Press Releases

For Immediate Release

Hispanic College Fund Scholars Advise Congress on Building 21st-Century Latino Career Pipeline

Media Advisory

October 26, 2009

 

Contact:

Anne Guarnera

202-503-4317

aguarnera@hispanicfund.org

 

HISPANIC COLLEGE FUND SCHOLARS ADVISE CONGRESS ON BUILDING 21st-CENTURY LATINO CAREER PIPELINE

Youth Testify How to Combat Economic Recession by Increasing Latinos’ Opportunities in STEM and Business

 

Who:    The Honorable Dennis Cardoza (D-CA, 18th)  (invited)

            The Honorable Rubén Hinojosa and the Honorable Raúl Grijalva (invited)

James Montoya, VP for Higher Education Relationship Development of The College

Board

            Sarita Brown, President of Excelencia in Education

            John Nelson, President and CEO of Zeta Associates

Maria Harris-Tildon, SVP Public Policy and Community Affairs of CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield

Luis Andrade, Business Major at The University of North Carolina

            Elizabeth Martinez, Computer Science Major at The University of the Incarnate

            Word       

Angela Lewis, Nursing Major at Georgetown University

               

What:     Congressional briefing focusing on Latinos’ access to higher education and

careers in STEM and business, with a focus on creating a 21st-century workforce.   

Testimony from    Latino students and professionals in these fields will provide

unique action strategies for those seeking to expand diversity in the STEM and

business workplace and in doing so, foster innovation and greater economic

stability.

 

Where:   South Congressional Meeting Room, Capitol Visitor’s Center

 

When:    9:30 A.M. to 11:00 A.M. on October 29, 2009

 

Why:      As America begins to recover from the economic recession, it is time to develop long-term strategies to ensure future economic security. Minority education is one issue that policymakers and corporate leaders cannot ignore if they wish to sustain their businesses and country. With Hispanics representing the fastest-growing minority group in America, the education of Latino youth is of particular importance to future workforce stability. Today, although 88 percent of Hispanics ages 16  and older agree that a “college education is necessary” to get ahead in life, only 13 percent of Hispanics actually attain a college diploma. Attend this briefing to see how the Hispanic College Fund is working to close this gap by creating a pipeline for young Latinos through high school, college, and career. At this event, you will hear first-hand from students about the challenges they have faced and their policy recommendations for expanding HCF’s pipeline model to empower more Latinos and improve the qualifications of America’s future workforce.

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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. In 2009, the organization was honored with Charity Navigator’s highest rating for non-profit management and financial responsibility. For more information, please visit: www.hispanicfund.org