Spanish Advisor Tasha Robles received the “University Advisor of the Year” award by the Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha, Inc. This national award recognizes those university advisors that help undergraduate chapters of the sorority on their respective campuses nationwide.

“I was honored to have been nominated, let alone receive the award,” said Robles. “However, to me the best reward was seeing how well our students have done academically over the past year.”

Hermandad de Sigma Iota Alpha is a Latina Greek letter sorority whose Upsilon chapter was started at U of I in 1997. The organization strives to increase awareness of Latino and diverse cultures, to promote sisterhood and leadership among its members, and to serve as models of excellence in education and achievement among women. Its efforts include educational programming, community service, and personal development.

Robles earned her first bachelor’s degree in political science from the U of I, with a minor in Latino Studies. She also earned a second bachelor’s degree in Spanish from Northeastern Illinois University.  Additionally, she received a master’s of education degree in higher education from Loyola University Chicago.  Some of her academic interests include social justice, Latino studies, education, and gender studies.