Vanderbilt University Chancellor Nicholas S. Zeppos has been elected to the board of directors of Nashville organization Conexión Américas. He will serve a three-year term beginning in December 2015.
“Conexión Américas is an incredibly important conduit and connecting force for empowering Latino families and individuals as they build new lives and strengthen our vibrant Middle Tennessee community,” Zeppos said. “I am honored to be asked to serve in this capacity and for the opportunity to work in partnership with visionaries like Renata Soto and José González, who co-founded this amazing resource organization, and the community leaders who are volunteering their time to advance Conexión Américas’ mission of promoting inclusivity and integration within our increasingly diverse society and world.”
“Vanderbilt University has supported Conexión Américas for many years in many ways,” said Renata Soto, co-founder and executive director. “Having Chancellor Zeppos join our board represents an unprecedented opportunity to take our partnership—and impact—to new heights, especially in our shared goals of helping Latino and other immigrant students graduate from high school and pursue higher education.”
Conexión Américas’ mission is to assist Latino families in realizing their aspirations for social and economic advancement by promoting their integration into all aspects of life in Middle Tennessee.
The organization helps low- and moderate-income Latino families by providing comprehensive services—from information and referrals to assistance in buying a home to opportunities for developing leadership skills. In addition, Conexión Américas aids the Nashville community—including longtime residents, nonprofit groups, government agencies and businesses—by promoting the presence, contributions and challenges of Latino families in Tennessee, primarily through advocacy and public awareness efforts.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and Sherri Neal, vice president of cultural development and inclusion for Health Corporation of America, also were elected to the Conexión Américas board Aug. 14.
“We are excited to welcome Chancellor Zeppos to our board, along with Mayor Dean and Sherri Neal,” Soto said. “That people of their stature are willing to join our board is an important milestone in cementing Conexión Américas’ standing as a Nashville institution as well as in recognizing the contributions of Latino families as key pillars to the future of our city.”