LULAC, GM Arlington Assembly Celebrate New Technology Lab at The University of Texas at Arlington
Arlington, Texas (PRWEB) February 06, 2016 -- Today, the League of United Latin American Citizens and representatives of the General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant held a ribbon cutting ceremony at The University of Texas at Arlington to open a technology lab in the UTA Center for Mexican American Studies.
The effort is part of LULAC’s Empower Hispanic America with Technology initiative.
“LULAC appreciates the partnership with General Motors because it will help to provide Latino youth with computers and other resources to help them be successful and pursue careers in STEM fields,” said LULAC National President Roger C. Rocha, Jr.
LULAC’s Empower Hispanic America with Technology initiative focuses on helping Latino youth navigate the college admissions process and explore education in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics. At the technology lab, UTA students will offer computer assistance with college applications and information about STEM programs.
“The lab will further strengthen the university’s ability to serve the community and provides another powerful path to engage prospective students and help them to earn college degrees,” said UTA President Vistasp M. Karbhari.
“As a Hispanic-serving institution, UTA is especially grateful for the support of LULAC and the leadership of the General Motors Arlington Assembly Plant,” President Karbhari said. “This initiative will enable us to reach deeper into our communities to ensure that all students – and especially those who want to pursue STEM careers – can achieve their academic dreams.”
Funding for the new technology center comes from $1 million in grants that the GM Foundation provided to several Hispanic organizations in September 2015. The goal of the grants was to empower young Latinos to pursue degrees in STEM fields and to prepare them to enter the global workforce.
“This is an incredible initiative that we are pleased to support. STEM education and outreach is a pillar for GM,” said Juan Carlos Jimenez, Arlington General Motors plant manager. “By using the GM Foundation grant funds to build this center for technology, we not only have the space to share our industry knowledge and innovations, but will also help prepare a workforce for the future.”
About The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)
The League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) is the nation’s largest and oldest civil rights volunteer-based organization that empowers Hispanic Americans and builds strong Latino communities. Headquartered in Washington, DC, with 1,000 councils around the United States and Puerto Rico, LULAC’s programs, services and advocacy address the most important issues for Latinos, meeting critical needs of today and the future. For more information, visit http://www.LULAC.org.
About the General Motors Foundation
Since its inception in 1976, the GM Foundation has donated hundreds of millions of dollars to American charities, educational organizations and to disaster relief efforts worldwide. The GM Foundation focuses on supporting Education, Health and Human Services, Environment and Energy and Community Development initiatives, mainly in the communities where GM operates. Funding of the GM Foundation comes solely from GM. The last contribution to the GM Foundation was made in 2001. For more information, visit http://www.gm.com/gmfoundation.
About The University of Texas at Arlington
The University of Texas at Arlington is a comprehensive research institution of more than 51,000 students in campus-based and online degree programs and is the second-largest institution in The University of Texas System. The Chronicle of Higher Education ranked UTA as one of the 20 fastest-growing public research universities in the nation in 2014. U.S. News & World Report ranks UTA fifth in the nation for undergraduate diversity. The University is a Hispanic-Serving Institution and is ranked as the top four-year college in Texas for veterans on Military Times’ 2016 Best for Vets list. Visit http://www.uta.edu to learn more, and find UTA rankings and recognition at http://www.uta.edu/uta/about/rankings.php.
UTA Center for Mexican American Studies
UTA’s Center for Mexican American Studies was founded in 1994 by legislative mandate and is an academic unit of the College of Liberal Arts dedicated to enhancing the study and understanding of Mexican American and other Latino populations in the United States. The center administers an 18-hour academic minor in Mexican American Studies; promotes research and recruitment, retention and professional development of faculty engaged in studies on Latino issues; and serves as a bridge between the University and the Latino community across North Texas. Visit http://www.uta.edu/cmas/ to learn more.
Paloma Zuleta, LULAC, http://www.lulac.org, 202-812-4477, [email protected]
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