Trinity to Host D.C. Hispanic Youth Symposium in July
Trinity will host the District of Columbia Hispanic Youth Symposium, an inspiring program to help develop and grow the next generation of Hispanic professionals and guide 200 promising high school students on a path to achieving college degrees and careers. The Symposium will be held on Trinity’s campus July 23 to 26.
The Symposium is sponsored by the Hispanic College Fund, a nationally renowned nonprofit that provides scholarships and programs to Hispanic students eager to achieve a college education and professional careers. The symposium will serve promising students from Washington, DC, encouraging them to enter the fields of business, science, technology, engineering and math.
Boasting an impressive track record in several major U.S. cities, the Hispanic Youth Symposium has grown into a four-day event and one-year follow-up program designed to increase Latino knowledge of the milestones and prerequisites needed to prepare for and attend college. Its goal is to inspire students to nurture their dreams and take pride in Hispanic culture with educational workshops, leadership opportunities, mentorship and an emphasis on academic achievement.
CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield is sponsoring the District of Columbia Hispanic Youth Symposium this year as part of its goal to improve the quality of life in Washington, DC.
About 8 percent of the population in the District of Columbia is Hispanic, and it is growing at a rapid pace. The U.S. Census Bureau reently reported that Hispanics are the fastest growing segment of the population and the largest minority group in the United States. Yet their rate of completing higher education is relatively low.
“As recently as 2006, only 12.5% of Hispanics in the U.S. had a college degree, the lowest rate of any group in the United States,” said Hispanic College Fund President Idalia Fernandez. “The Hispanic Youth Symposium is working to effectively boost this statistic.”
Trinity will host the symposium in the District of Columbia as part of its extensive focus to help meet the educational needs of families in the community. The university is supporting the symposium by providing facilities and assistance with administration.
“Trinity is delighted and proud to work in partnership with the D.C. Hispanic Youth Symposium to help youth here achieve their college dreams,” said Trinity President Patricia McGuire. “Trinity today educates more D.C. residents than any other private university in the nation, and Trinity’s success in meeting the educational needs of D.C. students is well-known. In fact, nearly 20 percent of Trinity students are Hispanic, and almost all students at Trinity face economic challenges.”
President McGuire said Trinity’s experience has shown that students who receive the kind of support available through the Hispanic Youth Symposium are more likely to enroll in college and achieve academic success in their early collegiate years. “These years are the most critical moments to ensure lifelong academic and professional success,” she said.
Follow-up research by the Hispanic College Fund has shown that participants in the symposia significantly increased their knowledge of the college application process and their interest in internships and community volunteering, as well as having gained a positive role model/mentor.
Media Contact: Lisa Sandoval, Director of Communications, Hispanic College Fund, 202/296-5400.