HispanicTips » Texas A&M http://www.hispanictips.com Essential Hispanic & Latino News :: Relevant, Trusted, Comprehensive and Useful Wed, 25 Nov 2009 23:04:57 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 en hourly 1 Antonio Cepeda-Benito, dean of faculties for Texas A&M University, has been named in Hispanic Business Magazine as one of the Top 100 Influential Hispanics. http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/11/antonio-cepeda-benito-dean-of-faculties-for-texas-am-university-has-been-named-in-hispanic-business-magazine-as-one-of-the-top-100-influential-hispanics/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/11/11/antonio-cepeda-benito-dean-of-faculties-for-texas-am-university-has-been-named-in-hispanic-business-magazine-as-one-of-the-top-100-influential-hispanics/#comments Wed, 11 Nov 2009 15:32:02 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/?p=66796 HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=66796 0 Edna Campos Gravenhorst to present her book at Texas A & M University http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/02/edna-campos-gravenhorst-to-present-her-book-at-texas-a-m-university/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/02/edna-campos-gravenhorst-to-present-her-book-at-texas-a-m-university/#comments Fri, 02 Oct 2009 15:20:19 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/10/02/edna-campos-gravenhorst-to-present-her-book-at-texas-a-m-university/ HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=63142 0 Increasing Hispanic enrollment and the resignation of Elsa Murano — Texas A&M’s first Hispanic and female president — were on the minds of many at the annual Texas A&M Hispanic Network summit Friday in College Station. http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/14/increasing-hispanic-enrollment-and-the-resignation-of-elsa-murano-texas-ams-first-hispanic-and-female-president-were-on-the-minds-of-many-at-the-annual-texas-am-hispanic-network-summit-frida/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/14/increasing-hispanic-enrollment-and-the-resignation-of-elsa-murano-texas-ams-first-hispanic-and-female-president-were-on-the-minds-of-many-at-the-annual-texas-am-hispanic-network-summit-frida/#comments Mon, 14 Sep 2009 18:09:26 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2009/09/14/increasing-hispanic-enrollment-and-the-resignation-of-elsa-murano-texas-ams-first-hispanic-and-female-president-were-on-the-minds-of-many-at-the-annual-texas-am-hispanic-network-summit-frida/ HispanicTips :: Hispanic & Latino News & Information]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=60988 0 Elsa Murano Formally Installed As President Of Texas A&M http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/29/elsa-murano-formally-installed-as-president-of-texas-am/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/29/elsa-murano-formally-installed-as-president-of-texas-am/#comments Mon, 29 Sep 2008 15:15:09 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/29/elsa-murano-formally-installed-as-president-of-texas-am/ "Dr. Elsa A. Murano was formally installed as the 23rd president of Texas A&M University during ceremonies held today in conjunction with the university’s annual academic convocation.



Dr. Murano is the first woman and first Hispanic-American president in the 132-year history of Texas’ first public institution of higher learning.



Texas A&M University System Board of Regents Chairman Bill Jones and Chancellor Michael D. McKinney presided at the formal installation in Rudder Auditorium.



Following her installation, President Murano outlined her vision for the university and its growing number of students and faculty, along with providing an update on Vision 2020, Texas A&M’s long-range road map for becoming one of the nation’s top public universities by the year 2020 – or, as President Murano proposed in her remarks, the best public university in the nation.



For a copy of Murano’s speech go to:
http://www.tamu.edu/president/documents/speeches/academicConvocation2008.html



For additional photos of the event, go to:

http://dmc-news.tamu.edu/templates/?a=6706&z=37 " HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=44650 0 Hispanic Profs Open Homes To Aggies – Texas A&M http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/23/hispanic-profs-open-homes-to-aggies-texas-am/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/23/hispanic-profs-open-homes-to-aggies-texas-am/#comments Tue, 23 Sep 2008 22:24:15 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/23/hispanic-profs-open-homes-to-aggies-texas-am/ "Hispanic Heritage Month got off to an especially hospitable and personal start in Aggieland Thursday evening when two longtime Hispanic professor/administrators opened their homes to a host of students—perpetuating a tradition they began four years ago. They now have hopes of expanding the number of participating students and faculty.



Dr. Luis Cifuentes and Dr. Victor Arizpe and their wives, who live next door to one another, welcomed into their homes a host of Aggies—mostly but not all Hispanics—as part of a program known as “Mi Casa Es Su Casa”—translated “my home is your house.”



“Mi Casa Es Su Casa,” part of the Memorial Student Center Committee for the Awareness of Mexican-American Culture ( CAMAC ) at Texas A&M, is primarily intended to develop a support system for freshmen and transfer students, noted Liliana Garcia, the student who chairs MSC-CAMAC this year.



“Mi Casa Es Su Casa” has been kicked off each year with patio dinners at the adjacent homes of Dr. Arizpe, professor of Hispanic studies; his wife, Norma Arizpe, a senior lecturer in Hispanic studies; Dr. Cifuentes, professor of oceanography and interim vice provost, and wife, Dr. Lauren Cifuentes, associate professor of educational psychology.



Other Texas A&M Hispanic faculty members have joined in by hosting every-other-month sessions for smaller student groups throughout the school year.



The faculty members and CAMAC leaders say they hope to expand the program to include even more faculty and more students.



“This program is in a sense having a home away from home for these students, particularly those entering as freshmen or as transfer students,” Cifuentes said, adding that it gives them “a welcoming environment.”



Arizpe agreed, saying “As members of the Mexican American / U.S. Latino Faculty Association ( MALFA ), we have enjoyed coming together to create a welcoming and supportive environment for Hispanic students by bringing them into our homes. One of our primary goals is to let students know that we care for their success at Texas A&M University and that we are here to help.”



Daniel Hernandez, MALFA facilitator this year, joined in the welcoming program and cited its benefits. “The initiative is an excellent opportunity to create significant and value added relationships between students and faculty that will enrich the A&M experience for all concerned. Students in particular will learn the benefits of building relationships that willenhance them academically, socially and professionally,” he noted.



Cifuentes and Arizpe emphasized that the core of the “Mi Casa Es Su Casa” program is the cadre of other volunteer faculty members who take up the hosting and related work after the fall kick-off session.



“Mi Casa Es Su Casa” is receiving funding assistance this year from the Texas A&M Office of Admissions & Records as part of its retention program designed to keep students in school and on track to graduate, Garcia said.
" HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=44426 0 Hispanic Heritage Month Events Begin Sept. 18 at Texas A&M University http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/10/hispanic-heritage-month-events-begin-sept-18-at-texas-am-university/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/10/hispanic-heritage-month-events-begin-sept-18-at-texas-am-university/#comments Wed, 10 Sep 2008 16:39:24 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/09/10/hispanic-heritage-month-events-begin-sept-18-at-texas-am-university/ "This year marks the sixth annual celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month at Texas A&M, a month of celebrating the many contributions Hispanics have made to the university.



The first event will be the formal opening ceremony from noon to 1:30 p.m. Thursday, Sept.18, in the Memorial Student Center Flagroom, with a reception to follow in the J. Wayne Stark Galleries. Events will continue through Oct. 15.



To attend the opening ceremony, RSVP by Friday ( Sept.12 ) to Cynthia Escamilla at c-escamilla@tamu.edu or call 979.845.4588.



All scheduled Hispanic Heritage Month events can be found at http://dms.tamu.edu/hispanicmonth2008. Events during the month are sponsored by the Professional Hispanic Network, Hispanic Presidents’ Council, the Department of Multicultural Services, the Division of Student Affairs, the Office of the President, the Office of the Vice President and Associate Provost for Diversity, the College of Architecture and the Office of the Dean of Faculties.
" HispanicTips is Essential Hispanic & Latino News & Information
A Community Enhancer :: Relevant, Comprehensive, Useful & Trusted
My readers say it best: "love it," "addictive,""useful," "great," & "invaluable." - View quotes & testimonials]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=43811 0 The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) Signs Historic Agreement to Secure Over $100 Billion in Procurement Opportunities http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/19/the-texas-association-of-mexican-american-chambers-of-commerce-tamacc-signs-historic-agreement-to-secure-over-100-billion-in-procurement-opportunities/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/19/the-texas-association-of-mexican-american-chambers-of-commerce-tamacc-signs-historic-agreement-to-secure-over-100-billion-in-procurement-opportunities/#comments Thu, 19 Jun 2008 14:19:57 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/19/the-texas-association-of-mexican-american-chambers-of-commerce-tamacc-signs-historic-agreement-to-secure-over-100-billion-in-procurement-opportunities/ "The Texas Association of Mexican American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) and notable Texas State Agencies and Universities announced that they intend to sign an historic and unprecedented agreement worth potentially $100 Billion. In a public signing ceremony on June 24, 2008, at the Texas State Capitol, TAMACC Executive Board Members, key state legislators and university officials, will sign a Memorandum of Understanding for procurement opportunities.
"This is a historic moment for TAMACC and Texas state agencies and universities," said Ms. Arcilia Acosta, TAMACC Chair. "It is historic because of the cooperation between TAMACC and these state entities, and the amount of money that will be available to qualified Texas D/M/W/BE firms. We hope that all qualified businesses will take advantage of this opportunity."
The Memorandum of Understanding provides for an exchange of information concerning procurement and other opportunities with Texas agencies and universities totaling over $100 Billion. Texas universities will provide the procurement opportunities and information, while TAMACC provides qualified D/M/W/BE firms.
Mr. Frank Cortez, TAMACC President & CEO, noted that the business climate in Texas is right for this type agreement. "We have worked hard and are well positioned for our member firms to take advantage of these business opportunities. I think you're going to see a lot of excited business owners at our state convention later this month as we roll-out additional information on this new development."
Notable state agencies and universities participating in the Memorandum of Understanding include: Texas Department of Criminal Justice, Texas Department of Transportation, Texas A&M University, Texas Health & Human Services Commission, Texas Tech University and The University of Texas at Austin.
About TAMACC:
TAMACC is a private non-profit corporation founded 32 years ago by a small group of Hispanic business persons interested in increasing business opportunities for themselves and other similar business owners. The association, with headquarters in Austin, Texas, acts as the organizational umbrella providing advocacy, technical support, programs, and services to the network of local Hispanic chambers.
Contact: Mauricio Navarro

469.733.8137
Navarro@raizinc.com
" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=40203 0 Hispanic Woman President is a Texas A&M First – Elsa Murano http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/18/hispanic-woman-president-is-a-texas-am-first-elsa-murano/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/18/hispanic-woman-president-is-a-texas-am-first-elsa-murano/#comments Wed, 18 Jun 2008 13:06:23 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/06/18/hispanic-woman-president-is-a-texas-am-first-elsa-murano/ "Murano brings a unique perspective to A&M.

As a child, she fled Cuba and settled in Miami. She was the first in her family to attend college.

She then became an associate professor at Texas A&M.

In 2001, she was tapped by the U.S. Department of Agriculture to become the highest-ranking food safety official in U.S. government and presided over the first case of mad cow disease.

" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=40110 0 Record numbers of Hispanic and African-American students are expected to attend Texas A&M University this fall as part of the largest freshman class in the university’s 132-year history, according to projections released today by the Office of Admissions. http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/21/record-numbers-of-hispanic-and-african-american-students-are-expected-to-attend-texas-am-university-this-fall-as-part-of-the-largest-freshman-class-in-the-universitys-132-year-history-according-to/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/21/record-numbers-of-hispanic-and-african-american-students-are-expected-to-attend-texas-am-university-this-fall-as-part-of-the-largest-freshman-class-in-the-universitys-132-year-history-according-to/#comments Wed, 21 May 2008 15:27:54 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/21/record-numbers-of-hispanic-and-african-american-students-are-expected-to-attend-texas-am-university-this-fall-as-part-of-the-largest-freshman-class-in-the-universitys-132-year-history-according-to/ "Record numbers of Hispanic and African-American students are expected to attend Texas A&M University this fall as part of the largest freshman class in the university’s 132-year history, according to projections released today by the Office of Admissions.



Confirmations for Hispanic students have increased 20 percent, or by 232 students, in comparison to this date a year ago for a total of 1,371. For African-American students, confirmations have increased 19 percent, or by 49 students, for a total of 303.



“These numbers reflect a university-wide effort and represent significant strides that have been made in attracting underrepresented students to Texas A&M,” said Dr. Elsa A. Murano, who was named the university’s first Hispanic and first female president in January.



“While Texas A&M is a welcoming place for underrepresented students, we are not where we need to be from an overall enrollment standpoint. Our commitment is to expand our Hispanic and African-American student populations even further as part of our land-grant mission for the state of Texas .”



Overall enrollment in the fall 2008 freshman class is expected to top 8,200 students, an increase of about 100 students in comparison to last fall. Texas A&M officials anticipate that about 25 percent of the freshman class will again be first-generation college students, while about half of the incoming freshmen will represent the top 10 percent of their respective high schools, a slight increase over a year ago.



“We believe these numbers indicate that Texas A&M continues to be affordable and accessible for students across the state and a tremendous value as a ‘tier one’ research institution,” President Murano said. “We are ever-mindful, however, of the increasing financial burden on students and their families to attend Texas A&M, and are continually looking for ways to enhance efficiencies and decrease costs on our campus.”



Murano noted that the lowest tuition and fee increase at Texas A&M since 1999 was approved by The Texas A&M University System Board of Regents in March. In addition to expanding the university’s scholarships, Murano plans to work with members of the Texas Legislature to increase the state’s investment in higher education and research in preparation for the upcoming session in January.



“Attracting top students to Texas A&M has become extremely competitive, particularly for underrepresented students,” Murano said. “There is a small number of Hispanic and African-American high school students in our state who actually take the college entrance exams, and an even smaller number – only about 6,000 – who score at or above the criterion established by the Texas Education Agency.”



Murano attributes the increases in the number of underrepresented students applying for and being admitted to Texas A&M to several factors, including more aggressive and personal attention in the recruiting process both on-campus and through the university’s eight Prospective Student Centers, additional financial aid and the work of Texas A&M’s Hispanic Network and Black Former Student Network.



“The results to date are very encouraging,” Murano said. “We can’t be overly confident, however, until the students attend our freshmen orientation sessions this summer and actually start classes this fall.”



Enrollment figures for the fall semester will not become official until after the 20th class day.





Contact: Jason Cook, Vice President for Marketing & Communications, at jason.cook@tamu.edu or ( 979 ) 458-1729.
" HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=38950 0 David Vela Selected as Southeast Regional Director for the National Park Service http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/david-vela-selected-as-southeast-regional-director-for-the-national-park-service/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/david-vela-selected-as-southeast-regional-director-for-the-national-park-service/#comments Tue, 06 May 2008 16:06:26 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2008/05/06/david-vela-selected-as-southeast-regional-director-for-the-national-park-service/ "David Vela will be the new Southeast Regional Director, one of seven regional directors for the National Park Service. “David came up through the ranks, beginning as a frontline park ranger,” said Mary A. Bomar, National Park Service Director. “His early field experience prepared him to be a great superintendent and now he will apply those same skills as regional director.”

The Southeast Region encompasses 66 parks in nine states, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands, and welcomes over 60 million visitors a year. It has a $204 million operating budget and employs more than 2,600 people, including 174 employees at the regional office in Atlanta. Since 1998, Vela has served as superintendent for several park units including the George Washington Memorial Parkway ( 2006-2008 ), Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park ( 2004-2006 ), and Palo Alto Battlefield National Historic Site ( 1998-2002 ). In 2002, he was appointed the Texas State Coordinator for the Intermountain Region of the National Park Service. Vela began his career with the National Park Service in 1981 at San Antonio Missions National Historical Park. He transferred to Appomattox Court House National Historical Park as a supervisory park ranger in 1984 and then to Independence National Historical Park in 1986 as a district ranger. From 1987 to 1998, Vela resigned from the National Park Service and worked as a Special Agent with the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, Office of Inspector General, performing white-collar criminal investigations in New York and New Jersey. He also served as a Special Assistant for Hispanic Affairs to the late U.S. Congressman Mickey Leland, worked as a Federal Investigator with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, and was appointed as the Director of the Texas Child Support Program by the Attorney General of Texas in 1996. Vela holds a Bachelor of Science Degree in Recreation and Parks from Texas A&M University. He is the recipient of numerous awards including a Distinguished Service Award in 1998 from the Federal Commissioner of Child Support Enforcement, the Intermountain Region’s “Pinnacle Award” in 2002, a Departmental “Superior Service” Award in 2003, and former Secretary Manuel Lujan, Jr.’s Champion Award in 2006. Vela graduated from the U.S. Department of the Interior Senior Executive Service Candidate Development Program in May 2006. He was the 2007 recipient of The Leslie M. Reid Alumni Award - For Outstanding Contributions to the Field of Recreation, Parks, or Tourism by a Graduate of the Department of Recreation, Parks & Tourism Sciences at Texas A&M University.

Contact( s ): David Barna, 202-208-6843 " HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=38294 0 Dr. Elsa Murano tapped to be President of Nation’s 6th largest University http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/12/11/elsa-murano-tapped-president-nations-largest-university/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/12/11/elsa-murano-tapped-president-nations-largest-university/#comments Wed, 12 Dec 2007 00:08:08 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/12/11/elsa-murano-tapped-president-nations-largest-university/ "The Texas A&M University System (TAMUS) Board of Regents today voted to select Dr. Elsa Murano as the sole finalist for the position of president of Texas A&M University (TAMU). A noted researcher and academician, a former federal appointee and the current vice chancellor of agriculture of the A&M System, as well as the dean of the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences at Texas A&M, Dr. Murano will be eligible to become president in 21 days.

"We conducted a nationwide search to find the best candidate for the presidency of Texas A&M University, and we discovered that individual in our own backyard," said the chairman of the Board of Regents, Bill Jones. "Dr. Murano is a distinguished researcher and academic leader, a successful manager who has transformed agriculture across the A&M System and a visionary with the credentials to oversee a $1.2 billion annual enterprise like Texas A&M University." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=33094 0 Texs A&M set to name first female and Hispanic president – Elsa Murano sole finalist for job vacated by Robert Gates. http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/12/09/texs-name-first-female-hispanic-president-elsa-murano-sole-finalist-vacated-robert-gates/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/12/09/texs-name-first-female-hispanic-president-elsa-murano-sole-finalist-vacated-robert-gates/#comments Mon, 10 Dec 2007 02:26:55 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/12/09/texs-name-first-female-hispanic-president-elsa-murano-sole-finalist-vacated-robert-gates/ "The governing board of Texas A&M University named a top official in Aggieland on Friday as the sole finalist for president of the College Station campus.

Elsa Murano, 48, would be not only the first woman to lead the university but also the first Hispanic. She is currently vice chancellor of agriculture for the A&M System and dean of the university's College of Agriculture and Life Sciences. She was previously undersecretary for food safety for the U.S. Department of Agriculture. Before that, she was a faculty member at A&M." HispanicTips.com - A Blogante News Service For, From & About Hispanics & Latinos]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=32971 0 Texas A&M’s minority recruitment drive hits plateau http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/10/01/texas-ams-minority-recruitment-drive-hits-plateau/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/10/01/texas-ams-minority-recruitment-drive-hits-plateau/#comments Mon, 01 Oct 2007 18:10:24 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/10/01/texas-ams-minority-recruitment-drive-hits-plateau/ "Texas A&M University's high-profile campaign to increase minority representation on campus has stalled after some gains, with the percentage of black and Hispanic students among the freshman class remaining unchanged for the third consecutive year. Of the 8,078 freshmen enrolled this fall, 14 percent are Hispanic and 3 percent are black, despite a record number of applications and acceptances for the minority groups, according to A&M's preliminary counts." For source and translated source please visit the site.

Blogante News from Tomás For & About Hispanics & Latinos - Headlines, Business, Entertainment & more< /br>Stay Informed - Knowledge is Power

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=29931 1 Lower Rio Grande Valley chosen for Hispanic Aging Initiative http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/27/lower-grande-valley-chosen-hispanic-aging-initiative/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/27/lower-grande-valley-chosen-hispanic-aging-initiative/#comments Thu, 27 Sep 2007 18:25:35 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/27/lower-grande-valley-chosen-hispanic-aging-initiative/ "The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality have selected the Texas A&M Health Science Center School of Rural Public Health for a new Hispanic Aging Initiative. This makes the Lower Rio Grande Valley only one of eight sites in the United States selected for this Hispanic elderly effort. The goal is to address the disparity in health care for older Hispanics compared to other population groups." For source and translated source please visit the site.

Blogante News from Tomás For & About Hispanics & Latinos - Headlines, Business, Entertainment & more< /br>Stay Informed - Knowledge is Power

]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=29803 0 Fernandez helps West Side students reach new VISTAs by degrees – (a San Antonio pre-admissions program called “VISTA” which helps under-privileged Hispanic students apply and receive acceptance to college) http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/26/fernandez-helps-west-side-students-reach-vistas-degrees-antonio-pre-admissions-program-called-%e2%80%9cvista%e2%80%9d-which-helps-under-privileged-hispanic-students-apply-receive-acceptance-college/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/26/fernandez-helps-west-side-students-reach-vistas-degrees-antonio-pre-admissions-program-called-%e2%80%9cvista%e2%80%9d-which-helps-under-privileged-hispanic-students-apply-receive-acceptance-college/#comments Wed, 26 Sep 2007 17:04:58 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/26/fernandez-helps-west-side-students-reach-vistas-degrees-antonio-pre-admissions-program-called-%e2%80%9cvista%e2%80%9d-which-helps-under-privileged-hispanic-students-apply-receive-acceptance-college/ "

It’s hard to aim at something you can’t see. So Maria Fernandez is raising the sights for a growing number of San Antonio high school students. Literally.

Fernandez founded VISTA, Spanish for “sight,” a little over six months ago to overcome the prevailing conventional wisdom that keeps many West Side students from even considering college as an option.

She started small, with only five students last Spring. She helped them win only more than $250,000 in scholarships to only some of the country’s best schools including Dartmouth College, Loyola University-Chicago, Columbia College-Chicago, Baylor University, Texas A&M University and the University of Texas at Austin.

During the summer, another 25 kids signed up for the program making tough demands on Fernandez’ time but putting a college degree squarely within the reach of each student.

VISTA partners with the Guadalupe Street Coffee House, a community development project of Baptist Child & Family Services, which provides the computer connections and space for the weekly sessions.

Fernandez doesn’t ask any student to do something she hasn’t already done.

“I am a product of the San Antonio Independent School District, the same district many of my students attend. Like most of them, no one in my family had ever gone to college” she explains. “The expectation for me in the 70's was to graduate from high school, get married, and have children. Unfortunately, this attitude still prevails today for many students from the West Side.”

She lived up to those expectations, marrying the day after she turned 18 and having four children. But she also went far beyond the norm: an associate of arts degree from San Antonio College and bachelor’s and master’s degrees from UT-San Antonio.

“I was lucky enough to have a husband who believed in education and who inspired me to keep going to school,” she says. “My journey connects me with the bright young people in VISTA because I know what it’s like to go to class with children in tow.”

Fernandez had the dream of VISTA before she had all the resources needed to put it into action. Meanwhile BCFS put resources in place but unexpectedly had no way to fully utilize them.

When the coffee shop opened in October 2006, “we put in eight computers with internet connections and wi-fi, intending to offer after school tutoring,” Jeremy Everett, who headed up the launch of the West Side’s first internet cafe says. “What we didn’t know was that the kids don’t have homework because they are not issued textbooks they can take home. Then Maria shows up and we have a perfect match. VISTA benefits from the coffee shop and the community benefits from VISTA.”

Fernandez agrees, seeing “the empowering of students with choices and college admission as a true avenue in how we can work to change the cycle of poverty one student at a time.”

VISTA and the GSCH offer a quality, one-on-one advising program for students who need assistance with the college application process, including SAT/ACT tutoring, financial aid and career advising.

“By giving these students long term goals and the means to accomplish them, we are ensuring that they meet their basic short term goals of graduating from high school and getting accepted to college,” Everett points out.

Students eligible to participate in the program must be enrolled in grades eight through twelve, have at least an 80 grade average with good school attendance, be committed to attending VISTA advising sessions and have the desire and determination to go to college. Most importantly they must be following a dream to be the first person in their family to attend college.

“I have a lot of anxiety when it comes to applying for college and VISTA has really helped me prepare by having one on one attention from counselors,” John F. Kennedy junior Jackie Sanchez said. “VISTA helps us see that college isn’t just for those students in the top ten percent, but that anyone who wants to further his or her education can go to college.”

Individual counseling partnered with convenient scheduling and location is what sets the program apart. VISTA works with students, parents, school counselors and universities to bring them together for the benefit of the student.

“College advisors love the coffee house because it is a practical setting for recruiting and similar to many of the popular hangouts used for studying around college campuses,” Fernandez says. The recruiter for Texas A&M spent a lot of time there last Spring. Two of the five VISTA graduates wound up in College Station and a third enrolled at Texas A&M Corpus Christi.

Those first graduates are not forgotten. Fernandez continues the student mentoring into the first year of college to ensure that the students not only receive acceptance to the University of their choice, but also graduate. Students from this past year’s VISTA class have already volunteered to mentor future VISTA graduates planning to attend their university.

“The GSCH is a great location to meet because it’s a calm and relaxed atmosphere to meet with our mentor, use the internet to research universities, study SAT material and drink coffee,” agrees Kennedy high school junior Maria Villasenor, part of the Vista Class of 2009.

Though stretched thin by the rapid growth of the program, Fernandez’ goal is to continue spreading the word about the availability of this free service within the community, as well as being joined by other volunteers to involve even more students.

In the future, she hopes to receive the funding and volunteers for a program where under privileged students can earn educational travel, such as visits to Washington D.C. and college campuses through community service and other activities necessary for college admission.

“That kind of exposure gives students the desire to go away for college,” points out Fernandez, who has more than a decade of experience in college admissions advising and is a regular participant at the National Association of College Admissions Counseling Conference.

To learn more, students can contact Fernandez at collegevista@bcfs.net or stop by the Guadalupe Street Coffee House (1320 Guadalupe Street, a half block from the Guadalupe Cultural Arts Center) during VISTA sessions 4-6 p.m. Monday, Wednesday and Thursday.

BCFS and Fernandez continue to seek partners to share in their vision in making college admission possible for under privileged students. BCFS program director Jeremy Everett can be reached at jeverett@bcfs.net or 210-863-0506.

" For source and translated source please visit the site.

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]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=29677 0 Hispanic Network Boosting Texas A&M’s Hispanic Enrollment http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/15/hispanic-network-boosting-texas-ams-hispanic-enrollment/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/15/hispanic-network-boosting-texas-ams-hispanic-enrollment/#comments Sat, 15 Sep 2007 17:50:07 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/15/hispanic-network-boosting-texas-ams-hispanic-enrollment/ "
"One of Texas A&M University's Vision 20/20 goals is to diversify the student body. Through an Aggie collection of ideas, hard work, and experiences, the Texas A&M Hispanic Network is seeking to increase the number of Hispanic students who enroll and graduate from A&M. Texas A&M Hispanic Network Chairman David Flores said a more diverse student population on campus offers a true representation of the cultures present throughout the state."
Read more: http://www.kbtx.com
Traducido: usando Google o Altavista/Babel Fish
"

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]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=29031 0 Expert: Hispanic enrollment up at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi – But university still needs to improve to match demographics http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/12/expert-hispanic-enrollment-texas-university-corpus-christi-university-still-needs-improve-match-demographics/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/12/expert-hispanic-enrollment-texas-university-corpus-christi-university-still-needs-improve-match-demographics/#comments Wed, 12 Sep 2007 16:39:15 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/09/12/expert-hispanic-enrollment-texas-university-corpus-christi-university-still-needs-improve-match-demographics/ "Sarita Brown and Deborah Santiago, officials with national nonprofit Excelencia in Education, presented Hispanic enrollment statistics and projections to students and staff at the university's Performing Arts Center. Brown, president of the organization, said that universities such as A&M-Corpus Christi should strive to match regional demographic levels. The university's Title V/TRIO program sponsored the "Latino Students and America's Future" event, held to kick off Hispanic Heritage Month. The month runs from Sept. 15 to Oct. 15."

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]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=28863 0 National Archives Celebrates Hispanic American Heritage Month http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/08/16/national-archives-celebrates-hispanic-american-heritage-month/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/08/16/national-archives-celebrates-hispanic-american-heritage-month/#comments Thu, 16 Aug 2007 15:24:14 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/08/16/national-archives-celebrates-hispanic-american-heritage-month/ "The National Archives will celebrate Hispanic American Heritage Month with special films, programs, and lectures. These events are free and open to the public and will be held at the National Archives Building in Washington, D.C., which is located on the National Mall at Constitution Ave. and 7th Street, N.W., and is fully accessible. New Thinking on Lincoln's Legacy: Hispanic Perspectives Tuesday, September 18, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater Abraham Lincoln's 200th birthday is in 2009. Does his legacy have resonance within Hispanic communities? Estevan Rael-Galvez, New Mexico State Historian; Ernesto Chavez, associate professor of history at the University of Texas at El Paso; and Jerry Thompson, Regents Professor, Social Science Department, Texas A&M International University, will unearth fresh historical perspectives on Lincoln, his era, and his legacy. Film: The Lemon Grove Incident Friday, September 21, at noon, William G. McGowan Theater Based on historical events, this docudrama, which blends archival photos, dramatic reenactments, and interviews with former students, portrays the efforts of the Mexican American community in Lemon Grove, CA, to challenge local school segregation practices and racial discrimination in Depression-era America. Produced by Paul Espinosa. (1985, 58 minutes.) Playing America's Game: Baseball, Latinos, and the Color Line Wednesday, September 26, at noon, Jefferson Room Latinos have emerged as baseball's largest minority group over the last two decades, highlighted by the pitching of Pedro Martinez and the hitting exploits of Alex Rodriguez. In Playing America's Game: Baseball, Latinos, and the Color Line, Adrian Burgos examines the long history of Latinos in U.S. professional baseball, focusing particularly on their significant presence in the Negro Leagues. Zoot Suit Riots Friday, October 12 at 12 noon, William G. McGowan Theater In August 1942 the murder of a young Mexican-American man ignited a firestorm in Los Angeles, California. In no time at all, ethnic and racial tensions that had been building up over the years boiled over. Police fanned out across the city in a dragnet that netted 600 Mexican Americans. Among those accused of murder was a young "zoot-suiter" named Hank Leyvas -- the poster boy for an entire generation of rebellious Mexican kids who refused to play by the old rules. These dramatic events are chronicled in this 2001 documentary from the PBS series, American Experience. Written, produced, and directed by Joseph Tovares. (60 minutes.) RELATED NATIONAL ARCHIVES "KNOW YOUR RECORDS" PROGRAMS All programs are open to the public and are free unless otherwise noted. Hispanics in the 19th Century through Military and Census Records Wednesday, September 26, 9:30-11:30 a.m., Jefferson Room National Archives staff archivist Constance Potter and archives specialist John Deeben will present a workshop on Hispanics in the Southwest in the 19th century, focusing on Civil War military service, regimental, and pension records for volunteers from New Mexico, Arizona, and Texas as well as population and non-population census schedules. Reservations are required, and a fee of $20 is payable by cash or check at the door. Call 202-357-5333. Mexican Border Crossings Thursday, September 13, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center National Archives staff archivist Claire Kluskens will discuss Mexican border crossing records that document the arrival of permanent and temporary immigrants to the United States at the U.S.-Mexico border. Hispanic Volunteers in the Antebellum U.S. Army Tuesday, September 18, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center National Archives staff archives specialist John Deeben will discuss service records and other documentation for Hispanics who served in the U.S. Army, 1835-55. Many fought in the Second Seminole War, the Mexican War, and the Apache and Navajo wars of the 1850s. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, September 20, at 11 a.m.) Hispanic-Related Films from the National Archives Friday, September 21, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center National Archives staff present and discuss a variety of film clips illustrating Hispanic population, culture, activities, and families in the early to mid-20th century. Documenting Community, Politics, and the Economy in Puerto Rico, 1898-1950 Tuesday, September 25, at 11 a.m., Room G-24, Research Center National Archives branch chief Kenneth Heger will provide an overview of the records of the two Federal agencies that administered Puerto Rico -- the Bureau of Insular Affairs and the Office of Territories -- focusing on their value to local historians. (This lecture will be repeated at the National Archives at College Park, MD, in Lecture Room B, on Thursday, September 27, at 11 a.m.) To verify the date and times of the programs, the public should call the Public Programs Line at: (202) 357-5000, or view the Calendar of Events on the web at: http://www.archives.gov/calendar/. To contact the National Archives, please call 1-866-272-6272 or 1-86-NARA-NARA (TDD) 301-837-0482."

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]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=28049 0 Mano a Mano gives 64 more chance to succeed – Corpus Christi http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/08/01/mano-mano-gives-more-chance-succeed-corpus-christi/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/08/01/mano-mano-gives-more-chance-succeed-corpus-christi/#comments Wed, 01 Aug 2007 14:27:14 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/08/01/mano-mano-gives-more-chance-succeed-corpus-christi/ "The luncheon recognized 64 area students attending or planning to attend Del Mar College, Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi or Texas A&M University-Kingsville who are committed to work in the area upon graduation. Hispanic Chamber Chairman Rock Ruiz said the program helps the areas economy by helping its present and future workforce, a sentiment shared by Flint Hills spokesman Rich Tuttle. "If we grow and train our talent locally, theyre more likely to stay," Tuttle said. "This program saves us time and money because we dont have to bring them from the outside.""

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]]> http://js-kit.com/rss/www.hispanictips.com/p=27648 0 Spanish-speaking firefighters bond at weeklong training program http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/07/16/spanish-speaking-firefighters-bond-weeklong-training-program/ http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/07/16/spanish-speaking-firefighters-bond-weeklong-training-program/#comments Mon, 16 Jul 2007 21:07:04 +0000 Tomas http://www.hispanictips.com/2007/07/16/spanish-speaking-firefighters-bond-weeklong-training-program/ "About 700 firefighters representing most of the worlds Spanish-speaking countries gathered near Texas A&M last week to share tips, swap stories and douse a few blazes together. The Texas Engineering Extension Service has sponsored a Spanish Fire Training School for more than four decades and itss become a well-known event among international firefighters. This year, participants converged from Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, the Dominican Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Equatorial Guinea, Guatemala, Honduras, Mexico, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Spain, Venezuela and the United States, said TEEX spokesman Jay Socol."

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