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From Verizon: “‘You’re my new role model’: V Teamer inspires Latino youth with her career journey”

‘You’re my new role model’: V Teamer inspires Latino youth with her career journey | Verizon [Reposted from Verizon — view the original at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=39K0Vo7KfGI] Lorraine Nieto, director for client services in Verizon Partner Solutions, enjoys sharing her career journey with middle and high school students as part of her work with Citizen Verizon Volunteers. […]

From News@Rider: “Rider announces continued participation in HISPA’s Latinos in College Program”

Rider announces continued participation in HISPA’s Latinos in College Program Monday, Oct 17, 2022 16 students will benefit from additional professional development [Reposted from News@Rider – Read the original article at https://www.rider.edu/about/news/rider-announces-continued-participation-hispas-latinos-college-program] For the second year in a row, Rider University will participate in HISPA’s Latinos in College program. HISPA, which stands for Hispanics Inspiring Students’ […]

Latinos Unite as Role Models to Inspire Our Future Leaders

Latinos unite as role models to inspire our future leaders

Nonprofit organization HISPA celebrates 15 years of service at Role Model Program Kick-Off and Recruiting Event

 

From September 15 to October 15, the United States celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month and the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic Americans. Nonprofit organization HISPA will celebrate this occasion—and embark on its 15th year of educational programming—during its hybrid HISPA Role Model Program Kick-Off and Recruiting Event.

Since 2007, over 3,000 HISPA volunteers have shared and celebrated their heritage in classrooms and beyond, showing young Latinos that they too can achieve their dreams. Inspired by their spirit and this year’s Hispanic Heritage Month observance theme, HISPA’s Kick-Off and Recruiting Event is themed “UNIDOS: Inspiring Latino Students for a Stronger Nation”.

This hybrid event will unite HISPA Role Models from across the U.S. to support students in New Jersey, Florida, Texas, New York, and Pennsylvania. HISPA invites guests to celebrate and learn more about the organization at Montclair State University on September 29, 2022, at 6 p.m. Eastern Time. Guests may also attend virtually. Together, HISPA aims to make a record 500 HISPA Role Model visits during the 2022-23 academic year.

HISPA is excited to welcome several esteemed speakers to the event, including pre-recorded remarks by Dr. Miguel Cardona (Secretary of Education, U.S. Department of Education) and 2021 National Teacher of the Year Juliana Urtubey, in-person remarks by Dr. Jorge L. Valdes (Education Program Advisor, Office of Education and Outreach at the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office) and NJ Governor’s Hispanic Fellows alumnus William Martinez, and live virtual remarks by Alicia Baturoni Cortez (STEM Engagement Embed to Human Spaceflight, Exploration Development and Space Operations Mission Directorate at NASA).

HISPA would like to thank Montclair State University for hosting this event and Dr. Katia Paz Goldfarb, Associate Provost for Hispanic Initiatives and International Programs, for serving as a great ambassador of HISPA’s mission. 

“As we get ready to start year 15 of connecting Latinos from the public and private sector with our youth, our great sense of urgency continues,” said HISPA Founder and CEO Dr. Ivonne Diaz-Claisse. “As Latino student enrollment grows, more schools are reaching out for our services. Validating Latino students’ dreams by showing them the many pathways forward is a priority for a stronger nation.”

HISPA would also like to thank those who make HISPA’s work possible: Founding Partners Verizon and Visa; Co-founding Partners and Supporters Merck, the U.S. Navy, Bristol Myers Squibb, Victoria’s Secret & Co., and Bloomberg; and Annual Partners PSEG and Educational Testing Service. 

Registration is open—commit to inspiring Latino students to discover their potential, embrace education, and achieve success! To register, visit hispakickoff.org.

For more information about HISPA, visit www.hispa.org.

NJ Governor’s Hispanic Fellow Speaks of Program’s Impact During Graduation Speech

The New Jersey Governor’s Hispanic Fellows class of 2022 graduated on July 29. Funded and overseen by the State of New Jersey’s Center for Hispanic Policy, Research, and Development (CHPRD) in collaboration with HISPA, the 8-week program prepared 17 college-going Latinos to excel in their future endeavors via internships and professional development workshops. This summer […]

HISPA President & CEO Visits the USS George H. W. Bush Aircraft Carrier

THE TRIP OF A LIFETIME: MY VISIT TO AN AIRCRAFT CARRIER

I am forever grateful to Rear Admiral Dennis Velez, Commander Carrier Strike Group (CSG) 10, and everyone who serves with him. Because of them, I had the amazing opportunity to visit the USS George H. W. Bush aircraft carrier and experience firsthand the day-to-day operations of this impressive Warship.

This was the experience of a lifetime. From the unexpected landing—going from 135 mph to 0 in two seconds—to witnessing the sheer magnitude of the initiative (there are over 5,000 members on board!), I was truly in awe. I was inspired by the great commitment to the responsibilities and highly specialized tasks of each person I met—including three TOPGUN pilots. I proudly dined with Admiral Velez and his Flag Aide and connected with them over our shared Puerto Rican heritage. I quietly reflected on George H. W. Bush’s life and legacy of service, which started when he enlisted in the Navy on his 18th birthday. And, of course, the catapult take-off left me speechless; the only way I can describe it is feeling as if I was being pulled into a black hole. As I prepared for it, I repeatedly told myself, “If Ellen Ochoa went to space, I can and will overcome the physical challenge of the catapult” (full disclosure: I suffer from vertigo!). 

It was such a great honor to spend 24 hours with so many inspirational leaders that—as an optimizer—I wanted to find little ways to contribute, to contribute ‘mi granito de arena’. I can confidently share that I brought a smile to three Latinas at the carrier store by sharing how proud I was of them and giving them HISPA pins. I connected two young Colombian sailors who had not met and made sure I spoke to them about the importance of peer mentoring. I brought books written by dear friends to the carrier library to diversify their collection of literature and to pass on their amazing contributions. I left behind a ‘serigrafia’ de Puerto Rico so those who are missing home might unexpectedly find this picture and smile remembering their island. 

Some have asked me, “What made you say yes to this trip?” I asked myself that, too—especially as we approached landing on the aircraft carrier! My answer? I am always searching for and providing leadership development opportunities for others, and I felt it was my turn to grow. It was my turn to learn from the leadership of individuals like Rear Admiral Velez, the Carrier’s Commanding Officer, Capt. David-Tavis Pollard and the Executive Officer, Capt. Nicholas C. DeLeo. I took in their core values and their vision to embody a legacy of service, grit, humility, and resilience. 

These lessons, as always, bring me back to my own work and remind me of the HISPA Role Models. We all come from the public and private sectors, bring stories of grit and perseverance to others, and serve our community with humility. Like those I met at sea, HISPA Role Models are an invaluable group of leaders who together are changing the future of America—one story at a time.

HISPA Receives $250,000 Grant from Visa Foundation to Provide Latino Role Models for Our Youth

HISPA will expand its outreach in Miami with the support of Visa Foundation and Visa volunteers

Miami, Florida, August 2, 2022 – Today, HISPA announced a $250,000 grant from Visa Foundation to inspire Latino students to discover their potential and ignite their desire to embrace education and achieve success.

HISPA programs unite Latino professionals with students in predominantly low-income, public middle school classrooms to serve as positive examples for our youth and encourage student success. HISPA Role Models emphasize the importance of higher education and introduce potential future careers. Visa Foundation funding will specifically support the expansion of HISPA programs in Miami, Florida.

The grant is a part of the Visa Foundation Gives program, a multi-year initiative launched in 2022 dedicated to addressing local social issues in the communities surrounding Visa’s global offices. The initiative will also enable Visa employees to volunteer with HISPA to further advance its mission and amplify their impact in the community.

“HISPA has worked closely with Visa employees in Miami for the last five years, and their commitment and passion to giving back is truly extraordinary,” said Dr. Ivonne Díaz-Claisse, HISPA Founder and CEO. “With this grant, we will be able to reach many more students, validating their dreams and showing them the many pathways to higher education and high-skill careers. Organizations like Visa, that understand the urgency of our work allow HISPA to make our mission a reality.”

Visa and Visa Foundation are committed to supporting inclusive economies where individuals, businesses, and communities can thrive.

“Youth education and empowerment are key to building thriving communities,” commented Graham Macmillan, President, Visa Foundation. “We are proud to support HISPA in its efforts to uplift students in Miami and across the U.S., helping to create a brighter and more inclusive future for our youth,” he concluded.

For more information about HISPA, visit www.hispa.org and follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter at @HISPAteam.

To learn more about the latest grants, partnerships, programs, and events from Visa and Visa Foundation, visit: Visa.com and visafoundation.org

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About HISPA

HISPA’s mission is to inspire Latino students to discover their potential and ignite their desire to embrace education and achieve success. Since 2007, HISPA has expanded from New Jersey to Texas, New York, Florida, and Pennsylvania and has reached over 22,000 students. In 2020, HISPA was recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Science, Mathematics and Engineering Mentoring—the highest national STEM mentoring award bestowed by the White House. Annual support for HISPA is provided by Founding Partners Verizon and Visa, Co-founding Partners and Supporters Merck, the U.S. Navy, Victoria’s Secret & Co., and Bristol Myers Squibb, and Annual Partners Bloomberg, ETS, and PSEG.

HISPA Media Contact
Kelly Grossman
kelly@hispa.org

Virtual Celebration Supports Inspirational Programs for Latino Youth

Princeton, NJ – Hispanics Inspiring Students’ Performance and Achievement (HISPA) will hold its annual awards and fundraising event virtually on January 13, 2022, from 7 to 8:30 p.m. EST. The Three Kings Banquet – A Virtual Celebration will unite HISPA supporters across the country to honor the Hispanic and Latinx role models who support HISPA’s educational programs and raise funds for these programs.

HISPA is a nonprofit organization that conducts programs in New Jersey, New York, Texas, Florida, and Pennsylvania. It has served over 18,000 students to date by mobilizing over 3,000 role models. Their message to Hispanic and Latinx youth: you, too, can discover your potential and achieve your dreams through education.

The Three Kings Banquet coincides with the January 6 holiday of The Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, the traditional gift-giving period of the Nativity in many Spanish-speaking countries. HISPA selected this time to thank the volunteers and patrons who share their gifts to support educational equity and opportunity for all students.

Each year, HISPA bestows awards to those who excelled in their commitment to, participation in, and financial support of the organization. HISPA will present its Leadership in Mentoring Award to Verizon, its “Transform” Award for Sponsor of the Year to Bloomberg, its “Inspire” Award for Champion of the Year to Association of Naval Services Officers President Captain Roy Love, USN (Ret.), and its “Share” Award for Role Model of the Year to Dr. Michelle Hernandez, Occupational Toxicology Associate Director at Merck. Dr. Mary Fernandez, a nonprofit strategy consultant and 14-year HISPA supporter, will receive the “Corazón” Award for her invaluable in-kind support.

“We are excited to celebrate the HISPA supporters who showcased pathways to higher education and inspired students to set goals to achieve their dreams,” said HISPA President and CEO Dr. Ivonne Díaz-Claisse. “The Three Kings Banquet allows all of us to bring attention to the critical role our HISPA Role Models play in securing the future of our country.”

Joining us for this event are Diamond Sponsor Bloomberg; Gold Sponsors Bristol Myers Squibb and their Organization for Latino Advancement as well as Merck and Alianza, Silver Sponsors PNC Bank and UPS; and Bronze Sponsors Amazon, Verizon SOMOS, the Shepard/Zanders family, and the Diaz family.

Additional sponsors include Prudential, Beyond Parallel 32 LLC, the Norm Brodsky College of Business at Rider University, Alicia Garcia and the London Stock Exchange Group Latino Network, Miguel Porto, and Walter and Jennifer Rodriguez. 

HISPA’s annual funders include Founding Partner Verizon, Co-Founding Partners Bristol Myers Squibb, Merck, and the United States Navy, and Annual Partners Educational Testing Service, PSEG Foundation, and Bloomberg.

The Three Kings Banquet: HISPA’s Annual Fundraising & Awards Event

HISPA invites you to celebrate our annual Three Kings Banquet! This virtual event allows HISPA to award our extraordinary supporters, celebrate our volunteers, and raise funds to support our programs and empower Latino students.

HISPA encourages you to reserve your event pass on Giving Tuesday, November 30, 2021 at https://2022threekings.eventbrite.com. The first $5,000 donated on Giving Tuesday will be matched by the Díaz Family.

EVENT ADMISSION: SUPPORT THE THREE KINGS BANQUET

HISPA supporters give. They give valuable life lessons and academic and career advice. They give time from their busy schedules—early mornings, late nights, and precious weekends. They give themselves as role models. We are incredibly grateful.

Knowing that you give so much already, HISPA only fundraises once a year: for the Three Kings Banquet.

To reserve your pass to the Three Kings Banquet, we ask that you make a donation. HISPA suggests a donation of $150, the cost to enroll one student in the HISPA Role Model Program for a year. However, all donors will receive access to the event.

To reserve your pass, click on the upper right button that says “Tickets,” then select your desired donation amount. You may also scroll down to “Choose Your Own Donation Amount” and enter the amount of your choice. All donations are 100% tax-deductible. After you make your donation, HISPA will email you a link to join closer to the event date.

EVENT DETAILS

Date and time: January 13, 2022, 6:45 – 8:30 p.m. Eastern Time

Attire: Remember, this is a virtual event, so wear whatever black tie means to you right now. Be it a ball gown or a blazer with sweatpants, wear whatever makes you feel comfortable, fabulous, and festive!

Agenda: Will be announced. We are pleased to announce our awardees:

  • Leadership in Mentoring Award: Verizon
  • TRANSFORM Award – Sponsor of the Year: Bloomberg
  • INSPIRE Award – Champion of the Year: Captain Roy Love, ANSO
  • SHARE Award – Role Model of the Year: Michelle Hernandez, Ph.D.
  • CORAZON Award: Mary Fernandez, Ph.D.

Further details are forthcoming. Subscribe to our newsletter for updates!

If you have any issues connecting to the event, contact natalia@hispa.org