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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2008
Contact: Lisa Sandoval, Director of Communications, (202) 296-5400 x117
COMMUNITY LEADERS MAKE HISPANIC YOUTH SYMPOSIUM A SUCCESS, GUIDING 115 LOCAL HISPANIC HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS TO COLLEGE AND CAREERS
Program offered educational workshops, leadership growth, and mentorship to Hispanic youth
PHOENIX - An inspiring program to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals guided 115 promising high school students to achieving college degrees and careers over four days in July.
The inaugural Phoenix Hispanic Youth Symposium was launched at Arizona State University at the West Campus on July 16-19, 2008. The program was a collaboration between the Hispanic College Fund and AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute, a Phoenix nonprofit college access program for Latino youth that builds networks for students to support college preparation and completion.
The program, one of seven run nationally this summer, provided students with sessions on financing college, how to write a college essay, the strategic application process, and understanding the SAT.
Arizona State University Presidential Professor of Practice in Community Development and Civil Rights and former President and CEO of the National Council of La Raza Raul Yzaguirre presented the keynote address and served as honorary chairman of the symposium. More than 40 local business leaders also attended, sharing their personal stories of success in small group sessions where they served as "Hispanic Heroes." More than 100 volunteers assisted with planning and logistics.
Rogelio Gomez, the highest-ranking Hispanic in the Social Security Administration; Arizona State Representative David Lujan; and newly-elected City Council Member Michael Nowakowski spoke with the students, presenters and fellow volunteers.
The commitment of so many community leaders impressed the students. "Something that surprised me this week was the number of people who are willing to take the time and help you out when preparing to attend college," said Crystal Goodyear of Phoenix.
Ashley Aragon of Avondale added, "The thing that surprised me this week was how many people came - not just the students, but the speakers, as well."
The impact of the program was immediate. After attending, 97 percent of students reported that they were going to college, 93 percent reported having a mentor, and 60 percent reported that they wanted to attend a four-year college immediately following high school.
Evaluations also revealed a 20-point increase in the number of students interested in having a working professional mentor and a 30-point increase in the students' knowledge of the college application process and completing the FAFSA.
A 30-point increase was observed in student interest in participating in dual enrollment programs, as well as participating in a community or college access program to prepare for college.
AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute recruited participants and volunteers and will provide year-round programming that is specifically designed to ensure the students are on a college track.
"The collaboration between the Hispanic College Fund and AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute serves as a model of a seamless web of information and resources for the students," said Ybarra-Hernandez. "The symposium provides each student with an opportunity to experience a taste of university life for four days, which serves to inspire and motivate them to set goals for college and beyond. These students are hungry for information, resources, and opportunities to succeed as academics and professionals.
"One unexpected outcome from this program is the positive impact it also had on the community members who assisted in making this experience such an incredible one for our youth. The program was a win-win for everyone," continued Ybarra-Hernandez.
ASU at the West Campus served as university partner in the symposium, providing facilities and logistical assistance.
Also facilitating the symposium were 20 resident assistant college students, including alumni of the AGUILA program. The resident assistants served as near-peer advisors to the students by guiding them through the symposium and providing advice.
Sponsors of the symposium included The Helios Education Foundation, The Social Security Administration, Wells Fargo, Arizona State University, the Department of Energy, General Dynamics C4 Systems, SRP, USDA Forest Service, APS, Maricopa Community Colleges, Sallie Mae, SCF Arizona, Chase Adelante Group, Frito-Lay, Fry's, glaceau vitaminwater, Google, Hispanic Heritage Foundation, Jobing.com, Radio Campesina, Talon Community Services, and Youth Venture.
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About the AGUILA Youth Leadership Institute
AGUILA
Youth Leadership Institute (AGUILA) is a unique college access program
for Latino and Latina youth that helps to build a web of support
through consistency and powerful messaging. AGUILA's vision is to
ultimately serve high school freshmen through seniors; in 2008-2009 the
program will serve juniors and seniors in the fall, bringing sophomores
into the program in January and serving freshmen in 2009-2010. Students
attend monthly seminars focusing on personal growth, leadership,
college preparation and cultural awareness.
For more information visit the website at www.aguilayouth.org.
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.
For more information visit www.hispanicfund.org.
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