Karen Marquez Institute for Hispanic Young Professionals

Program Description

The Karen Marquez Institute for Hispanic Young Professionals serves as the bridge from college to career by providing exceptional Hispanic college students with the confidence, exposure, and preparation needed to pursue business and STEM careers. Each year the Hispanic College Fund competitively selects 35 of its scholars from across the country to attend this leadership development program, which takes place in Washington, D.C., during October.

The Hispanic Young Professionals (HYP) program was formalized in 2004 to meet students' needs for professional and personal development, such as learning how to network, write a resume, dress for an interview, and conduct oneself in a fine dining setting. Now in its fifth year, the Hispanic College Fund has established an intensive series of leadership workshops primarily supported by corporate sponsors who are eager to meet and employ these outstanding scholars.

In 2009, the Hispanic College Fund announced the renaming of the program to the Karen Marquez Institute for Hispanic Young Professionals in honor of the late Karen Marquez, co-owner and executive vice president of MVM, Inc. The Marquez family believes that supporting the professional development of promising Latinos is the most appropriate way to continue the legacy of the late Karen Marquez.

Long Term Vision

Beginning in 2009, the Hispanic College Fund will implement a curriculum that is focused on helping students define the value of their degree and think about different career choices, all while learning important life skills. The curriculum will also teach students how to position themselves as leaders not only at work, but also in their communities. This cutting-edge curriculum will provide a structure for growth, making the Karen Marquez Institute the premier program for enriching talented Hispanic students who are ready for professional careers.