Everton Prospere (he/him) is a junior from Valley Stream, NY, double concentrating in Hispanic Studies and Political Science. Growing up in a Spanish-speaking household, Everton’s upbringing has caused him to maintain a close connection to his background and pursue a career in law and public service. He is currently studying abroad in Santiago, Chile, for the fall semester of 2025, diving deeply into the full experience of Hispanic culture. Outside the classroom, Everton participates in voting advocacy organizations, plays on the club tennis team, and is a conductor in the Brown Band. He is thrilled to help promote and organize Hispanic Studies concentration-related events this year with the rest of the DUG!

Lila Rizvi (she/her) is a senior from Providence, RI, concentrating in Health and Human Biology and Hispanic Studies. For her, learning Spanish is not only a way to explore different cultures, try new foods, and dance to good music, but also a means of connecting with more people and helping to bridge gaps in the healthcare field. During the Spring semester of 2025, she studied abroad in Santiago, Chile and lived with a Chilean family which was an incredibly meaningful experience. Outside of the classroom, she is an EMT with Brown EMS, a member of the Club Tennis team, and an avid hiker. She hopes to travel more in Central and South America in the future to experience their rich cultures and beautiful landscapes. As a member of the Hispanic Studies department, she volunteered at the Festival de Literatura Iberoamericana en Providence (FLIP) in April 2024. This year, she is very excited to engage more with the Hispanic Studies department, planning events and meeting more students in the HISP community.  

Alexia C. Sánchez Contreras (she/her/ella)  is a senior from Edinburg, Texas, and also calls Tamaulipas, Mexico, home. She is concentrating in Hispanic Studies and Public Health (UG/MPH). On campus, Alexia serves as a Community Coordinator for first-year students, a Teaching Assistant for Introduction to Public Health, and a research assistant at the School of Public Health, where she primarily works with  Latinx populations and Spanish-speaking participants. As an active member of the Hispanic Studies department, her chronicle “Desde una distancia segura,” originally written for HISP 1290X: Entre el mundo y el yo, was selected as one of the fifteen finalists in the first edition of the Premio Nuevas Plumas Estados Unidos at FILNY in Fall 2025. She is also completing a UTRA with Professor Iris Montero titled “Searching for the First Indigenous Naturalists.” In her final year at Brown, Alexia is excited to be part of the DUG and to help organize events for the Hispanic Studies community!

Favor Ufondu (she/her) is a senior from Stroudsburg, Pennsylvania, double concentrating in Hispanic Studies and Health and Human Biology. Her healthcare career aspirations fuel her desire to bridge communication barriers for Spanish-speaking patients. She uses her Spanish when volunteering at Rhode Island Free Clinic, the George Wiley Center, and in her role as an EMT with Bristol Fire and Rescue Department. On campus, she TAs/tutors for a variety of biology courses and does racial health equity research. Outside the classroom, she likes to cook, read, and is studying to become a certified personal trainer. She is beyond excited to engage more with the Hispanic Studies department this year.