The University of Central Arkansas welcomed its first Latina sorority to the campus when Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. hosted its new member presentation in April 2017.
Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. (SIA) is the University’s first Latina sorority and the second in the state. The organization inducted four new members to the UCA colony.
The University also welcomed its first Latino fraternity in December 2016, Phi Iota Alpha. That group initiated six members and hosted a new member presentation in February. Phi Iota Alpha was founded in 1931 and is the oldest Latino fraternity in the nation.
UCA created a Latino Initiative Outreach program in 2013 to develop programs and services that will increase University access and success for Latino students, as well as provide support for a greater percentage of Latino students to attend UCA and graduate. Programs and services provided since the program’s inception have been the Amigo Cup Soccer Challenge, Hispanic Heritage Month celebrations and sponsorship of the Latino Student Association. The program was also instrumental in the formation of the interest groups, Sisters in Action and Fuerza Integridad, which worked together in hopes of bringing the sorority and fraternity to campus.