LNESC Welcomes 60 Latino Students for Annual Youth Leadership Seminar Featuring STEM Experts from the White House, NASA, NSF, and Non-Profit Leaders
Washington, D.C. (PRWEB) September 29, 2014 -- On October 1, 2014, LULAC National Educational Services Centers, Inc. (LNESC), the nation’s premier nonprofit educational organization and the educational arm of the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) will kick off its 17th annual Washington Youth Leadership Seminar (WYLS). The week-long event is a life-changing opportunity for Latino high school students to meet first-hand with the country’s most influential decision makers. This year’s WYLS is sponsored by Nissan North America along with program co-sponsors Walmart Foundation and Verizon Foundation. The seminar will focus on the importance of STEM education, policy and career opportunities.
“LNESC is proud to provide this opportunity to such high achieving youth from across the nation. We hope to better equip and empower them to become more active in their communities,” Richard Roybal, Executive Director of LNESC.
The National Journal reports that, by 2050, Latinos will comprise a third of the U.S. population and over a quarter of the millennial generation will soon make up the majority of the workforce. In spite of these projections, Latinos continue to be underrepresented when it comes to in-demand STEM professions, thus it is vital to prepare students in the nation’s largest minority for this new economy. “Nissan is committed to empowering Latinos, and with the most diverse consumer base of any full-line manufacturer, we know that in order to reach those consumers we must be active in their communities,” said Rob Wilson Director of Customer Quality and head of Multicultural Outreach at Nissan. “One way we do that is by partnering with organizations that have shared passion for education, such as LNESC, where we can show both kids and adults the breadth of opportunities available with a STEM background.”
During WYLS, participants will meet with U.S. Congressional Representatives, STEM experts from the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, the National Science Foundation, Fortune 500 corporate executives and national non-profit leaders. These experts will address the students and discuss the importance of STEM educational attainment in the Latino community as it relates to U.S. economic growth and overall global competitiveness.
The week-long leadership seminar will close with the LNESC Youth Leadership Banquet to be held on Friday, October 3, 2014 at 6:30 pm at the Newseum in Washington, D.C, where WYLS participants will be recognized.
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About LNESC:
LULAC National Educational Service Centers, Inc. (LNESC) was established in 1973 by the League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) to provide educational programming to high-need students throughout the U.S. and Puerto Rico. Throughout 14 education and technology centers, LNESC has served over 500,000 students, sent 150,000 students on to college, and awarded nearly $20 million in scholarships. LNESC’s results are made possible by a network of dedicated field staff, top-notch teachers, over 90 school partners, and the support of LULAC - the nation’s largest membership based Latino organization. LNESC works to change lives and build Latino communities, one student at a time. More information about LNESC and its programs can be found at http://www.LNESC.org
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Elia Quintana, LULAC, 760-705-8686, [email protected]
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