Carlos Elizondo -- CHCI Alumnus December 2010
Carlos Elizondo
Hometown: Harlingen, Texas
Current City: Washington, D.C.
Current Job: Social Secretary to the Vice President & Dr. Biden /
CHCI Program: CHCI Fellow, 1988
Mexican Government Tourism Office, Embassy of Mexico, Washington, D.C.
What have you been doing since you finished the CHCI program(s)?
Shortly after completing my CHCI fellowship, I began working at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and after a number of events related positions at trade associations in Washington, I was fortunate enough to serve as an appointee in the Clinton-Gore Administration in both the White House and in the Office of the U.S. Chief of Protocol. Subsequently, I was the Director of Presidential Events for the President of Georgetown University. Currently, I am an appointee in the Obama-Biden Administration serving as Social Secretary to the Vice President & Dr. Biden.
What impact did your CHCI experience have on your career and development as a leader?
My vast experiences at CHCI including – exposure to our nation's capital, to other young Hispanics from various backgrounds, and to a number of Hispanic professional role models – provided me with a solid foundation for my future career path.
How have you stayed engaged in community service?
In both my professional and personal life, it has always been important to me to represent our community in a positive manner. I also think it equally important to give back to the community as I am able, as CHCI did for me. In that regard, I have been honored on many occasions to mentor and share my experiences with other young latinos/latinas, many of whom have been from my home area of south Texas. While in D.C., I have also volunteered in a number of local community organizations.
What advice would you give current and future CHCI participants?
- Remain focused
- Respect others
- Always be prepared
- Take advantage of EVERY opportunity the program and Washington, D.C. has to offer
- Build and develop relationships
- Never, never burn bridges
Where do you see yourself in the next 5-10 years?
Using the skills and knowledge that I have gained throughout my career, I hope to either be in the private sector, or own my own business. On a lighter note, as a senior alum, in 10 years I look forward to finding a great place to retire and to seeing the many accomplishments of the current and future CHCI classes. In any case, I am forever grateful for the opportunities my CHCI Fellowship provided me.
Past Alumni of the Month
Alejandra Castillo - April 2013 Alumnus of the Month
Yara Lorenzo - March 2013 Alumnus of the Month
Antonio E. Sandoval & Milagros “Mimi” Aledo-Sandoval - Alumni Couple of the Month
Abel Herrero - January 2013
Jessie Mosqueda - December 2012
Kenia Seoane Lopez - CHCI Alumnus November 2012
Hon. Liza Rodriguez - 2012 Distinguished Alumnus & October 2012 Alumnus
Melissa Chabran - CHCI Alumnus June 2012
Jessie Ulibarri - CHCI Alumnus May 2012
Congressional Staff-CHCI Alumni April 2012
Anthony Alcoser-CHCI Alumnus March 2012
Diana Mendoza-CHCI Alumnus February 2012
Betsaida Alcantara-CHCI Alumnus December 2011
Orson Aguilar - CHCI 2011 Distinguished Alumnus & September 2011 Alumnus
Cynthia T. Cruz-CHCI Alumnus August 2011
Miguel Lopez - CHCI Alumnus July 2011
Alejandro Becerra - CHCI Alumnus June 2011
Staff Members for the Harvard Journal of Hispanic Policy - CHCI Alumnus May 2011
Happy 30th Anniversary CHCI Fellowship Program!
Raul Magdaleno - CHCI Alumnus March 2011
Carlos Elizondo -- CHCI Alumnus December 2010
Ana M. Polanco -- CHCI Alumnus April 2010
Sami Hamed -- CHCI Alumnus March 2010
Couple Edition -- CHCI Alumnus February 2010
CHCI Alumni Association Chapters' Special Edition - October 2009
Edith Rocío Robles -- CHCI Alumnus August 2009
Silvia Inéz Salazar--CHCI Alumnus July 2009
Francisco J. Uribe CHCI Alumnus June 2009
Heidy Servin-Baez CHCI Alumnus April 2009
March 2009: White House Edition
William (Bill) Arce CHCI Alumnus February 2009
Stephanie Valencia CHCI Alumnus January 2009
Miguel Ayala CHCI Alumnus December 2008
Eric Rodriguez-CHCI Alumnus November 2008
Sonia Ramirez CHCI Alumnus October 2008
Mildred Otero CHCI Alumnus September 2008
Juan Ciscomani CHCI Alumus August 2008
Leo Prieto CHCI Alumnus July 2008
Octavio Saenz CHCI Alumnus June 2008
