Latin America Advisory Board endows $50K+ scholarship fund to support undergraduate students at U-M

By Sara Carrier | Photos by Marc-Grégor Campredon

As the University of Michigan’s reach continues to grow internationally, the Latin America Advisory Board has emerged as the pre-eminent committee dedicated to guiding the university’s strategic expansion and engagement throughout Latin America. Chartered in March 2024, the LAAB is a diverse group of distinguished alumni and key stakeholders who draw upon a range of identities, professional backgrounds, and countries, to offer counsel, champion philanthropic support, and ensure that Michigan’s priorities remain bold, inclusive, and responsive. This board not only forges deeper connections between U‑M and its Latin American community, but also solidifies the university’s commitment to fostering sustainable, long-term impact throughout the region—a commitment made even more tangible by the recent endowment and awarding of the Latin America Scholarship.

In fall 2025, the Latin America Scholarship Fund was endowed at $50,000 to provide merit-based scholarship support for international undergraduate students on the Ann Arbor campus who attended secondary school or junior college in Latin America (México, Central America, and South America). Upon the board’s inception, an endowed scholarship fund was a key priority to directly support students from the region. The fund marks an impactful milestone in the LAAB’s progress and impact on campus. 

To celebrate the launch of the Latin America Scholarship Fund endowment, a group of LAAB members returned to the Ann Arbor campus for their first-ever in-person quarterly meeting—a homecoming for many, as it was the first time that several members had set foot on campus since graduation. On October 17, 2025, the agenda was packed: Provost Laurie McCauley welcomed the group with inspiring remarks, followed by a dynamic panel discussion led by Office of University Development Assistant Vice President Carrie Throm featuring Dean Jacques Eduardo Nör of the School of Dentistry and Dean Neel Sukhatme of Michigan Law. The excitement continued into the afternoon, as Vice Provost Valeria Bertacco hosted a panel of international students, giving LAAB members a glimpse into the experiences of current undergraduate and graduate students who are helping shape Michigan’s global future. The day buzzed with ideas, connections, and a shared sense of pride at this new milestone for Latin American engagement and visibility at U‑M.

What impact did this homecoming have on the attending LAAB members guiding Michigan’s engagement in Latin America? For some, reconnecting with campus reaffirmed both their personal ties to the university and their commitment to cultivating Michigan spirit abroad.

Board member Gloria Claro (pictured above) expressed,

“I can’t recommend this experience enough. Take it from someone who boarded the plane a bit reluctantly—and came back 1000% convinced it was worth every minute. The University of Michigan is extraordinary, and we should do our part to make it better known and help more students experience everything it has to offer, across Latin America and the globe.”
— Gloria Claro, LAAB Member

As the Latin America Advisory Board continues to strengthen connections across the region and expand opportunities for future Wolverines, the momentum behind this work grows with every act of support. For those inspired by the board’s commitment and the impact of the Latin America Scholarship Fund, we welcome you to join us in opening doors for the next generation of Latin American leaders. Your contribution—of any size—helps ensure that Michigan remains a global hub for scholarship, and a place where international talent can thrive. If you would like to learn more about the fund or the Latin America Advisory Board, contact Daniel Rodríguez at [email protected].