The Association of University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad (UPRAA) originated practically from the need to form alumni associations of the eleven campuses of the University of Puerto Rico. This task resulted difficult because it divided rather than unify the alumni in our community. In February 2003, a group of thirteen alumni and friends of the University of Puerto Rico began the task to organize the association. UPRAA was organized in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area with the assistance of the UPR Representative in Washington DC, Ms. Betty Paugh, and the President of the UPR, Lic. Antonio Garcia Padilla.
Ms Paugh was joined by this initial group who formed the organization are known as the founders and include the following; Ms. Betty Paugh, Mr. Mario Acosta-Vélez, Dra. Margarita Benítez, Ms. Sara Clemente, Ms. Grace Dewan, Mr. Tomás Esterrich, Ms. Nalini Lamba-Nieves, Dr. Jacob Lozada, Mr. Adán Rodríguez-Arroyo, Mr. Armando Valdés-Prieto, Mr. José Vega, Mr. Javier Vélez-Arrocho, and Ms. Loida Velilla.
UPRAA became the first UPR Alumni Association to include alumni and friends from all the 11 campuses of the UPR Educational System. During the second half of 2003, the organizational group established an interim Board of Directors, completed the incorporation of the Association, and submitted the application for tax exemption, as prescribed by Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Service Code. On November 24, 2003, at a reception held at the Hall of the Americas at the Inter-American Development Bank in Washington, DC, the President of the UPR Educational System and the UPRAA Interim Board of Directors officially launched the Association.
Since its inception, UPRAA has conducted activities and membership drives in consonance with its mission statement, purpose, goals, and objectives. The Association serves as a link between UPR alumni and friends abroad and the University of Puerto Rico educational system and works towards promoting opportunities and creating a support network for its membership.
Today, UPRAA continues to be an organization in which University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends located in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area converge in fraternal union to foster common interests and support charitable and scholarship programs. As we continue to expand the organization, we aim to increase our reach beyond the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.
Our Past Presidents
Our Past Board of Directors
Mario Acosta-Velez, Dra. Margarita Benitez, Mrs. Sara Clemente, Mrs. Grace Dewan, Mr. Tomas Esterrich, Mrs. Nalini Lamba-Nieves, Dr. Jacob Lozada, Mrs. Betty Paugh, Mr. Adan Rodriguez-Arroyo, Mr. Armando Valdes-Prieto, Mr. Jose Vega, Mr. Javier Velez-Arrocho, Mrs. Loida Velilla, David Sanchez, Leonardo San Roman, Betzaida Tejada, Ana Valentin, Edgardo Cruz, Delia Cacho, Isabel Cruz, Alberto Rivera, Jose L. Fernandez, Jason Hernandez, Yomarie Correa, Lic. Carlos Mercader, Mr. Pedro Diaz, Mrs. Alida Rodriguez, Carlos Aponte, Rolando Berrios, Edelmira Bosques, Angel Toledo, Jose O. Torres, Robert Alvarez, Angelique Sina, Carmen Cantor, Frances Colon, Luis Bernal-Jimenez, Richard Negron, Franklin Carrero-Martinez, Irene Rivera, Melissa Rodriguez, Rosanna Torres, Jomar Martinez-Feliciano, Amy de Jesus, Josue Rivera, Alexandra Laureano Moenck, Wendy Torres, Antonio Diaz, Victor Martinez
Board of Directors 2023:
UPRAA unifies University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad to provide opportunities for educational development, cultural growth, and community service.
As “the Alumni Organization of Choice” and as the linkage between the University of Puerto Rico and its family of alumni across the globe, and commitment to the university’s mission of life learning, engagement, and community service.
See News and Updates