For immediate release

HACU Student Leadership Conference
to promote college, career opportunities

MIAMI, Florida – The Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities (HACU) and Miami Dade College will co-host the Student Leadership Conference, Investing in the Leaders of Tomorrow, on Thursday, October 14, on the campus of Miami Dade College’s North campus and several other Miami Dade College campuses.

More than 1,500 middle and high school students from private and public schools throughout Miami Dade County will be introduced to college and career opportunities at an event that will include an opening plenary session broadcast to all six campuses of Miami Dade College.

“We’re excited about this opportunity to show students that college and a dynamic career are realities for them,” said HACU President and CEO Antonio R. Flores, who will join Miami Dade College-North Campus President Jose Vicente to address the opening plenary.

“We want students of every background to know that a college degree is not only possible, but essential for the highest-demand, highest-paying jobs in today’s economy,” Flores said.

Corporate leaders and educators from the Miami area will lead a series of workshops, campus tours and interactive sessions from 9:30 a.m. until 1 p.m. on October 14 that will introduce students to higher education, leadership development, and an exploration of key careers. Student Leadership Conference sponsors include the Ford Motor Company, McDonald’s and Daimler Chrysler.

“Miami Dade College is proud to join hands with the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities as the convener of the Conference. As Miami Dade College targets its programming to our most important resource, the youth of this community, our young people stand to gain important insights into the world of higher education and the wealth of opportunities it brings,” said Jose A. Vicente, President of Miami Dade College’s North Campus.

“There is no doubt that the 1,500-plus school children who will descend on Miami Dade College’s campuses that day will be treated to a truly unique and meaningful educational enrichment experience,” Vicente said.

HACU, the nation’s leading voice for the Hispanic higher education community, represents more than 350 colleges and universities -- including all Miami Dade College campuses. HACU’s membership collectively serves more than two-thirds of all Hispanic higher education students.

Annual pre-collegiate outreach events have become a staple of HACU annual conferences, with last year’s event held preceding the association’s meeting in California. This year’s Student Leadership Conference in Miami will precede the start of HACU’s 18th Annual Conference October 16-19 at the Miami InterContinental Hotel in downtown Miami.

“It is rewarding to see the result of a community’s leaders volunteering their time and expertise at these annual events to encourage so many young people to pursue a new future and a college education with new confidence,” said René A. González, HACU Director of Education Collaboratives.

“We also want participants at this year’s Student Leadership Conference to leave equipped with fresh motivation and solid information about how to apply for college, what financial resources are available and how to choose their future fields of study,” González said.

The Student Leadership Conference schedule for Thursday, October 14, includes:

For more information about HACU’s 18th Annual Conference, visit www.hacu.net. For more information about the pre-conference Student Leadership Conference, contact René A. González, HACU Director of Education Collaboratives, at (210) 692-3805, Ext. 3223 (ragonzalez@hacu.net).