Monique Rivera is Renaissance woman. Besides working full-time developing and implementing strategies to create an inclusive environment at the University of Illinois, she is an active volunteer who serves on the board of the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum and the campus YWCA. Rivera is also passionate about social justice, environmentalism, vegetarianism, and philanthropy. She speaks both Spanish and French, and has a love for photography, travel and her 10-year-old son.
See why we think Monique Rivera is a Chambana mom to know. 
Q: You are on the board of the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum, a great resource for our community. Why should the rest of us support the Orpheum?
As a parent, former educator, and community member, I feel invested in supporting many of our local resources, especially those that enrich the lives of children. With its important mission – to inspire, engage and educate children through exploration of science and the arts – and its innovative programming, the Orpheum Children’s Science Museum offers learning opportunities to children, with an emphasis on exploration, natural learning, and wonder. With a decrease in funding for field trips, the Orpheum also serves as a resource for teachers and their students, and grants an opportunity for them to grow together in their knowledge about the world. Community partnerships are key in sustaining the Orpheum’s presence in our community. As an example, the Sun Singer 7th Annual Gala Wine Tasting will take place this Wednesday, October 20, from 5:00 PM to 8:30 PM at the iHotel, featuring more than 250 wines from around the world and a silent auction. Proceeds benefit the OCSM. An enjoyable evening for adults, and a chance to give back to the community!
Q: I read that you help non-English speaking families help participate in Orpheum events and you have translated materials into Spanish. How great is the need for such services in our community?
As a Cuban-American woman, and mother to a bilingual son, our family is socially-conscious about the many ways that our language skills and cultural perspectives can be of service to the Champaign-Urbana communities. In most Latino households, parents and grandparents rely on the children in their families to serve as interpreters, and culturally bridge the two worlds. With the ever-growing Latino populations in Champaign County, there is an incessant need to create and cultivate cross-cultural understanding, especially bilingual outreach in printed media, and other outlets.
Q: I saw that you were recently featured by the MTD in a video. How did that come about? Are there more commercials in your future :-)?
The MTD feature was a true surprise and gift! As an avid bus rider, I was offered the opportunity to participate, and gratefully accepted. This was a “first” for me. I work full-time at the University of Illinois, and am a freelance voiceover talent. Being in front of the camera is quite foreign to me! 🙂 As for future commercials, I would prefer to continue voiceover work for both English and Spanish projects.
Q: You grew up in Florida – do you miss the palm trees? What do you enjoy about raising your family in Champaign-Urbana?
I spent most of youth in Key West, Florida (a native Conch), and do miss the smell of the ocean and tropical fruits! Before moving to Champaign in 2002, we lived in Albuquerque, Seattle, and Chicago, so finding an affordable, micro-urban setting, that offered a high quality of life for our family, was a fortunate find!
Q: What is your biggest parenting challenge right now and how are you addressing it?
Right now, creating a balance between outside play and media time has been a challenge. As the parent of a ‘tween, my “tricks of the trade” have had to expand, … and my son continues to teach me how to become a more “balanced & creative” parent! 🙂
Do you know of a Chambana mom or dad to know? We love nominations! Send them to editor (at) chambanamoms (dot) com.