“100 Role Models in 100 Hours” Recruiting Event
University of Texas at San Antonio

San Antonio, TX – A tried and tested role model program for Hispanic middle school students will begin in San Antonio, Texas with an initiative to recruit 100 role models in 100 hours. The HISPA Role Model Bureau, a national non-profit organization that provides professional Hispanic role models for young students, is hosting a recruiting event on May 25 at the University of Texas at San Antonio (UTSA). HISPA is the acronym for Hispanics Inspiring Students Performance and Achievement.

The program begins at 3:00 pm with a networking reception for Hispanic professionals interested in serving as role models. A panel discussion follows on the theme of "The Time to Inspire Our Youth is NOW," with leaders of professional organizations who have joined the "100 Role Models in 100 Hours" campaign. The activities will take place in University Ballroom 2, UTSA Main Campus. Prior to the kick-off and recruiting event, HISPA will hold a youth conference on the UTSA campus with the theme “Take Action! Achieve your Dreams!” Invited students will take part in workshops presented by volunteer role models from UTSA’s Office of P-20 Initiatives, AT&T, SWR, Microsoft and Protto. Topics include social and digital media, cyber-bullying, engineering, and robotics.

HISPA (www.hispa.org) has recruited more than 700 role models and reached thousands of students through year-round programs in New Jersey where it is based. The majority of the role models are in STEM fields: Science, Technology, Engineering and Math. It has also conducted programs in New York City and Chicago.

“We’re excited to extend our programs to San Antonio,” said Dr. Ivonne Díaz-Claisse, president and founder of HISPA, which will mark its fifth year in October. “Our goal is to recruit 100 role models to hit the ground running and build the program over the coming years. This is an excellent opportunity for Hispanic professionals to come together and contribute to the academic success and careers of our youth.”

San Antonio offers HISPA a highly receptive environment, a large Hispanic school enrollment and a large number of potential role model professionals in San Antonio, added Díaz-Claisse. “We focus our energies on youth at that delicate period when they begin to think about college and careers,” she explained.

Dr. Diaz-Claisse visits with students at a school in New Jersey

HISPA has committed to work with five schools in the next academic year. Two schools already selected are Cable Elementary (grade 5), and Anson Jones Middle School (grade 8).

In addition to UTSA, organizations supporting HISPA’s efforts in San Antonio include AT&T HACEMOS, an Employee Resource Group; the San Antonio chapter of the Association of Latinos; National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) San Antonio; Mexican-American Bar Association of San Antonio; and the San Antonio Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. Supporters also include Educational Testing Service, whose K-12 Division is headquartered in San Antonio and which supports HISPA in New Jersey; AT&T; and the College Board.

One of HISPA’s key strategies is to support educational programs in institutions wherein at least half of the students are Hispanic. It also partners with organizations that have mentoring programs.

For more information, visit www.hispa.org, or contact Mauricio Lemonk at Mauricio.l@hispa.org,917.531.5392. RSVP required: http://hispa.pingg.com/HISPASanAntonio