About Us

Welcome! Bienvenidos! The Office of the Dean of Students works closely with colleagues across grounds to meet the needs of our Latino/Hispanic and Latin American students. Latino/Hispanic and Latin American students, both undergraduate and graduate, create a diverse and dynamic community here at the University of Virginia. Our mission within the Office of the Dean of Students (ODOS) is to work with L/HA students to accomplish the following mission.

Mission

To help L/HA students create a strong sense of community so that they can experience a supportive cultural environment that will encourage their full participation within the larger University community.

We achieve this mission by working with L/HA students individually, collectively, and through student organizations to assist them in their personal and leadership development. There are a number of Latino/Hispanic and Latin American-focused student organizations (CIOs) here at the University that seek to meet the needs of L/HA students. The Latino Student Alliance (LSA) is the umbrella organization for all L/HA CIOs on Grounds.

The Office of the Dean of Students also supports student-run programs and initiatives. These include the following:

  • Latino/Hispanic Peer Mentoring Program
  • Hispanic Heritage Month
  • Latino Awareness Week (a week of programming each spring)
  • La Gala: A recruiting event promoting community building for Alumni and current and prospective students (Sponsored by: Office of Admissions, Alumni Association/Bolivar Network Affinity Interest Group and the Office of the Dean of Students)
  • Leadership and Organizational Development Conference for Multicultural Students (LODC)
  • Leadership Transition Retreat for executive board members (LTR)
  • Despedida/Farewell: Ceremony to recognize and transition leaders within L/HA CIOs
  • Graduation Program/Felicitaciones: A special ceremony to recognize the achievements of L/HA graduates
  • Community Outreach and Mentoring Program for Latino/Hispanic Youth in Charlottesville (run through Madison House)

We encourage you to visit the Office of the Dean of Students in Peabody Hall if you have questions or concerns about getting involved on Grounds, interpersonal issues, identity and/or career exploration, professional and leadership development, or anything else that pertains to your experience at the University of Virginia.

Contact:

Phoebe Haupt-Cayasso
434.924.7427 · phoebe@virginia.edu
Program Coordinator
Multicultural Student Services
Office of the Dean of Students
Shelly Gibson
434.924.7133 · mhl8s@virginia.edu
Assistant