150 At-Promise Latino and Native American High School Students to Receive Education on College, Career, and Community
ALBUQUERQUE, NM (July 15, 2009) – Nearly 150 Hispanic and Native American students from across New Mexico’s will gather at the University of New Mexico to launch the second annual New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium, a four-day, three-night college access program hosted by the Hispanic College Fund and New Mexico MESA. Student attendees, who were selected from a competitive admissions pool of nearly 250 applicants, will focus on learning strategies for success in college, career, and community service, as well as building their self-confidence and the motivation needed to succeed in a professional career.
“The Hispanic Youth Symposium is important not just for our student attendees, but for the social and economic well-being of the state of New Mexico, as well,” said Idalia Fernandez, President of the Hispanic College Fund. “With Latinos and Native Americans representing nearly half of the state’s population, they are certain to be a powerful influence on New Mexico’s future economy. Each student who attends the Hispanic Youth Symposium will be equipped with the tools that they need to pursue a college education and professional career, and in just a few years, they will be able to give back to their local communities by increasing the diversity and productivity of the New Mexico workforce.”
Local business leaders and public figures will welcome the students during the symposium’s opening ceremonies, including: Fern Barrueta, CEO of the Hispanic College Fund; Frank Maestas, Treasurer of the Board of NM Mesa; Jennifer Riordan, AVP Community Relations, Wells Fargo; Hector Balderas, State Auditor, New Mexico; Monica Armenta, Executive Director of Communications, Albuquerque Public Schools; Ernie G., Education Advocate and Comedian; and Dr. Fred Soto, Deputy Director, Office of Diversity and Outreach of the National Nuclear Security Administration. The opening ceremonies will take place today at 3 p.m. in Ballroom C of the University of New Mexico’s Student Union Building.
During the Hispanic Youth Symposium, students will have the opportunity to connect with Hispanic mentors, attend workshops on college admissions and financial aid, compete for $14,000 in available scholarship funds, and meet with college admissions officers from local schools.
“New Mexico’s Latino and Native American students need to know that they can pursue challenging careers in fields like engineering, science and math,” said Toney Begay, Executive Director of New Mexico MESA, “The New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium will give them the tools and confidence that they need to pursue the careers of the future and strengthen our society.”
Following the conclusion of the symposium, students will be enrolled in the year-round programming of the Hispanic Youth Institute, which is designed to increase their college knowledge and help them maintain progress towards academic and professional success. The Hispanic Youth Institute also serves as a support system for students’ families by involving them in the college admissions process through regular workshops and ongoing education about scholarships, internships, and college application deadlines.
Founded in 2004, the Hispanic Youth Symposium currently serves six cities and 1,600 students across the United States. Of the more than 3,000 alumni of the program, more than 90 percent have gone on to successfully enrolled in college.
The New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium is sponsored by National Nuclear Security Administration, Southwest Airlines, Social Security Administration, Wells Fargo, Daniels Fund, Sandia National Laboratories, University of Phoenix Foundation, Applied Research Associates, ENLACE, Amy and David Smith, Albuquerque Public Schools Education Foundation, The Bayless Charitable Fund,Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos National Laboratory Foundation, Luna Community College Montanas del Norte Health Education Center, United States Department of Agriculture, Google, Kaplan K12 Learning Services, San Francisco Hispanic Affairs Advisory Council, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Herrera School Busses and Coaches, National Hispanic Cultural Center, New Mexico Highlands University, The University of New Mexico College of Enrichment & Outreach Programs, Youth Venture, and Univision New Mexico.
Community partners include the College Success Network, El Centro de la Raza, Lambda Theta Phi – Latin Fraternity, Inc., Native Hispanic Institute, New Mexico Highlands University, Peanut Butter and Jelly, and Supercomputing Challenge.
To learn more about the New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium, please visit: http://www.hispanicyouth.org/symposium-new-mexico.
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About the Hispanic College Fund
Founded in 1993, the Hispanic College Fund is a non-profit organization based in Washington, D.C., with a mission to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals. For 15 years, the Hispanic College Fund has provided educational, scholarship, and mentoring programs to students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, establishing a career pipeline of talented and career-driven Hispanics who are trained in the fields of business, science, technology, engineering, and math.
The Hispanic College Fund has an annual budget of $6 million with 20 full-time employees. In 2006, the Hispanic College Fund received the Brillante award for “Nonprofit of the Year” from the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and in 2007 was recognized by USA Today as one of the nation’s top 25 charities.
Website: www.hispanicfund.org
About New Mexico MESA
New Mexico Mathematics, Engineering Science Achievement (NM MESA) Inc. is a non-profit organization that promotes educational enrichment for middle and high school students from historically under-represented ethnic groups. NM MESA, in partnership with schools and universities, prepares these pre-college students for college and careers in mathematics, engineering, science and related fields.
www.nmmesa.org
