Delgado Solórzano Named Mentor of the Year
Mamás Unidas LR has honored Dr. Edma Delgado Solórzano, assistant professor of Spanish at the University of Arkansas at Little Rock, as its Mentor of the Year.
Delgado Solórzano received the award during the Mamás Unidas LR 5th Anniversary Gala on June 22. The award recognizes her exceptional dedication, guidance, and support in mentoring and empowering individuals within the community.
“This award is being presented to Edma Delgado Solórzano for her unwavering dedication to her students’ success,” said Mayca Alvarez of Mamás Unidas LR. “As an assistant professor of Spanish at UA Little Rock, she has imparted knowledge and served as an inspiring role model, guiding her students on their academic and personal journeys. Edma’s mentorship extends far beyond the classroom. She has consistently gone above and beyond to provide support and guidance to her students, recognizing the unique challenges they may face.”
Delgado Solórzano joined UA Little Rock as a visiting assistant professor in 2014. She is the faculty mentor to the UA Little Rock Chapter of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC). From 2016 to 2019, Dr. Delgado served on the Board of Directors of El Zocalo Immigrant Resource Center and on the board of the Arkansas Humanities Council from 2017 to 2022.
She regularly collaborates with the Little Rock Chapter of LULAC, the Hispanic Women’s Organization of Arkansas (Springdale), and Mamás Unidas to develop and support programs aimed at increasing the educational attainment of Hispanic, first-generation, and non-traditional students in Arkansas. These activities include career fairs and panels, ACT preparation courses, and mini workshops on post-secondary education, financial aid, and other college preparatory subjects.
Delgado Solórzano said that mentoring is an important part of her life, a way to pay forward the many people who helped her succeed in her own life.
“I feel a debt of gratitude for all the people who supported me when I was growing up. I benefited from a lot of mentors, and I feel like it’s an easy way to pay it forward,” she said. “I feel lucky to be in this university position where my department encourages service and my colleagues have been helpful. Professors Olimpia Underwood and Rosalie Cheatham have collaborated in a lot of these activities. I feel grateful that there is support for service at this university. I’m grateful to be here and have this platform to support students in their future careers.”
