Program at a Glance

The Hispanic Educational Summit 2008 is an initiative of the NCSHP to promote and disseminate information on the benefits of formal and higher education among the Hispanic youth of Nortyh Carolina.

There is a vital need to encourage Hispanic students to stay in school, excel in their studies and pursue higher education. The Summit has been planned in part to fulfill this need. As you know, educated Latino youth, who become acculturated role models, are a tremendous investment in North Carolina’s future. 

For more information about registration or questions, please call, send a fax or an e-mail to: (919) 467-8424 Fax: (919) 469-1785 or mailbox@TheNCSHP.org

Summit Objectives

  • To serve as an outreach program to promote education among 6th to 12th grade Hispanic students utilizing workshops and presentations.
  • To motivate Hispanic students to excel at their highest potential in their studies through motivational talks by speakers who have achieved success in their professional careers.
  • To offer Hispanic students tips and information to acquire skills and develope strategies to improve their academic achievements.
  • To inform Hispanic students on educational opportunities and school programs in varous community colleges and universities.

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Conference Agenda

Hispanic Educational Summit
Friday, April 4th, 2008

7:45 - 8:30 AM
Registration

8:30 - 9:30 AM
Opening Ceremony
Keynote Presentation: Speaker TBA

9:40 - 10:25 AM
Concurrent Sessions
Exhibit Hall Visit by 11th and 12th graders

10:35 - 11:20 AM
Concurrent Sessions
Exhibit Hall Visit by 9th and 10th graders

11:30 - 12:00 AM
Lunch and Prize Drawings

12:10 - 12:55 PM
Concurrent Sessions
Exhibit Hall Visit by 6th to 8th graders

1:05 - 2:05 PM
Keynote Presentation: Speaker TBA

2:05 - 2:15 PM
Closing Ceremony

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Keynote Speakers

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION • 8:30 AM-9:30 AM • Room 1c & 1d

Guillermo Diaz, Vice President of Information Technology - Cisco Systems

guillermo diazWith Guillermo Diaz Jr. – what you see it what you get. This American-born Latino and hi-tech business leader is proud of his origins and passionate about inspiring others to achieve their best!

Born and raised in Pueblo, Colorado, Guillermo is part of a large extended family – his mother one of 22 children. As his hero and greatest mentor, Guillermo’s mother was the one who instilled in him the importance of family, education and pride in his heritage.

These values were the perfect foundation for Guillermo who finished high school and joined the United States Navy as a Telecommunications Specialist. Recognizing his promise, the Navy awarded Guillermo a military scholarship that resulted in a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration from Regis University in Denver.

It was at this stage in his life, working and attending university full-time, where Guillermo really learned the concept of “flying above the radar” – going above and beyond what is required.

Building on his education and Naval experience, Guillermo then launched further into a technology career that has included increasingly more senior roles in some of Silicon Valley’s most respected organizations. Today as Vice President, Information Technology with industry-leader Cisco Systems, Guillermo leads an extended team of approximately 2000 people across the globe. His responsibilities includes the architecture, implementation, and support of capabilities and solutions to enable the growth, experience, and productivity requirements of Cisco’s customers and partners. Diaz has been at Cisco nearly eight years and has been a key leader in driving Cisco's world-class IT infrastructure.

Even in this busy role, Guillermo remembers his mother’s lessons and places his wife, four children and the family’s turtle at the center of his life.

KEYNOTE PRESENTATION • 1:05 - 2:05 PM • Room 1c & 1d

Rosie Molinary, Author

After crosie molinaryareers in secondary and higher education, Rosie Molinary, M.F.A., began freelance writing and teaching writing full time. Her award-winning poetry and nonfiction have been published in various literary magazines and books, including The Circle, Anthology, Caketrain, Snake Nation Press, Jeopardy, Coloring Book, Waking Up American, and Wishing You Well. Her articles have appeared in various magazines including Health, Women’s Health, Ms., North Carolina Signature, Our State, Charlotte, and Lake Norman Magazine. In addition to her writing, she teaches self-awareness, creativity, journaling, social justice, and writing workshops at various continuing education programs, schools, colleges, conferences, and nonprofits.

Raised in Columbia, South Carolina, she is a first generation American of Puerto Rican descent. A graduate of Davidson College with a degree in African-American Studies and certification as a high school Social Studies teacher, she taught classes, coached women’s soccer, and served as the Director of Student Activities at Garinger High School in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg School system. She received various Teacher of the Year awards at the school and district level during her three years on staff. Troubled by the lack of voice she witnessed in her high school students, Rosie left to pursue a graduate degree in creative writing, hoping that she could use writing as a tool to help individuals to explore, integrate, and solidify their voices. During this time, she also returned to Davidson College as the Director of Community Service and Bonner Scholar Programs. A graduate of Goddard College’s Masters of Fine Arts program, Molinary’s first book, Hijas Americanas: Beauty, Body Image, and Growing Up Latina, was inspired by her graduate manuscript of non-fiction essays and linked poetry entitled Giving Up Beauty.

In her free time, Rosie paints, enjoys the outdoors by running and biking, and works on social justice issues in her community. She chairs HAMMERS, a nonprofit initiative to provide emergency home repair for low-income families in her area, and serves on the board of an affordable-housing coalition. She lives in Davidson, North Carolina.

Keynote Presentation: “The Unlikely Writer.”
Rosie Molinary thought she would be a teacher for life. Instead, life interfered. She’ll share her experiences as a first generation Latina growing up in Columbia, South Carolina and the obstacles and highlights she faced on her way to a Master’s in Fine Arts in Creative Writing and a career as an author.

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Featured Speakers

Hispanic Educational Summit 2008

Click here to view PDF version of this schedule in ENGLISH.

Click here to view PDF version of this schedule in SPANISH.

**Presentations are for ALL grades and ALL audiences unless otherwise noted.**

Paul A. K. Ayivon. Board Member - NC African Services Coalition. “Bilingualism and Success: Principles You Have Never Heard Of.”
The importance and value of knowing more than one language. How being bi-lingual can change you life. (11th and 12th)

Andrew Behnke. Professor - NC State University. “Where the Jobs Will Be When You Graduate and How to Get Them .”
Objectives: to help students understand that college attendance is a realistic goal, to heighen youth's levels of awareness of options for financing college and to increase youth's skills and knowledge of the college application process. (All)

Lyndenise Berdecia and Student Panel . Admissions Counselor - UNC at Chapel Hill. “Public vs. Private: Which School is Right for You?”
Give students a better understanding of public and private schools in regards to academic and financing. (All)

Tania Connaughton-Espino. Latina Initiative Coordinator - Ipas. “Gender or Sex? Who Cares? (Stereotypes)”
To learn the difference between "sex" and "gender", to analyze how women and men are portrayed in the media and how these images may affect the decisions we take regarding our sexual and reproductive health and how they can reinforce stereotypes. (All)

Susan Gilbertson. Regional Director - Catholic Charities. "So What Do People DO in Counseling?"
To encourage youth to utilize counseling services as a tool for helping them find their way through difficult times. (9th to 12th)

Demetrius Harvey & Aidil Collins. Tobacco Control Manager - American Lung Association of NC. “Deal or No Deal - To Smoke or Not to Smoke (Tobacco and Your Health).”
After revealing the truth about tobacco, this presenter will test the students' judgement in a series of game show competitions. This session will review health topics, dispel major myths about tobacco use and highligh policies that youth can support locally. (All)

Irene Godinez. Advocacy Director - El Pueblo, Inc. ”Latino Youth Experience: Education and Immigration Issues."
This presentation will examine the relationship between the personal and the political, the current state of education policy as it relates to immigrant students, and approaches to advocacy that we can all undertale. (All)

Esther Gonzalez. Associate Director of Admissions Diversity - Wake Forest University. ”Preparing for the College Admissions Process: My Life as a First Generation Latina."
This presentation will teach students about the college search process, how to prepare for college, how to select a school and how to apply for admission. (11th and 12th)

Nora Hernandez & Coral Rodriguez. Founder/President and Outreach Coordinator - LAWC. ”MENTAL HEALTH...It's Part of All of Our Lives!
To teach strategies for developing and maintaining positive mental health. (All)

Gladys Madauss. First Grade Teacher - Wake County Schools. "Finding Your Passion, Following Your Dreams: The Story of How a Salvadorian Became 2006 Wake County Teacher of the Year."
To motivate students to pursue their dreams and to encourage them to persevere despite setbacks and roadblocks they may find along the way. (All)

LCDR Fernando Navarro. Officer Recruiter - U.S. Navy. "How the U.S. Navy Has Helped Me."
Outline the educational and career opportunities that the Navy offers. (11th and 12th)

Victor Ornelas. Student - UNC at Chapel Hill. "My Life as a 1st Generation College Student."
Interactive talk between a current college student and high school students in grades 9-12th. This speaker will share some personal examples of challenges he faced and how he has overcome them. He will emphasize the importance of hard work. (9-12th)

Fernando Ortega. Health Teacher - Wake County Schools. "Great Nutrition and Physical Activity = Great Future."
The learners will have the opportunity to discuss how our nutritional and physical habits play a dramatic role in our life. (All)

Roberto Ortiz. Chief Consultant - Vistamar Consulting. "Personal Inventory - Achieving Your Potential."
To take a close look at where we are and where we are going regarding our education, dreams, life, family, beliefs, etc. One of the main objectives is to offer students tools to undersatnd and deal with life's ups and downs. (All)

Roberto Ortiz. Chief Consultant - Vistamar Consulting. "The Power of C(4): Character, Courage, Commitment, Compassion."
An excellent workshop to learn, apply and live by the four C's: Character, Courage, Commitment and Compassion. This workshop empowers the audience with tools and strategies to deal with our daily challenges. (All)

Leon Padilla & María del Pilar Cabrera Román. Latino Coordinator - Alliance of AIDS Services Carolina. "Abstinence, Play it Smart!"
Prevent pregnancy, prevent STD's and stay safe. This session will teach youth how to be in control of their bodies and their lives. (All)

Danya C. Perry. Education Consultant - Communities in Schools of NC. "Gangs: Don't Believe the Hype."
This workshop will focus on the following: understanding external influences in society that promote aggression, violence and glorifies gangs; understanding the importance of making the right decision at the right time; promoting academic excellence and dispelling beliefs of inferiority. (9-12th)

Senior Chief Tracy Perry. NROTC Coordinator - NRD Raleigh. "Navy Reserve Officer Training Corps Scholarship Program."
Giving students an awareness of the opportunities that exist within the Navy ROTC. (11-12th)

Pamela G. Senegal. Assistant to the President, Hispanic Community Outreach - Durham Technical Community College. "Community Colleges - The Affordable, Smart Way to Further Your Education."
To help students become more aware of the opportunities to find a career or to complete the first two years of a bachelor's degree through your local community college. (9-12th)

Felicia Soto & Carol Machuca. Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers. "Transforming the World: Science and Engineering Power."
Encourage Hispanic HS students who want to pursue a career in technology, science and math. Provide an overview of the opportunities for people pursuing these kinds of disciplines. (11-12th)

Maritza Velasquez. Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions - NC State University. "Impressing Your Admissions Counselor."
What do admissions counselors look for when they are reviewing college applications? How can you make yours stand out? (9-12th)

Nicole-Suzette Velazquez. Instructor Ages 9-18 - The Etiquette Group. "How to be Camera Ready: Interview Skills."
Learning the techniques that make a candidate stand out from the crowd when applying for a job. (11-12th)

Alfonso J. Vergara. Senior Project Manager - Stewart Engineering. "Building Buildings: The Art of Structural Engineering."
This session will give a brief insight into the role of an engineering in the ever-growing world. (All)

Donna Weaver. Spanish Services Coordinator - College Foundation of NC. "Click CFNC - Connect to College."
Learn about the hierarchy of higher education and about the free online tools and resources available through www.cfnc.org. (All)

Cindy Winter-Hartley. Abstinence Education Director - LifeCare Pregnancy Center. "My Cyber Life."
The objective of this presentation is to help teens navigate their way through the tangled web of the internet. The goal is to encourage teens and young adults to consider character and integrity in all facets of online communication. This will be an interactive environment that will provoke thought and action. (All)

TBD. Genworth Financial Hispanic Forum. "Become McWealthy: Introduction to Personal Finance."
Learn how to save for the things you want most, how to maturely manage credit cards and how to plan for you future. (9-12th)

Please note: Both of our keynote speakers MAY also be presenting during one of our concurrent sessions.

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