Simon Salas ’79CC, ’83LAW, ’83SIPA
2025 Trailblazer Award Recipient
Simon Salas ’79CC, ’83LAW, ’83 SIPA is a three-time Columbia alumnus and the CEO of Good Samaritan Community Services, a powerful catalyst for change in South Texas that serves over 3,500 individuals and families across central and south Texas. Beyond his executive leadership experience in both New York City and San Antonio, Simon has dedicated decades of volunteer service to Columbia, has chaired the local Alumni Representative Committee (ARC), served as a regional representative for more than two decades and co-leads the local Ivy-Plus network. His passion is to support our future leaders so he focuses his outreach on high school students in non-traditional areas, a true champion of equitable education access.
Dr. Jonathan Jiménez '15MPH
2025 Emerging Trailblazer Award Recipient
Dr. Jonathan Jiménez '15MPH, Dr. Jiménez is a family physician and the Executive Director of NYC Care, the nation’s largest healthcare access program, ensuring all New Yorkers receive care regardless of immigration status or ability to pay. Operating within NYC Health + Hospitals, NYC Care has earned national recognition for advancing health equity, underscoring Dr. Jiménez’s deep commitment to public service and community well-being.
FEATURED PERFORMERS
Sabor
Established in 2003, Sabor is Columbia University’s first Latin Dance Troupe.Sabor is built around two main branches of action. On campus, the troupe leads community-wide workshops, participates in staple Columbia traditions, and puts on an annual Fall Show. The team’s second focus is community action through the Rélevé Program, which is funded entirely by the Fall Show. This two-night program invites BIPOC and FGLI high school students from the greater New York community to take their place at Columbia by learning Latin dances and receiving mentorship from the dancers. Rélevé also offers opportunities to connect with Columbia Admissions and the Financial Aid Office for pre-college support. Above all, Sabor prides itself on providing space and building community around the expression of creativity and identity in relation to Latin and Caribbean cultures.
Mariachi Leones
An El Regreso mainstay joining us for the third year in a row!
Support Our Students
LAACU Scholarship
The Latino Alumni Association of Columbia University (LAACU) is dedicated to serving the needs of the Latino community. LAACU exists to support, promote and channel the academic, social, professional and development interests of Columbia’s Latino community, both past and present. Each year, the LAACU scholarship supports the deserving Columbia College undergraduate students who have supported the University’s educational mission of diversity through demonstrated advocacy and leadership for the Latino community.
Alumbra Scholarship
The Alumbra Scholarship for Leadership in Engineering supports students who are actively engaged in the Latino/a community at Columbia. Alumbra is a Spanish word that means to shine or radiate, to bring forth light. Similarly, the Alumbra Scholarship helps equip future engineering leaders to illuminate the world with their service, intellect, and creativity. The Latino/a community is one of the most underrepresented minority groups in engineering. The Alumbra Scholarship for Leadership in Engineering, launched through the generosity of Ana B. Rodriguez '86 '88 and Marcos Rodriguez '83, and with partnership from LAACU, supports Columbia Latino/a leaders, in service of humanity.
