FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 9, 2025
NEW YORK, NY — The 1931 Foundation is proud to announce Lucas Navia, a junior at the University of Michigan, as the 2025 recipient of the Joseph Matos Scholarship.
Lucas, who joined the Beta Upsilon Chapter in Fall 2023, is pursuing a double major in Sociology and Latin American/Caribbean Studies while on the pre-medical track. His academic achievements, commitment to Pan-American unity, and exemplary leadership on campus embody the spirit of the scholarship and the values of Phi Iota Alpha.
Navia currently serves as President of the Beta Upsilon Chapter, where he has led efforts to promote underrepresented cultures on campus and triple the chapter’s membership. His leadership extends beyond the Fraternity, including roles as a Diversity Peer Educator for the Michigan Housing Office of Diversity and Inclusion and a Student Coordinator for Latine Heritage Month programming. These roles have allowed him to support Latin American students at a predominantly white institution and build bridges across identities and cultures.
“I’m extremely thankful for the opportunity to receive this scholarship,” said Navia. “Given recent cuts in institutional funding to many initiatives that help support Latin American students like myself, this scholarship goes a long way in ensuring that I can continue my educational journey as I enter my senior year of college.”
Named in honor of Brother Joe Matos, Alpha Chapter ’84, the scholarship supports undergraduate and graduate brothers of Phi Iota Alpha pursuing degrees in STEM fields. Brother Matos currently serves as Regional Director, Latin America, for Siemens Energy.
For more information about the Joseph Matos Scholarship, click here.
Media Contact:
The 1931 Foundation
[email protected]
