Department of Spanish and Portuguese

Teaching Professor Israel Herrera-Cárdenas wins the Be More Award from the City of Bloomington.

The City of Bloomington Volunteer Network has selected Israel Herrera-Cárdenas as it's 2026 Be More Involved award that recognizes a local citizen who has volunteered for at least three non-profit organizations for a year or longer. These traditional annual awards celebrate the incredible contributions of individuals and groups who make a lasting impact in Bloomington and Monroe County.

Nomination Summary from the BE MORE: Israel Herrera has committed himself to improving quality of life for Bloomington residents through 20 years of volunteer service to various community organizations. In addition to his 8 years of service to the City of Bloomington Board of Park Commissioners, Israel has served on the Commission on Hispanic and Latino Affairs, and the Lotus Education & Arts Foundation Board. Beyond his board service, Israel has acted as a volunteer for Teatro Vida, La Escuelita para Todos Daniel Soto, WFHB’s HOLA Bloomington, Sister Cities Cubamistad, and the Lotus Blossoms event. Israel is passionate about many things, but shows a particular interest in serving Latino youth and their families. His nominator describes some of the work he has done to break down the social and cultural barriers that prevent Latino families from feeling a sense of belonging in their own community,

Recipients will be honored during the 2026 Be More Awards celebration ceremony on Tuesday, April 28, 2026, at the Buskirk-Chumley Theater, 114 E. Kirkwood Ave., Bloomington, IN 47408. This is a FREE event to all (no ticket required). Each award recipient will receive a $1,000 grant award for the primary nonprofit organization they serve, thanks to the generous support of the Community Foundation of Bloomington and Monroe County.

Links:
https://bloomington.in.gov/news/2026/03/03/6463
https://www.bloomingtonvolunteernetwork.org/bemore

City of Bloomington Engagement History:

• Israel Herrera was the Chair of the City of Bloomington Commission on Latino Affairs for more than 9 years.
• He was also the Chair of the Subcommittee for Education and Culture in the City of Bloomington Commission on Latino Affairs.
• Israel Herrera was a Board Member for 3 years of the City of Bloomington Plan Commission.
• He has been Chair and Board member in different commissions with three different mayors (Kruzan, Hamilton and Thomson).
• He currently serves as Commissioner in the Park Board and he has served for 8 years in this position.
• He has served as Board member and then as volunteer for Lotus Festival and Lotus Blossoms for more than 10 years.
• He has served as volunteer for numerous MCCSC district committees.
• He served as volunteer for 10 years in WFHB in the radio station as host of the Hola Bloomington program.
• He served as volunteer for La Escuelita para Todos Daniel Soto.