Latino Advocate Program
Fall 2009 – Spring 2010

Apply Now On-Line! - New Extended Deadline: Wed. October 14th!

WHY THIS PROGRAM?
The Latino community has definitely made its mark in campus history. The US Latino Studies program, for example, was an enormous accomplishment that took an equally enormous effort from the Latino community to achieve. However accomplishments like this one have proven to be the result of a slow process. Many students are not given the leadership training to carry on the legacy that graduating leaders left behind. New student leaders lose momentum in key issues that affect the community and are forced to start over, making change a slow process. The Latino Advocate Program seeks to close this informational slit by training and informing freshmen and sophomore students so that they may be better able to serve and represent the Latino community on campus in the leadership roles they will undertake in future years.

WHAT IS THE GOAL OF THE PROGRAM?
The goal of the program is to move first and second year students into leadership positions that will benefit the community and create positive change.

WHAT CAN I EXPECT FROM THIS PROGRAM?
The LAP will provide you with essential tools needed to learn about and tackle the issues that face the Latino community at the University of Maryland. These are some of the topics of the workshops that we provide:
* Defining the Latino community: Whom are you advocating for?
* Organizational Structures
* Networking
* How meetings are run/Logistics
* Conflict Management
* And many other Leadership oriented workshops

More importantly, you will learn about the Latino Community from the community itself
by immersing yourself in community run events and meetings and hearing Latina/os voice their concerns firsthand. You will have the opportunity to observe executive board meetings and shadow current leaders.

You can expect to feel better prepared to represent the Latino community in a leadership position in any campus student organization and you will feel better equipped to take action and leave your mark.

WHAT IS EXPECTED OF ME IN THE PROGRAM?
You will need to commit to all three sessions, as well as other Latino community related events on campus. If you are a first or second year student, are a passionate individual who is motivated and willing to take initiative by becoming an advocate for the Latino community, then you are a great candidate for this program.

HOW DO I APPLY? Apply Now On-Line!
Please express your interest in applying to be a participant by submitting an application on-line. If you have any questions regarding the application, contact Ana Reyes Albarracin at anamaria@umd.edu. The application is due October 1st, 2009.

HOW DID THE PROGRAM GET STARTED?
The program stemmed from an Honors Project as part of the Spring 2009 EDCP 418C Latino Leadership course. A former student, Arelis Hernandez, wanted to make the course eligible for honors, thus she had to construct something in addition to a final paper. As a student leader herself, Arelis believed it would be beneficial to have a few training sessions for young Latino college students who had begun to illustrate leadership potential and who had shown an interest in being part of the change that needed to happen in the Latino community. As part of her project she had to implement a Latino leadership model, the Latino Advocate Program. The program will include similar elements like last year, but will also have clear learning outcomes, a formal assessment process, and a staff dedicated to its success.

If your unit or department would like to co-sponsor and support this program please contact Pamela Hernandez, Pamela@umd.edu, (301) 314-5822.

WHAT STUDENTS ARE SAYING
These are just some reflective thoughts students had after each session in the spring of 2009.

“I came away with even more questions though. Questions that question the necessity of many of the visions we have as Latinos for the University. It is so easy for us to assume that what we want is what everyone wants and should have. Therefore, one of the more important “next steps” is for us to be able to connect with the students we hope to represent.”

“This workshop was really helpful. It gave me a “push” to do and want to achieve greater things on campus. The speakers gave a lot of helpful information and most of all everyone showed an interest of wanting to help “potential” leaders. And at the end writing down the leadership qualities others and yourself see is really helpful and gave me confidence in myself to strive for better things.”
“I learned a lot through this session. I learned that listening is very important. Always let your voice be heard, but with the same courtesy, allow others to be heard as well. I also hope to develop my networking skills with the tips and techniques taught to us.”

“What really helped me and what will hopefully open up bigger and better opportunities for myself and everyone else involved today is the list of resources, people and places, that can help out students in many ways, as far as academics and job opportunities.”

The students describe a welcoming and enjoyable environment. They also express how they were challenged to think of themselves as leaders and advocates of a community, through processes of self-reflection on leadership skills, resources needed, and issues to be aware of in the community. Join us for the experience!

WHO RUNS THE PROGRAM?
There are three individuals organizing and planning the training sessions. Get to know us and contact us for questions and comments.

Rossana Espinoza Student Co-Coordinator, Latino Advocate Program Contact: rossana1@umd.edu

Hola! My name is Rossana Espinoza and I am a junior government and politics major with a minor in Spanish at the University of Maryland. I was born in Bolivia and lived there until my parents decided to move to the U.S. in search of a better life. I have four siblings and a pet and my family is very important to me. I am interested in advocating for Latino and immigrant rights especially in these times when we are facing much opposition and hardships. I aspire to go to graduate school and receive my masters in public policy. Students, I wanted to remind you that advocacy is not just for the ideals or moral beliefs, but also for the accountability that we have as privileged members of our society. We have the opportunity to speak out for the less privileged- the undocumented father, the women who clean our facilities, and students just like us who do not enjoy the same rights. The opportunity to act is always there. Time, though, tends to run out.

Ana Reyes Albaraccin Student Co-Coordinator, Latino Advocate Program Contact: anamaria@umd.edu

Hello! I am an Ecuadorian Anthropology (Archaeology) and Spanish (Linguistics) double major. I learned about the Latino Community’s struggle in this country formally in USLT201, a Latino Studies class offered here at UM. But, perhaps like you, I have also learned about the struggle through my personal experiences and by being part of that community. My involvement on campus student organizations started sophomore year with the Latino Student Union. I know that it can be tough to get yourself out there and make your voice be heard. We need to become familiar with the issues and the environment in which we will be advocating for change. That is why I think the Latino Advocate Program would be of great benefit to the community by familiarizing new leaders with the issues, the different ways you can help, and the environment of student involvement. I am proud to be part of this new program and I am excited to see its results in future years. My advice to new student leaders: Craft your own doors, turn the knob yourself and take someone through it with you. Use what you are good at and what you like doing, to help your community.

Pamela Hernandez Staff Coordinator, Latino Advocate Program Contact: Pamela@umd.edu, Office (301) 314-5822

I am the Coordinator for Latino/a Student Involvement and Advocacy. Originally from Houston, TX and with roots in Honduras, Central America, I have experience in K-12 and higher education systems having worked in private and public higher education institutions and involvement in local school initiatives. I received my Masters Science in Educational Leadership from the University of Oregon, and my Bachelors of Art from Knox College, in Galesburg, IL. I advise multicultural and multi-ethnic students and organizations, assist in event programming, and develop leadership development programs, such as the Latino Advocate Program. I also do research on Latinas in higher education, P-16 educational policies, leadership development theories and practices, and feminist epistemologies, just to name a few.

The Latino Advocate Program is sponsored by Multicultural Involvement & Community Advocacy, a unit within the Adele H. Stamp Student Union. For inquiries contact MICA at MICA-contact@umd.edu, (301) 314-8600.