Best practices for mentoring and providing opportunities to Ohio’s growing population of Latino students will be on the agenda Friday, March 6, as educators from around the state converge on The University of Akron campus for the 2015 Latino Education Summit. “Milestones in the Pipeline for Success” is the theme for the summit, which is hosted by the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission.
Dr. Luis Proenza
Now in its third year, the summit brings to educators, counselors, administrators and community leaders best practices from educators and others serving Latino students. This year’s event will focus on northern Ohio’s Latino communities and educational institutions.
The summit will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Student Union. General registration is $10 and the event is free for UA faculty, staff and students. Visit the 2015 Latino Education Summit online to learn more, register and see the agenda.
During the noontime luncheon in the Student Union Ballroom, Dr. Luis M. Proenza, president emeritus of UA, will deliver a short talk and receive the 2015 Premio La Cumbre Award in recognition of “his visionary and transformative leadership in the Latino community” of Ohio.
“The 2015 Latino Education Summit will be an event that offers some exceptional tools for those who so diligently work with the Latino population in the pipeline of learning, from early childhood to postsecondary education that will lead to career attainment,” says John Alvarez-Turner, associate director of UA’s Multicultural Center.
“Latinos are the largest ethnic group in the United States, and they comprise a large group of youthful untapped talent,” notes Dr. Ramona Ortega-Liston, a UA associate professor of public administration and urban studies, who will be a presenter at the summit.
“Unless we educate and encourage Latinos to enroll and complete their college degrees, particularly in the STEM fields — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — they will lose out on high-paying careers and continue to be underrepresented in colleges, universities and job markets,” adds Ortega-Liston, whose presentation is titled “Preparing Hispanics for STEM Careers.”
According to the latest U.S. Census data, between 2010 and 2013, the number of Latino residents in Ohio rose from 3.1 to 3.4 percent of the state’s total population. See “Hispanics lead population growth in Ohio” in the June 26, 2014, Columbus Dispatch.
Mentoring from an early age may be the key to best serving students in the education pipeline, says Ortega-Liston. From her own research she has learned that Latinos’ perceptions of mentoring are positive and they believe mentoring will help their careers.
“What we learn here in Akron may decide the future for many Latino students and blaze a trail for scholars everywhere on the importance of mentoring and what models work best,” notes Ortega-Liston.
Dr. Ramona Ortega-Liston
“I am a first-generation Latina who stayed in college,” adds Ortega-Liston. “I can think of nothing more important than to participate in this Latino Education Summit — to share my ideas and learn from the other researchers and scholars who will be here in Akron. To borrow a slogan from the 1970s — “Si se puede,” which means, “Yes, we can do it.”
Here are the presentations planned for the summit:
“Bridging the Gap Between the Hispanic Community and Health Care, New Medical Spanish Programs at the University of Akron,” Dr. Parizad Dejbord Sawan, UA associate professor of modern languages.
“Preparing Hispanics for STEM Careers,” Dr. Ramona Ortega-Liston, UA associate professor of public administration and urban studies.
“Our Nation’s Need for Hispanic Nurses,” Helen Boehlefeld BSN, RN, National Association of Hispanic Nurses: Northeast Ohio Chapter, Akron Children’s Hospital.
”What Parents Should Know About the Educational Right of Students With Disabilities or Limited English Proficiency,” Katie Feldman and Deborah Dallman, Legal Aid Society of Cleveland.
“Ohio’s Educational Options PreK-12th Grade: Quality Schools,” Lorna McLain, School Choice Ohio.
“Strategies to Engage Families to Support Education,” Zulayka Ruiz and Carlos Alvarado, Esperanza Inc.
”Ensuring Equal Opportunity in Education for Hispanic Students,” Meena Morey Chandra, J.D., U.S. Department of Education, Office of Civil Rights.
”English Language Learners: Reaching Every K-12 Student Through Formative Instructional Practices,” Mary Peters, Ph.D., and Carol Harper, Battelle for Kids.
“Addressing the Impact of Parental Deportation on Latino Students’ Postsecondary Educational Goals,” Luis Fernando Macias, The Ohio State University.
“Northern Kentucky University Latino Programs and Services: Latino Student Success: Destino Educativo 2020,” Leo Calderon, M.P.A. and Miriam Kannan, Ph.D.
“Exploring School Counselor Advocacy in the Career Development of Undocumented Latino Youth,” Cassandra A. Storlie, Ph.D., Kent State University.
“Student Success Isn’t Just About Completion,” Esther C. Kraft, Cuyahoga Community College.
”Leveraging Resources: Top Ten Tips for Educators, Counselors, Administrators and the Communities That You Serve,” Gina Weisblat, Ph.D., Erik Porfeli, Ph.D., and Sergio Garcia, vice president, Office of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Northeast Ohio Medical University.