Pedro A. Colón (born April 7, 1968) is a Milwaukee jurist and politician who currently serves as a judge of the Milwaukee County Circuit Court. The first Latino elected to the Wisconsin Legislature, Colón was a Democratic member of the Wisconsin State Assembly, representing the 8th Assembly District, from 1999 to 2010.^[1] In 2010, he was appointed as a circuit judge by Governor Jim Doyle.

Born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, April 7, 1968, Colón grew up on the South Side of Milwaukee and graduated from Thomas More High School in Milwaukee. He received his B.A. in political science from Marquette University in 1991, and his J.D. from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1994.^[2]

He is married to Betty J. Ulmer; they have two daughters, Lily and Julia, and live in Walker's Point. Colón is on the Board of Directors of the National Association of Latino Elected Officials.^[9]

^{From Wikipedia}

Griselda’s father was born in Mexico and her mother in El Salvador. Griselda and her sister were born in Milwaukee but moved to Mexico, where she spent her early childhood before returning to the area at age 11. The experience allowed her to be a native Spanish speaker and has helped strengthen her bond with the Milwaukee Hispanic community.

Today, she is president and CEO of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee. “I love the fact that in some way, shape or form I’m helping impact the lives of many,” she says. With her guidance, the organization is changing perceptions of Hispanics in the city and region, helping advance Hispanic professionals and build a pipeline of young talent by increasing graduation rates of Hispanic college students.

Griselda’s experience at Marquette has had a lasting impact on her. “Marquette taught me about servant leadership and challenging yourself always,” she says. “Be ethical, work hard and remember to give back.”

Marquette University Alumni Association, Alumni National Awards Weekend, 2015

Jamie Delgadillo is a man of many hats. He’s a business owner and partner, an employer, a trusted adviser, a mentor, and a confidant to many. Besides all that, he and his wife, Sarah, own Liberty Tax Service income tax preparation franchises.

“I get to help hundreds of clients build and implement financial security plans — plans for achieving retirement, education funding, personal, family and business goals,” he says. “I love to watch my clients achieve their goals and grow personally and professionally.”

“Marquette’s mission of service to others has stuck with me throughout my career,” Jamie says. “I’m crazy motivated by leaving a legacy for my children, their children and our community.”

So much so, in fact, that he and Sarah made a commitment long ago to immerse themselves in philanthropy. They have supported organizations such as Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, the Skylight Music Theatre, INROADS, the United Community Center and many more. And Jamie is serving as the 2012–13 emerging leaders council co-chair for the United Way of Greater Milwaukee.

Marquette University Alumni Association, Alumni National Awards Weekend, 2012

Mike received the Hoban-Davenport Award from Disabled American Veterans of Wisconsin in recognition of service in the advancement of employment opportunities for disabled veterans. He also received the Hispanic Man of the Year award from United Migrant Opportunities Services, for advocacy on behalf of the state’s Hispanic community.  He is an attorney with the Wisconsin Department of Safety & Professional Services, Madison, and he served as president of the Wisconsin Hispanic Lawyers Association.

From MU Magazine summer '07

Nancy Hernandez, Grad ’02, was elected to the Marquette University Board of Trustees in 2014.

She is the president and founder of ABRAZO Multicultural Marketing and Communication, a leading integrated marketing firm dedicated to connecting companies, institutions and organizations with Hispanic, African-American and Asian audiences.

Nancy developed the business plan that became ABRAZO while completing her Marquette MBA and has grown her agency into the region’s premier Hispanic/women-owned marketing company. Along the way, Nancy has received The Business Journal’s Women of Influence Award, the Biz Times Innovator Award and the Marquette College of Business Alumni Entrepreneurial Award, and her company was named the 2004 Hispanic Business of the Year by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin.

Nancy is a founding member and past president of the Hispanic Professionals of Greater Milwaukee, past president of TEMPO Milwaukee and has served on the executive committee of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Wisconsin.

A lifelong resident of Milwaukee, Nancy resides in Bayside, Wis. with her husband Andy Narrai (Grad ‘03) and daughter Delia.

Marquette University Homepage, Trustees

When he was applying to universities, Jorge — like many other first-generation college students — felt overwhelmed. Through his work today at Instituto del Progreso Latino, he’s helping other students navigate the same process that daunted him years ago.

Jorge works with first-generation, college-bound youth and their families on the southwest side of Chicago to address their concerns, help find a “right-fit” university and identify bridge programs to help them transition to college.

“An alum who graduated in 2012 visited me on a particularly difficult day and shared that he had been awarded a scholarship that would help him continue his studies at a four-year university,” Jorge recalls. “Given his undocumented status, he didn’t qualify for federal or state aid and was relying on scholarships and working to pay for school. His message was validation from the universe letting me know that I was where I was needed. It’s stories like his and many others that keep me at Instituto.”

Jorge is applying to master’s degree programs at a variety of universities, ultimately hoping to continue serving first-generation college students in a college admissions office. His experience at Marquette had an incredibly positive impact on him. “Had it not been for great supporters like my CommUNITY family and mentors like Jocelyn Sideco and Eva Martinez-Powells, I don’t think graduation would have been a reality,” he says.

Marquette University Alumni Association, Alumni National Awards Weekend, 2015

Pascual Rodriguez graduated from Marquette after earning both his bachelor’s degree in sociology and education and one of the most important awards bestowed upon students, the Leadership Award for Outstanding Contribution to Community Service from the Division of Student Affairs.

Since then, Pascual has made education his life’s vocation and has committed to serving children in Milwaukee’s Hispanic and Southside communities.

While earning a master’s degree, Pascual worked as a social studies teacher at Milwaukee’s Bay View High School and served as an adviser for the United Latino Club. He was named assistant principal at Bruce Guadalupe Community School in 2001, and then principal in 2002.

He oversees operations at this charter school that is sponsored by the United Community Center, and he enjoys witnessing the growth of students as they change from adolescents to adults. “Nothing is more fulfilling than experiencing the educational development of students. I am grateful for the opportunity to work with such a reputable agency and to contribute to the educational advancement of students within the Hispanic community,” he says.

Pascual is president of the Felix Mantilla Little League Baseball program that involves approximately 400 neighborhood children. In addition to serving his community through education and sports, Pascual is an active volunteer. He served as chair of the St. Patrick’s Parish Pastoral Council and is a member of Milwaukee’s Cultural Artistic and Musical Program Advisory Committee.

His contributions to the community were honored in 2003 when Pascual was awarded one of The Business Journal of Milwaukee’s “40 under 40” awards, in recognition of professional achievement before the age of 40.

Marquette University Alumni Association, Alumni National Awards, 2006-2009, Archive

Never underestimate the power of community. Virgilio doesn’t. As associate executive director of Milwaukee’s United Community Center, he knows how powerful partnership can be. Speaking of powerful, under Virgilio's leadership, the UCC was recently named one of the top 25 Hispanic nonprofit organizations by Hispanic Business Magazine.

Marquette University, College of Professional Studies, Awards Recipients