Voces Nuevas
With support from Capital One, the Hispanic Association of Colleges and Universities is pleased to announce its new student advocacy program: Voces Nuevas.
Program Description:
Voces Nuevas Program (translated in English to New Voices) is a student advocacy and leadership pilot program designed to elevate, uplift, and empower undergraduate students’ voices and experiences. Through the Voces Nuevas Program, students will be equipped with advocacy and leadership skills to enable them to effectively voice their concerns and to devise strategic actions that will promote the development of innovative socially conscious solutions at the local, state, and national levels. Collectively, this pilot program aims to empower students to enact change in their communities to improve Hispanic educational and economic outcomes.
Program Components:
- Guest presentations facilitated by speakers, researchers, and/or decision-making stakeholders on related topics and matters [open to all HACU-member students interested in the Voces Nuevas Program].
- Training modules on various topics, such as education policy, power mapping, policy briefs, and advocacy strategies. These training modules will be provided online and will be self-paced. Upon completing all training modules online, students will earn a certification of completion [open to select students].
- Orientation webinar to highlight program expectations and provide participating students with guidance on logistical support [open to students completing training modules online].
- Attendance and participation at HACU’s Annual National Capitol Forum, which will include attending information sessions and congressional meetings in Washington, D.C. [open to select students completing training modules online]*
- HSInnovator workshops led by HACU's Government Relations team to prepare selected students for HACU's Annual National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C. These workshops are conducted online [open to students attending Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C.]
*Students must complete a portion of the training modules online to be considered to attend HACU's Annual National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C in April 2025. Applications to be considered for this sponsorship opportunity will open on December 2024.
Benefits:
Voces Nuevas offers the following benefits to students:
- Opportunity to engage with like-minded students and professionals to generate a more equitable educational pipeline for Hispanic students through training of HACU’s legislative priorities.
- Exposure to networking opportunities with HACU representatives, leaders of colleges and universities, public policymakers, allied organizations, and other corporate/federal partners for learning and mentorship opportunities.
- Opportunity to further develop their leadership and advocacy skills through online, self-paced training modules.
- Paid trip to Washington, D.C. to attend HACU’s Annual Capitol Forum
Students must complete a portion of the training modules online to be considered to attend HACU's Annual National Capitol Forum in Washington, D.C. in April 2025. Applications to be considered for this sponsorship opportunity will open on December 2024.
Eligibility:
Ideal candidates are undergraduate students of all academic majors who are eager to engage with other students, committed to issues related to Hispanic success, and interested in advocacy and/or public policy. To be considered, applicants must:
- Be rising sophomores, juniors, or seniors.
- Attend a HACU-member institution in Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.
- Be in good academic standing.
- Be available to travel and fully engage in HACU’s Annual National Capitol Forum in April 2025.
Application Process:
Applications for the Voces Nuevas Program will open in May 2024.