Vision and Purpose
Over the years we have attended Conferences, Summits, Symposiums, and Executive Think Tanks etc...We have all been participants and presenters in an effort to making a difference. In many ways we have. In our own roles as professionals and with our commitment to serving the greater good and our society as a whole, while at the same time trying to address the many issues that have and continue to impact our Hispanic/Latino communities. We come from all walks of life, with different levels of preparation, perspective, philosophies and yet with one common bond; we are Hispanics, Chicanos, Latinos, Mexican - Americans, all of the same ethnicity.
Now we must come together to address the challenges that have kept many of our communities from realizing the American Dream in the mist of the twenty first century. As members of this great society, we deserve the same rights and privileges enjoyed by everyone else. To expect less is totally unacceptable therefore, we must collectively find solutions, starting with education, the foundation of our society, as the number one challenge.
The purpose of this Summit is to bring together Hispanic/Latino Leadership; educators, appointed and elected officials, student leadership, faculty, researchers, professional organizations, public and private non-profits, governmental, business, commerce and corporate representatives from throughout the Southwest and other parts of the country, to begin substantive dialogue on selected critical issues that continue to impact our Hispanic/Latino communities with great societal economic implications. One of our greatest challenges is that we have operated in a silo fashion too long with minimal cross sectional communication.
The selected strands for this Summit are:
- Higher Education Leadership; Faculty and Administration
- Crisis in Higher Education Achievement
- Immigration Impact
- Towards Math and Science Achievement
This Leadership will come together in the spirit of collaboration to reach consensus on recommendations to be translated into strategic policy statements and program initiatives which will be disseminated and presented for implementation, nationally.
If we are to realize a brighter future that reflects; inclusion, educational, professional and economic success, it will be our responsibility to continue such collaborative efforts.