CATIE's graduate students have new representation 

• The Student Council 2024-2025 was sworn in on Friday, May 24. 

In a ceremony held on Friday, May 24 in the Honduras Classroom of CATIE's Graduate School, the new Student Council was sworn in to advocate for the interests of the students of the different master's and doctoral programs for a period of one year. 

The new president of the Council, Lasmit Cerón Cancharis, expressed that they assume the position "with great enthusiasm and commitment to serve our students in the best possible way. My goal will be to be a strong and representative voice advocating for their interests and needs. We will work closely with the administration and faculty to implement initiatives that improve the quality of student life, foster a sense of community, and support the personal and academic development of all." 

During the swearing-in ceremony, the director of the Graduate School, Dr. Mariela Leandro reminded the new student representation of the importance of multiculturalism at CATIE. "We represent people with different traditions and customs, and it is very important that you as representatives of the entire student community try to ensure that all people are always respected and heard in an equitable manner and that there are opportunities for all," she said. Leandro also emphasized the need for joint work between students and the Graduate School authorities to achieve the goals of the student community and the institution. 

The ceremony was also attended by the director of the Education Division, Dr. Fernando Casanoves, the director of the Division of Research for Inclusive Green Development, Dr. Laura Benegas, and the student Guido Iván Chaparro, representing the outgoing Student Council. 

The new Student Council is composed of Lasmit Cerón (president), Mariaclara López (vice president), Joshua Baeza (secretary general), Ada Rachel Escobar (treasurer), María de la Luz Pérez (academic affairs member), Erwin Alexis Mejía (professional affairs member), Lesly Urbina (culture and relations member), Jaime Caballero (sports and recreation member), Tania Lasso (student life member), Kenneth Barboza (environmental member), Lauren Luján (communication member), Ana Melisa Urquía (doctoral representative) and María Fernaira Meléndez (fiscal member).