and currently serves as President of the Texas A&M Hispanic Network, an alumni group dedicated to college recruitment, scholarship fundraising and enhancing the Texas A&M Hispanic student experience. Monica’s happy place in anywhere in the great outdoors with her family and friends.
President & CEO, Latino Donor Collaborative
ANA VALDEZ
Ana Valdez is a trailblazer who bridges business, media, and cultural advocacy with unparalleled
expertise. Currently serving as the President and CEO of the Latino Donor Collaborative (LDC), Ana
stands at the forefront of reshaping America’s economic narrative by spotlighting the transformative
power of the Latino community. A strategic thought leader with 30 years of experience, Ana’s career spans from roles at Nielsen, Banamex (now Citibank), the United Nations Organization in Geneva, and the U.S. Clinton Administration.
Ana’s achievements have earned her numerous accolades. Recognized as one of the Top 10 Latinos
in America by Hispanic Magazine in 2018, a Top 50 Most Influential Latina in 2020, and among the
Fifty Most Powerful Latinas in 2022, she was most recently honored as the LA Business Journal’s
2024 Woman CEO of the Year, and the 2024 Inspirational Leader by the LA Times. In 2023, she
co-authored the best-selling book “Extraordinary Latinas” and was featured in CNBC’s book “In
Pursuit of Success”.
F.A.Q.
Frequently Asked Questions
There are many great hotels in the Bryan/College Station Area. We recommend staying at The George or Cavalry Court, as they are in close proximity to our Gala. Other hotels in the area are the Texas A&M Hotel & Conference Center, The Stella Hotel, and The LaSalle Hotel.
Parking information will be released closer to the event.
Yes! We can use volunteers for setup before the event, help with check-in and other tasks during the event, and help with break down after the event. If you are interested in volunteering, please reach out to president@tamhn.org.
The Summit will tak place inside The Association of Former Students Building. The address of the hotel is: 505 George Bush Dr, College Station, TX 77840.
The Summit is open to ALL Aggies.
