News Highlights

Latino Conference Oct. 15, 16 aims to build student leadership, understanding

2009-10-19
Minnesota State University, Mankato Media Relations Office news release [10/14/2009]

“Latin American Dawn: Traditions and Perseverance” is the theme of the annual Latino Conference Thursday and Friday, Oct. 15 and 16, at Minnesota State University, Mankato.

The conference, sponsored by the university’s Latino Affairs Office, is open to all students, faculty, staff and the public. All events will be in Centennial Student Union.

The conference is intended to build student leadership and to provide opportunities for scholars, students, professionals and community members to discuss issues affecting Latinos in America. Discussions will focus on education, immigration, discrimination, employment, community organizing, student retention and access to community resources to empower Latinos.

It will include individual presentations by students, faculty and community members; general sessions with nationally renowned speakers and Latino scholars; and breakout sessions for faculty, community activists and students. Conference presenters and workshops include:

• Mario Hernandez, Minnesota Department of Human Rights, discussing the role and importance of the census and strategies for Latinos to inform the community.
• Ernesto Bustos, undergraduate student and member of Centro Campesino, discussing the myths and realities of immigration.
• Elia Dimayuga-Bruggeman, dean at Shattuck-St. Mary’s Prep School, Faribault, Minn., discussing “Access and Services: Working with Latino Students.”
• Roberto Dansie, award-winning speaker and clinical psychologist, discussing the psychology of success and “The Path of the Artist Life.”
• Francisco Gonzalez, mediator with the Minnesota Department of Labor & Industry, discussing the changing immigration patterns in America and immigration law.
• David Albornoz, consultant, advocate, activist and scholar, discussing dropout rates in schools and Latino gains in education.
• Jose Javier Lopez, Minnesota State Mankato faculty member, discussing trends in Latin American politics.
• Rodolfo Gutierrez, specialist in Mexican women’s labor force, elderly populations, human rights, and demographic change, discussing “Mexicans: 200 Years Later.”

Those who want more information may go to http://www.mnsu.edu/cultdiv/CLA/Conference/Index.htm. Those who have questions or wish to register may contact Guadalupe Quintero at (507) 389-2811 or guadalupe.quintero@mnsu.edu.

Undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to receive credit for attending the conference.
Minnesota State Mankato, a comprehensive, doctoral university with 14,950 students and two satellite sites, is part of the Minnesota State Colleges and Universities system, which comprises 32 institutions across the state.

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