In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Lambda Theta Phi — the first nationally recognized Latino fraternity in the United States — highlights the chapter’s role in building community, cultural awareness and leadership on campus.
Vice President Chris Alvarez, a junior majoring in architecture, spoke about their chapter at Iowa State. As Latino students at a predominantly white institution (PWI), he shares his personal journey with finding acceptance on campus, and reflects on leadership, identity and community.
“We embrace our legacy and our history as Lambdas; that is something we take pride in,” Alvarez said. “As a minority, you are part of something bigger than yourself. It is very inspiring as a student.”
At a PWI, where Latino students often feel underrepresented, Lambda Theta Phi’s mission is to protect the rights of Latino students, promote brotherhood and Latino culture and maximize leadership opportunities. Its principles are unity, respect, brotherhood, pride and culture.
President Jandiel Flores, a sophomore in kinesiology and health, emphasizes that the fraternity promotes Latino culture through inclusive events and traditions aimed at the bigger community around them.
“We are proud of our culture,” Flores said. “Whether we are doing events through food, music, or tradition, everyone is welcome. It is about promoting our roots and uplifting our community.”
Alvarez and Flores credit their cultural upbringing as a major influence on their leadership styles. For Alvarez, it is in his family.
“As a Mexican, we tend to be very direct,” Alvarez said. “In my household, for example, my dad would always be the leader. That philosophy helped guide my leadership skills. He never depended on anyone else; he built a path for me and my family.”
Both Alvarez and Flores shared the same memorable moment in their fraternity journey, which was crossing night. The crossing night is the ceremony where the brothers become initiated.
“As VP, the day we became brothers felt like I solidified a brotherhood,” Alvarez said.
Flores agreed. The fraternity was building a community.
“Crossing night was where we realized this was more than just a frat,” Flores said.
Both of these leaders spoke openly about the challenges Latino students face, especially at a PWI. Some of the common struggles include representation, isolation and the financial stress that a lot of first-generation students carry with them.
“[Many Latino students] lack the sense of belonging,” Alvarez said. “It was hard to find my group of friends. I feel like we were not represented. In a way, we were pushed aside with the recent crackdowns on DEI.”
Flores shared different concerns.
“A lot of Latino students are first-generation,” Flores said. “A lot of our systems were built without Latinos in mind. Overall, we build a community and push each other to stay focused. Which is not what one Latino can do by themselves; it takes multiple to uplift each other.”
For Alvarez, a first-generation college student, the drive to succeed in college stems from his parents and his role as an oldest sibling to be a role model.
“My parents’ story shaped mine,” he said. “They didn’t have education in Mexico; they pushed me to attend college in the first place.”
Flores draws motivation from his upbringing, striving to succeed for himself and those around him.
“My background is dependent on taking charge and initiative when it matters,” Flores said. “My parents taught me to be the best version of myself, to do things not only for myself, but for other Latinos that I represent.”
As Hispanic Heritage month comes to an end, it’s important to remember that these are lived experiences — not just stories to be highlighted once a year, but realities Latino students face every day.
Alvarez and Flores remind us that leadership, community and identity are not separate; they are intertwined. Together, these ideals create a more inclusive campus.
