During the first six months of 2003, a group of alumni and friends of the University of Puerto Rico (UPR) Educational System residing and working in the Washington D.C. Metropolitan Area, diligently worked to create the Association of University of Puerto Rico Alumni and Friends Abroad (UPRAA).  Members of this group included: Ms. Betty Paugh, Mr. Mario Acosta, 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.  The most significant fact about our organization is that UPRAA is the first Alumni Association to include alumni 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.  Finally, 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.

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Our Cultural Programs

UPRAA conducts its cultural programs as independent activities or in conjunction with an educational, civic, or charity event.  These programs are designed to celebrate special events, such as Hispanic Heritage Month or specific Puerto Rican celebrations. They can also be targeted as fund raising activities to support UPRAA’s charity goals.  In some instances, UPRAA may invite cultural entities from Puerto Rico to deliver lectures on cultural issues that affect Puerto Ricans on the Island, as well as abroad, and to discuss other themes that are part of the Puerto Rican heritage. 

UPRAA may conduct its cultural programs in conjunction with other Puerto Rican organizations that promote cultural events in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area.  Most of UPRAA’s cultural activities and programs are open to the general public.  UPRAA continues to gather a list of UPR alumni and friends in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, to extend the appropriate invitation regardless of membership status in the Association. 

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Our Networking Activities

In addition to educational and cultural activities, UPRAA conducts networking activities.  These activities are helpful to individuals who have relocated to the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area. Although their education have prepared these alumni and friends to obtain employment in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, their adaptation to the new environment is essential for their career success.  Being able to network and converse with other alumni and friends that have overcome similar challenges, facilitates their prompt transition to their new environment and living conditions

Our networking activities enable attendees to exchange ideas and resolve individual situations that may be encountered by UPR alumni and friends relocating to or already residing in the Continental U.S.  UPRAA’s networking activities and programs are also open to the general public.  UPRAA continues to expand the list of UPR alumni and friends in the Washington, D.C. metropolitan area, to invite them to these activities regardless of membership status. 

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Our Scholarship Programs

UPRAA has established a scholarship program in support of outstanding students who have demonstrated academic merit and commitment to public service as well as financial need. To manage this program, we have established a Scholarship Committee, composed of one member of the Board of Directors that serves as the Chairperson and two UPRAA members-at-large.  By appointing one of the UPRAA Directors as the Chairperson, we ensure that the best interests of the Association are met.  The appointment of the remainder committee members from the UPRAA membership at-large ensures that UPRAA directives and other regulatory requirements are adhered to.

The Scholarships Committee recommends to the Board of Directors the procedures for selection and award of the scholarships to be awarded based on the Board of Directors scholarships guidelines and Internal Revenue Code 501 (c)(3) regulations. 

UPRAA coordinates with the educational institution the methodology and process to be followed for the selection of the scholarship recipient.  The educational institution receives the applications and conducts the proper screening to ensure that the applicants have met appropriate financial need and academic merit criteria and provides a list of the applicants, with proper documentation, to the UPRAA Scholarship Committee.  The funds of the scholarship will be paid directly to the educational institution on behalf of the scholarship recipient. 

Members of the Scholarship Committee are required to sign a statement that they are not relatives of candidates applying for UPRAA scholarships.  In addition, Committee members attest, in writing, that they derive no direct or indirect benefit from their participation in the UPRAA Scholarships Committee.

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