Categories: General
      Date: Jul 13, 2009
     Title: Hispanic College Fund and New Mexico MESA Launch New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium July 15
Opening ceremonies scheduled to kick off four-day event at 3 p.m.

Albuquerque, NM (July 13, 2009) – Nearly 150 Hispanic and Native American students from across New Mexico will gather on the campus of the University of New Mexico on July 15 to celebrate the launch of the second annual New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium, a four-day, three-night college access program hosted by the Hispanic College Fund (HCF) and New Mexico MESA.


The symposium’s opening ceremonies will feature a keynote speech by Hector Balderas, the State Auditor of New Mexico.  Dr. Fred Soto, Deputy Director Office of Diversity and Outreach of the National Nuclear Security Administration, will deliver the keynote motivational address. Additional speakers will include: Fernando Barrueta, CEO of the Hispanic College Fund, Jennifer Riordan, AVP of Community Relations for Wells Fargo, and Toney Begay, Executive Director of New Mexico MESA; Monica Armenta, Executive Director of Communications, Albuquerque Public Schools, will serve as the mistress of ceremonies.  After the opening ceremonies, Latino education advocate and comedian, Ernie G., will deliver the keynote inspirational address. The opening ceremonies will begin at 3 p.m. in Ballroom C of the University of New Mexico’s Student Union Building.

“We are proud to welcome the 2009 class of the New Mexico Hispanic Youth Symposium,” said Idalia Fernandez, President of the Hispanic College Fund. “This year’s cohort represents some of the most promising Latino students from New Mexico, and we look forward to helping them fulfill their promise by empowering them to pursue a college education and a successful professional career.”

The Hispanic Youth Symposium is designed to promote college achievement, professional careers, and community involvement. During the program, 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.

This year, the Hispanic Youth Symposium will also be hosted in Dallas, Baltimore, Fresno, Los Angeles, and in Fairfax, Virginia.

“New Mexico MESA is thrilled to present the Hispanic Youth Symposium for the second year in a row,” said Toney Begay, Executive Director of New Mexico MESA. “We know that there is an incredible demand for this program; this year, more than 235 students completed applications for only 150 available slots.  This is nearly triple the number of complete applications from last year. As the program continues to grow, we look forward to serving even more students and encouraging them to pursue successful professional careers.”

Following the conclusion of this program, 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 toward academic and professional goals.

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.

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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 Hispanic College Fund received a coveted four-star rating from Charity Navigator for exemplary fiscal responsibility.

For more information, visit: 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