Spanish alumna named executive director of Indiana State Commission of Hispanic Affairs

When Amy Mendoza graduated from Purdue University Calumet last year, she hoped to use her Spanish degree and translation certification to make a difference in the Spanish community.

The difference she is making is affecting that community throughout the entire state of Indiana, as she recently was appointed executive director of the new Indiana State Commission of Hispanic Affairs.

Previously a translator/administrative assistant in the city of Hammond's Office of Hispanic Affairs, Amy said she applied her education everyday while doing translations, interpretations and composing office and professional documents in both Spanish and English.

On one occasion, she sought to locate affordable medical care for a severely injured Honduras man in Northwest Indiana, where several of his family members reside. She sent letters to churches and organizations to help raise funds and scouted hospitals and medical facilities to find an affordable location where the man could receive the treatment he needed.

Mendoza was successful; she found a clinic that matched the man's needs.

"Once you learn to apply your education in the real world you really see the value of it," Mendoza said. "Never be afraid to take another step further from where you are right now."

For the 23-year-old Lowell resident, her next career step has taken her to Indianapolis, where in her new position she continues to help Hispanics by focusing on matters of cultural diversity and applying her English-as-a-second language translation skills.

Purdue Calumet Professor of Spanish Geoffrey Barrow said, "Translation is a useful skill to offer an employer. Not only can students avoid cultural gaffes in an increasingly global workplace, but the large Midwest Hispanic population offers a ready outlet for this practical, valuable, linguistic skill."

Barrow added that Mendoza is a "gifted and accomplished translator."

Last summer, Mendoza attended the National Hispanic Leadership Conference in Washington, D.C.

(Written by Office of University Relations student intern Terrie Henderson)