Thursday, October 16, 2008

2:00 - 4:00 pm

4:00 - 4:45 pm 

Registration Opens

Crystal Ball or Snow Globe?: Examining the Future of Latinos in the Education Pipeline
Deborah A. Santiago, Vice President for Policy and Research,   Excelencia in Education

• Discussions about the future of Latinos in education tend to emphasize either demographic projections or isolated components of the educational pipeline. This presentation will provide critical data on the condition of Latinos in the educational pipeline today, provide examples of efforts to strengthen the pipeline for Latino students, and set the tone for a broader discussion in this student success series.
   

 Opening Reception

Friday, October 17, 2008

Talking Progress: Moving from Challenges to Solutions for Latino Students and American Society
Watson Scott Swail, President & CEO, Educational Policy Institute

• Policy analysts and researchers are quick to define the challenges facing Latino students on the pathway to and through higher education. Dr. Watson Scott Swail, author of Latino Students and the Educational Pipeline, will move the discussion from challenges to solutions in this morning keynote presentation. 
  
  

9:30 - 10:45 am

 
11:00 - 12:15 p.m.

• This two-hour concurrent session will include two segments:  1) a PowerPoint presentation describing the changing demographics in Texas and the nation resulting in Latinos being the fastest-growing ethnic group and examining the significant educational attainment gaps experienced by Latinos; and 2) participant group interaction about these issues. What are the pipeline challenges for Latinos in Texas?  What are some promising practices and bold actions being taken in Texas to address these challenges? 

Session II - Challenging traditions: Contributions of Latino/a fraternities and sororities to Latina/o college student success
Juan Guardia, Director, Office of Multicultural Affairs, Florida State University & Michelle Espino, Assistant Professor, University of Georgia

• The purpose of this session is to explore the positive contributions of Latina/o fraternities and sororities to the success of Latina/o college students.  Participants will learn about the history of these established organizations, dispel myths and stereotypes about the Latina/o fraternal movement, and discuss potential institutional mechanisms that can support the growth and development of these organizations on college campuses in an effort to retain and empower Latina/o students.
   

1:30 - 2:45 pm 

 
3:00 - 4:15 pm

• Can we get Latino families to workshops? Yes! Presenters will demonstrate the impact of genuinely connecting with the community by utilizing workshop leaders that reflect the local demographics. The AVANZA 2 College project is a successful partnership with the public schools and community that provides workshops to high school seniors and their families to assist in applying and enrolling in college. The project resulted in increased college enrollment for seniors and the success of Latino/a students at Holyoke Community College.

Session IV - Paths to Discovery: Autobiographies from Chicanas with Careers in Science, Mathematics, and Engineering
Elsa Ruiz, Assistant Professor, Interdiscplinary Learning and Teaching Department, The University of Texas at San Antonio

• Paths to Discovery: Autobiographies from Chicanas in Careers in Science, Mathematics and Engineering a book of inspiring "testimonios", personal stories as told by two out of the ten women contributors. One is teaching at UTSA and the other is a retired soil chemist. These stories tell of how science and mathematics interests in early years developed into a career in Science and Mathematics not without challenges and a great deal of determination.These stories are important for young females to study science and mathematics and to create careers in these subjects.