Edited release
10/12/23
A University of Iowa administrator is among those being inducted into the 2012 Iowa Latino Hall of Fame this week.
According to a release from the Iowa Department of Health and Human Services, the Iowa Latino Hall of Fame was established in 2017 to recognize and honor outstanding Iowa Latinos that have contributed their talents and skills to improve the quality-of-life in Iowa and to provide visible examples for tomorrow’s Latino leaders.
Dr. Elizabeth Mendez-Shannon is the director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion at the University of Iowa. She has advocated for immigrant rights highlighting the resilience and strengths among immigrants, designing the first-ever Spanish for Social Workers, Immigration History, and Latino/a Culture classes at the University.
Mendez-Shannon is one of six individuals to be inducted Friday at 5:30 p.m. at the Des Moines Art Center, 4700 Grand Ave. A reception will follow the ceremony. The event is free and open to the public, and no registration is required.
The Iowa Department of Health and Human Services’ Community Advocacy program oversees the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs and six other commissions representing diverse populations in Iowa.