News (Noticias) Tagged ‘texas state university’

Just in time for the 2008 presidential election comes a publication that summarizes and makes intelligent assessments of the Latino vote during the last six presidential elections and more.

Texas State University professor Federico Subervi-Vélez joined forces with 22 other academics to examine the impact of mass media and Latino politics in the United States during a 20-year period. This book does not disappoint.

The campaigns of this year’s presidential candidates should pay close attention to the facts that editor and chief contributor Subervi-Vélez and friends have collected.”*

Dr. Federico Subervi, a professor at the School of Journalism and Mass Communications at Texas State University-San Marcos, is well-known for his research into mass media and their impact on ethnic minorities. He is the director of the Latinos and Media Project and is the author of the recently published academic title “The Mass Media and Latino Politics.”"*

LatinWorks announced the addition of new members to its award winning creative team. The new hires come on the heels of several recent wins for the agency, including Hyundai Motor America and Batanga.

Catherine Albritton, a recent graduate from Texas State University with a degree in Communication Design, signed on as Art Director. She is currently assigned to NetSpend, U.S. Cellular and Hyundai. “*

“Colleges and universities across the country can promote greater academic success among Hispanic students by emulating the practices of 11 public universities with higher-than-average graduation rates for such students, says a new report from the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) and The Education Trust.

The report of the Hispanic Student Success Study, Promoting Success for Hispanic Students at State Colleges and Universities: Creating Supportive Spaces on Our Campuses, will be released October 20 at the annual conference of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities in Chicago.

“The colleges and universities that participated in this study have identified factors that lead to students’ academic success and graduation, most notably strong presidential leadership and a commitment to an inclusive campus culture,” said Constantine W. (Deno) Curris, president of AASCU.

“Campuses dedicated to access and opportunity can learn significant lessons from their colleagues highlighted in this study.”

The results of the in-depth study demonstrate that any institution “can achieve levels of success for Hispanic students similar to those at the institutions studied, given the proper combination of leadership, programs that recognize the distinctive cultures and academic experiences of Hispanic students, and ‘persistent consistency’ in decision-making,” says the report.

While there is no one program or practice that guarantees high graduation rates for Hispanic students, the study found that successful institutions exhibited “some distinctive characteristics in three areas: mission and culture, student-success programming, and organizational leadership and development.” Together, these formed an amalgam of supports for students across campus that increased retention and graduation rates.

For example, in the area of mission and culture, the report said, the successful institutions highlighted their commitment to Hispanic students’ success in their mission statements and public communications and had recruited a “critical mass” of Hispanic students, one large enough to create a viable “community within a community.”

In the area of student programming, the institutions had created networks to help Hispanic students remain connected to their families and communities, along with on-campus networks encouraging mutual support among Hispanic students. Many institutions also had academic programs in Hispanic studies and special programs for Hispanic students within traditional academic majors.

Regarding leadership, presidents at the institutions overtly emphasized a commitment to Hispanic students’ success and helped bridge the gaps often found between the academic-affairs and student-affairs sectors on campus. Further, the institutions’ leadership not only “devoted unusual attention to recruiting and supporting Hispanic faculty and staff,” the report said, leaders also conducted “substantial faculty and staff development to educate non-Hispanic faculty and staff about Hispanic students’ culture and how to help Hispanic students succeed.”

“We are happy to endorse the publication of AASCU’s Hispanic Student Success study. Its intensive focus on a number of successful institutions underlines the importance of an institutional culture that makes Hispanic students feel at home in the college environment and that expects and supports their academic success. The study will provide much food for thought and institutional conversation among those committed to improving Hispanic recruitment and graduation rates,” said Antonio Flores, president and CEO of the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities.

Funded by the Lumina Foundation, the student-success study was conducted in spring 2007 by AASCU, a membership organization of more than 430 public four-year colleges and universities and 26 state systems of higher education, and The Education Trust, an independent non-profit organization that works for high academic achievement for students at all levels of education.

Using the Trust’s Web database of federal graduation-rate data, the two organizations identified 11 AASCU institutions that were doing better than their peers in graduating Hispanic students within six years of their initial enrollment in college. Five of the 11 institutions had maintained high graduation rates for Hispanic students over a long period of time, and the other six had shown substantial improvements in Hispanic students’ graduation rates since 2000.

The campuses included urban, rural, large, and small institutions. They were Adams State College (Colo.); Baruch College of the City University of New York; California State University Chico; California State University Northridge; George Mason University (Va.); Humboldt State University (Calif.); Northern Arizona University; the State University of New York, New Paltz; Texas State University, San Marcos; the University of Central Florida, and the University of Texas, Arlington.

More information about the report is available at www.aascu.org.

The more than 430 members of the American Association of State Colleges and Universities (AASCU) work to extend higher education to all citizens, including those who have been traditionally underrepresented on college campuses. By Delivering America’s Promise, these institutions fulfill the expectations of a public university by working for the public good through education and engagement, thereby improving the lives of people in their community, their region and their state. “*

“Univision Communications Inc., the leading Spanish-language media company in the United States, today announced the appointment of Maelia Macin to the position of Vice President and General Manager of Univision Television Group’s Los Angeles stations, effective immediately. In this position, Macin will oversee all aspects of Univision station KMEX-TV Channel 34 and TeleFutura station KFTR-TV Channel 46, including sales, news, marketing, online initiatives and community outreach. Macin will report to Ray Rodriguez, President and Chief Operating Officer, Univision Communications Inc.

“Maelia demonstrated strong leadership skills as Vice President and GM of our Austin stations. During her tenure, the Austin stations were the fastest growing stations in the Univision Television Group,” said Rodriguez. “Her track record of outstanding station management and creative thinking, along with her deep knowledge of the U.S. Hispanic community and the Univision family, made her an obvious choice to oversee our successful stations in our flagship market,” said Rodriguez.

KMEX and KFTR are long standing leaders in the Los Angeles market. According to the Nielsen Station Index results for the July 2007 Sweep, KMEX was the #1 station in primetime, regardless of language. Additionally, KMEX’s local news was the #1 early newscast in the market for the 48th consecutive sweep. KFTR’s broadcast of the Copa America match between Mexico and Argentina was the 3rd most watched sporting event of the year in Los Angeles, regardless of language.

“I recognize the tremendous importance and potential of this market, as well as the responsibility we have to serve our community. I look forward to further strengthening our stations’ leadership positions in the top Spanish-language market in the country,” said Macin. “I am thrilled to be returning to Los Angeles, where I spent 14 years of my career with Univision.”

Macin brings over 21 years experience in various aspects of marketing and selling to the U.S. Hispanic market. Since February 2006, Macin has served as the Vice President and General Manager of Univision’s Austin stations – KAKW Univision 62 and KBVO TeleFutura 51. Macin joined the Univision family in 1990 at KMEX-TV in Los Angeles. She quickly ascended into sales and has held various positions, including Account Executive for the Univision Network, where she increased awareness and revenue for all integrated network properties. At KMEX, she was Senior Account Executive and Local Sales Manager.

Prior to Univision, Macin was the Direct Marketing Manager at Datel Entertainment, a company that specialized in marketing entertainment products manufactured in Mexico to Hispanics living in the U.S. Macin started her career as the Hispanic Market Manager for NuStats, Inc., a market research and consulting firm.

Earlier this year, Macin was selected to participate in Leadership Austin, an independent non-profit educational institution comprised of a select group of community leaders who focus on diverse public issues and collaborate to make a difference in the community. She was also named “Austin Woman Classic” by Austin Woman Magazine for her work on education and empowerment in Austin.

Currently, Macin is a member of the Board of Directors of Avance, Inc., an outreach organization that focuses on empowering parents in poor, underserved communities to become advocates and role models for their children. She is also on the Board of Directors of The Neighborhood Longhorns, an organization that utilizes the resources of the University of Texas to help at-risk youth in Austin, TX.

Macin pursued graduate studies in advertising at the University of Texas in Austin and received her Bachelor of Science degree in education at Southwest Texas State University in San Marcos. “

“In conjunction with Hispanic Heritage Month and the premiere of the highly anticipated film, Crush, the San Antonio Film Institute has selected A.J. Garces of CineOptima and PrimaDonna Productions fame as the best of the best.

On Friday, September 28 at the Aztec on the River, during the San Antonio Local (SAL) Film Festival, Darlene Miller of the San Antonio Film Institute (SAFI) will present Garces with his “Grand Jury Prize” and $600 in cash. Crush a short film that explores a young woman’s encounter with her soul mate, was written and directed by Garces, produced by PrimaDonna Productions, and stars local actors Laura Evans and Fred Parker. According to Miller, the Managing Director of the festival, “Crush is a beautiful production and a great example of the quality and excellence in film production happening in and around the city of San Antonio.”

“It is great to know that an organization like SAL has been created so that San Antonio can finally step out of the shadow of well-known film market giants like Austin and Dallas and put itself on the map,” says President of PrimaDonna Productions, Nikki Young. Jade Esteban Estrada, a Latino entertainer and an actor in the award-winning film couldn’t agree more, “San Antonio is a wonderful town full of exceptionally talented and gifted artists and it is time everyone knew it!” One of the many reasons Young, Garces, and Estrada love to live and work in San Antonio is as diverse are the people, is as how similar their passion is to put the city on the top of the filmmaking pyramid. “One of the advantages of residing in a city like San Antonio is its cultural offerings; I am proud that Crush, is now forever part of our city’s cultural fabric,” says Garces, a Columbian native, but devoted San Antonio resident.

Other Latino filmmakers to be showcased during the inaugural event include Mark Cantu, Bryan Ortiz, Ranferi Salguero, Bryan Anthony Ramirez, and Carlos Piña to name a few. Tickets to SAL are $10 at the door. Complimentary wine and beer will be served prior to the screenings and at intermission. Doors open at 6:15 PM and the screenings begin at 7:00 PM.

Ӣ For more information about the SAL Film Festival: www. salfilmfest .com or contact Darlene Miller directly at 210.394.3066

Ӣ For more information about Crush the movie: www. crushthemovie .net

# # # #

FOR MORE INFORMATION, PLEASE CONTACT:
Nikki Young, Publicity, PrimaDonna Productions
6338 N. New Braunfels #328
San Antonio, TX 78209
Ph#: (210) 822-3552 * Fax: (210) 822-3488
nikki@primadonnaproductions.com

Background of A.J. Garces
A.J. Garces, a freelance illustrator by trade, was born and raised in Cali, Columbia and moved to Texas in 1987. Since then his work has appeared in such news and entertainment publications as Entertainment Weekly, National Geographic, Newsweek, and Playboy. For more information, please visit www.ajgaces.com or call 210.509.9943.

Background of PrimaDonna Productions
PrimaDonna Productions was formed almost a decade ago by Nikki Young and Chadd Green, both alumni of Southwest Texas State University. With rich backgrounds in the arts, Nikki and Chadd decided to help out local artists and theatres with their marketing and publicity. The firm’s services range from résumé designs for actors to entire marketing campaigns for playwrights. Other services include website design, logo creations, direct mailings, and more. Additionally, PrimaDonna Productions has also made a lasting impression with their film and video production work. For more information, please visit www.primadonnaproductions.com or call 210.822.3552.”

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“After nationwide submissions, Artistic Director Eugene Lee and Associate Artistic Director Joe Luis Cedillo selected Common Ground (by Antoinette Winstead) and Before Death Comes For The Archbishop (by Elaine Romero) as the two new scripts to workshop via the Texas State Black and Latino Playwrights Conference. The plays are rehearsed with the playwrights in residence, culminating in the staged-readings. There is a brief audience response session after each performance.”

“Last spring, consultant and entrepreneur J.R. Gonzales traveled to China to experience the country’s rich history and culture. To his surprise, he also discovered a world of possibility.

While visiting Hangzhou, Gonzales, owner of Austin-based JRG Communications, encountered a Chinese girl named Alice working in her parents’ tea shop. She inquired about his ethnicity, and when Gonzales answered, Alice’s blank stare told him that she didn’t know what Mexican-American meant. As Gonzales began to explain where Mexico was located on a map, the girl’s face lit up and she said, “Oh, the KFC taco wrap” ”” the taco representing her only connection to “Mexican.” At the notion of his culture being diminished to a fast-food value-menu item, Gonzales quickly recognized an opportunity.

“The experience gave me a better understanding of how small the world really is,” explains Gonzales, who is also president of the National Hispanic Professional Organization (NHPO). “The Chinese and Latino cultures are actually very similar ”” strong sense of family, work ethic, respect for elders ”” but we know very little of each other.”

Ironically, now that China’s economy is opening more and as U.S. Latinos gain ground as an economic powerhouse, they each represent a community poised for growth, vanguards of prominence. It’s the ideal time, Gonzales stresses, for Latinos to build early ties in China. However, the way he figures it, only a minute portion of total U.S. tourists to China ”” which comprise about 10 percent of China’s total tourists annually ”” are probably Latino. To provide momentum, he and the NHPO partnered with the Chinese organizers of the tour he took to arrange two more trips to China, one in October 2007 and the next in March 2008.

“I’ve dreamed of going to China,” he says. “I’ve always wanted to see the Great Wall, but I never thought I’d have the opportunity. Once I got there, I was amazed.” First, there were the business opportunities waiting for American and international entrepreneurs to tap. Then, there were the silk factories, the jade stores, the ancient landmarks, and the welcoming people. “It was a completely new world. I was totally fascinated, so much so that I wanted to go back ”” and go back often ”” and take people I knew to experience the same thing,” Gonzales says.

The nine-day, all-inclusive excursions priced at a mere $1,399 (see itinerary www.Mission2China.com) are designed as introductory trips. Travelers can go as tourists to explore the other side of the world. Or, they can go in search of opportunity on a burgeoning frontier, because the tour includes an optional networking mixer for those interested in the many business opportunities that exist. “China is a great market for opportunity that is open to anyone,” says Ben Mendez, NHPO chair and president of Houston-based PMG Project Management Group. “We see possibilities for small businesses and large corporations to be part of it. It’s an untapped market that needs to be explored.”

Arcilia Acosta, Texas Association of Mexican-American Chambers of Commerce (TAMACC) chair of the board, says seeking partnerships in China only makes sense. Latinos comprise one of the fastest growing segments of entrepreneurs in the United States ”” it’s a natural fit. She adds, “One of the things we need to do is be more global as a country. We need to get out of our comfort zone to expand.”

The trip allows participants to act as ambassadors of both American and Latino culture. It is undeniable that China and the United States will continue to develop relations over the years and developing an early familiarity will ease the transitions to come. In fact, in a speech to the National Committee on U.S.-China relations, former U.S. Secretary of Education, Rod Paige, discussed experiencing cultures and acting as ambassadors as the best “avenue for mutual understanding and cooperation.” He also encouraged international exchanges, saying that they provide “a bridge between our worlds. As we learn more about each other, and share our future together, we will build a solid bond of friendship in our search for peace, security and prosperity.” In closing, he said, “We must encourage East to meet West and West to meet East.” And that is what Gonzales’ mission to China is all about.

So far, members of the NHPO, TAMACC, Texas State University Alumni Association and other organizations as well as individuals have signed on for the initial expedition this fall. Gonzales, Mendez and Acosta encourage others to come along, explore and experience. “It goes back to establishing relationships with our counterparts in China and seeing what will arise,” Mendez says.

For more information on joining the tour, visit http://www.mission2china.com or telephone 512-289-3758. “

“Substance abuse increases among recent Hispanic immigrants as they replace their traditional cultural beliefs with those of white Americans, according to new research presented today by Oregon State University assistant professor Scott Akins at the American Sociological Association’s Annual Meeting in New York.

The study surveyed 6,713 adults in Washington – of which 1,690 persons identified themselves as “Hispanic.” It is the first of its kind in the Pacific Northwest.

Previous research on the effect of acculturation on drug use has been conducted in states with larger Hispanic enclaves such as California, Florida and the Southwest. In these states Hispanics are more likely to live in heavily concentrated ethnic communities, which may slow their acculturation or assimilation.

The results were striking. Acculturated Hispanics were nearly 13 times as likely to report using illegal drugs as non-acculturated Hispanics. Acculturation involves the adoption of new cultural information and social skills by an immigrant group, which often replaces traditional cultural beliefs, practices and social patterns.

“In general, recent Hispanic immigrants are more family-oriented and have less tolerant views of drug and alcohol use,” Akins said. “Although acculturation and assimilation will provide some migrants with benefits such as wealth and job stability, immigration and acculturation can be a difficult process which has negative consequences as well.”

The study shows that 6.4 percent of whites reported using illicit drugs in the previous month, compared to 7.2 percent of acculturated Hispanics. However, less than 1 percent of non-acculturated, Spanish-speaking Hispanics reported use in the same time period.

“Their percentage/general patterns of substance use are very similar to white patterns of use, which is what we would expect given an acculturation/assimilation model,” Akins said. “When Hispanics acculturate to dominant American society their substance use behavior appears to mimic that of whites, the culture they are acculturating to.”

The research also showed that acculturated Hispanics were almost twice as likely as non-acculturated Hispanics to report current binge drinking and more than three times as likely to report drinking continuously for days in a row without sobering up, also known as bender drinking.

“When people immigrate to the U.S., their patterns of illegal drug use and alcohol abuse increase over time,” Akins said. “In states such as California, you have large Hispanic enclaves that have a protective buffering effect for new residents. But we wanted to find out what was happening in Washington, a state with a relatively small Hispanic population only 9 percent statewide, which is disproportionately rural and dispersed.”

The study controlled for a number of factors, including marital status, education level, poverty, and rural residence, among other variables.

Akins is the lead author on the research, along with Clayton Mosher of Washington State University, Chad L. Smith of Texas State University and Jane Florence Gauthier of University of Nevada Las Vegas.

Akins said the researchers hope to find new ways to maximize the protective effects of low-acculturation, such as the emphasis on family in traditional cultures, as Hispanic immigrant populations will naturally acculturate over time.”

“Federico Subervi, journalism professor, is leading the way to make more research on Hispanics in the media available to the public.

Subervi directs the Latinos and Media Project, a research compilation Web site designed to spread cultural and professional awareness of a group he says is vastly growing.

“I see more Latinos getting involved in the media,” Subervi said. “They’re seeing they can have a voice and make a positive difference in the media industries.””

“A podcast interview with Diana Rios, Ph.D., associate professor, Department of Communication Sciences, University of Connecticut and Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos and director Latinos and Media Project, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, they discuss Latino identity with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast.”

“HispanicMPR.com, an online forum and podcast for the exchange of information and ideas on Hispanic marketing and public relations, released two new downloadable audio recordings, “Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Media” by David Henry and “Hispanic Market Translation Issues” by Martha E. Galindo. The downloadable recordings feature presentations by Latino market researchers and experts. The recordings are available in downloadable MP3 and CD formats, and are priced at $109.95 for the downloadable MP3 files and $129.95 on CD. Details on the recording are available online at www.hispanicmpr.com/resources/hmpr-products

Henry is president and founder of TeleNoticias, a broadcast public relations company that targets the U.S. Hispanic market. He has nearly 15 years of experience providing broadcast strategy and counsel to a diverse client base. Henry holds a Bachelor of Science in journalism from the University of Maryland. Galindo, president and CEO of Galindo Publicidad Inc., is a native of Mexico with more than 20 years of experience. She holds a Masters in Communications from Michigan State University and has experience in marketing communications, organizational development and international customer service with companies in the United States, Mexico, Argentina and Chile.

“Electronic Publicity and Broadcast Media” and “Hispanic Market Translation Issues” are the latest additions to the HispanicMPR.com Resources Section launched in 2006. Other presentations by experts and leaders in the field are: present “Hispanic Market Overview,” “The Next Step: Secondary Latino Markets,” “Latino Media and Hispanic Media Training,” “Marketing to Hispanics Online,” “Search Engine Marketing to Hispanics,” “Latino Family Dynamics,” and “Hispanic Projections.” Experts include: Joel Bary, CEO and board member, LatinMedios.com; Liria Barbosa, senior research analyst, C & R Research; Alex Carvallo, U.S. Hispanic media manager for Consumer Marketing, Intel Americas; Elena del Valle, MBA, principal, LNA World Communications; Brenda Hurley, vice president, C & R Research; Matias Perel, founder and president, Latin3; Roger Selbert, Ph.D., principal, The Growth Strategies Group; Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos; Dora O. Tovar, MPA, president, Tovar Public Relations; and Michele Valdovinos, vice president of Research and Marketing, Phoenix Cultural Access Group.

Started as a weblog for the Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book Poyeen Publishing, $49.95, HispanicMPR.com provides a forum for readers and authors of the book, website subscribers and visitors to connect, discover the latest Hispanic market news and updates and listen to expert interviews and presentations in an audio podcast. Visitors may sign up for daily email updates, search the website for Hispanic market information; and listen to podcasts on the podcast announcement page, the websites audio player or download them for convenient listening on their MP3 or iPod players.

The Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations book provides 435 pages of information, case studies, graphics, market data and opinions based on the experiences of nineteen U.S. Hispanic market experts. Seventeen practitioners and two university academics, contributed fifteen chapters to the book, which benefits the Hispanic Marketing & Communication Association HMCA, is a volunteer driven nonprofit professional association dedicated to Hispanic marketing excellence. More information is available online at www.HispanicMPR.com“

“The retention rate for first-time, full-time Hispanic students at Texas State dropped one percent from 2004 to 2005. The retention rate is now 75 percent, and it has the administration concerned.

“A one percent decrease is so important because every single student is important,” said Jennifer Beck, director of retention management and planning in the Vice President of Student Affairs Office. “We just can’t let any go. We have to focus on impacting every single student’s life. We don’t want to see this trend continue.””

“Psychology professor Roque Mendez, who presented a Philosophy Dialogue on Day of the Dead, said he has traveled throughout Mexico and traditions vary.

Banquets are a major part of Day of the Dead, which are typical in most celebrations, but where they are placed and how the family chooses them varies, Mendez said.

“I remember seeing in-house banquets in Mexico. Sometimes family members would stay over at gravesites,” he said. “Others would have in-house banquets and altars, but they would not necessarily go out to the gravesite.””

“More than 4,700 Hispanic high school seniors have been recognized by the College Board’s National Hispanic Recognition Program (NHRP)””200 more students than last year. The students and their schools received notification of their status in September.

The NHRP identifies academically outstanding Hispanic high school students based on their junior year PSAT/NMSQT(R) test scores and grade point averages. Students are automatically enrolled in the program when they identify themselves as Hispanic on the PSAT/NMSQT in their junior year of high school. Of the 1.5 million high school juniors who took the PSAT/NMSQT in October 2005, approximately 170,000 identified themselves as Hispanic, and 2.8 percent of those students went on to achieve NHRP status.

Since 1983, the NHRP has provided national recognition of the exceptional academic achievements of Hispanic high school seniors. As a recognition program, there is no monetary award associated with this selection, but the College Board is proud to honor these outstanding students. Including this honor in their résumés and college applications may help NHRP honorees be singled out by colleges that are particularly interested in recruiting students of Hispanic heritage, and it may help them attain scholarship opportunities. More than 200 colleges across the country subscribe to the NHRP list, which enables them to recruit qualified, motivated students of Hispanic heritage.

Christie Kangas, director of undergraduate admissions at Texas State University–San Marcos, said, “The NHRP program has significantly helped Texas State University identify and recruit academically outstanding Hispanic students from Texas and neighboring states.” “

“Hispanics have become a powerful force in the media, demanding the attention of advertisers and public relations firms.

According to Deborah Vallejo, vice president for Bromley Communications, an advertising and public relations firm, Hispanic-targeted advertising is critical because of the growing Hispanic population.

Vallejo gave a lecture titled “Hispanic Advertising” as part of Journalism & Mass Communication Week Tuesday in Old Main, Room 320. Vallejo included graphed data and video segments as part of her presentation to show how Hispanic buying power and media habits have changed the way advertisement and public relations campaigns are managed.”

“Hot-button topics play a larger role than tradition in determining how Hispanics will vote, two visiting political science professors said Monday at Del Mar College.

“Hispanics have shallow political attachments,” Texas State University political science professor Cynthia Opheim said. “Loyalties may not be cemented as they are with other groups.”

Opheim and fellow Texas State political science professor Hassan Tajalli discussed survey-based trends and variables affecting Hispanic voters in “Harnessing Latino Power: Latino Partisanship in the United States.”"

“Students can continue to celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month by attending the Tejano Leadership in Mexican and Revolutionary Texas Symposium Saturday in the LBJ Teaching Theater.

The event, which begins at 8:15 a.m. and ends at 4:30 p.m., is being hosted by the history department and has been in the works for about a year and a half, said Frank de la Teja, chairman of the history department and the organizer of the symposium. The one-day symposium will consist of 13 guest speakers from across the country and will highlight the role of Tejanos in the history of Texas from 1821 to Texas’ annexation to the United States in 1845.”

“A documentary focusing on the Tomás Rivera Mexican-American Children’s Book Award was shown Tuesday night at the San Marcos Public Library.

Celebrating the Mexican-American Experience through Children’s Literature featured the authors and illustrators of books that won the award in the last 10 years. The documentary was a part of the Latino Presence at Texas State University – San Marcos: Celebrating 100 Years.”

“Edward James Olmos said there is only one race ”” the human race.

Olmos spoke on the theme of “protest and dissent” Monday as part of the Common Experience initiative, which promotes dialogue on a common theme across disciplines and the community.

Event coordinators estimate that approximately 2,000 people gathered in the LBJ Mall, located between Alkek Library and the LBJ Student Center, to hear Olmos’ lecture “We’re All in the Same Gang.””

“Emmy award-winning playwright and director Luis Valdez will speak in the spirit of protest and dissent Wednesday, Sept. 20 at 7 p.m. at Evans Auditorium on the Texas State University-San Marcos campus.

This Common Experience event will shine the light on the 1943 Los Angeles riots that pitted U.S. sailors against Mexican “pachucos,” known collectively as the Zoot Suit riots. Valdez’s most recognized play, Zoot Suit, and the Pachuco riots will be the main topic of the lecture. Known as the Father of Chicano Theatre, Valdez is credited for giving strength to the Chicano Movement in the 1960s.”

“An integral part of Texas State University-San Marcos’ heritage will be on display this month when Latino Presence at Texas State: Celebrating 100 Years kicks off Friday, Sept. 15 with an opening reception in the Alkek Library’s Wittliff Gallery on campus.

The reception, which is free and open to the public, will begin at 5 p.m. with entertainment, refreshments, and viewing of the exhibit, the program begins at 6 p.m., featuring Texas Commissioner of Higher Education Raymund Paredes as keynote speaker. The reception will officially launch Hispanic Heritage Month on campus and open the Center for Multicultural and Gender Studies’ Wittliff Gallery exhibition, which looks back through the years to 1906 when the first Latinos joined the student body. The exhibit will highlight current faculty, staff, students, alumni and organizations at Texas State.”

“A podcast interview with Federico Subervi, Ph.D., professor, School of Journalism and Mass Communication, Texas State University-San Marcos and director Latinos and Media Project, is available in the Podcast Section of Hispanic Marketing & Public Relations, HispanicMPR.com. During the podcast, he discusses Latino media issues with Elena del Valle, host of the HispanicMPR.com podcast. “