Latina
Connection unites, empowers women
By Daniel Frias
On-line Forty-Niner
The
Latina Connection conference, sponsored
by Latinas Unidas, a support group for women
on campus and Lambda Theta Alpha, will be
held in the University Student Union ballrooms
9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Friday.
The goal of the conference is to encourage
the persistence and retention rates of Latin
American women through connection, empowerment
and mentorship.
“The goal is retention,” Rosa Moreno-Alcaraz
said, psychologist for Counseling and Psychological
Services. “The sense is that if they get
to know some Latin-American students and
faculty then they have someone to talk to.”
At 10 percent, Latin-American students currently
have one of lowest retention rates in the
nation, according to statistics from the
U.S. Census Bureau 2001. White students
have a 30 percent college graduation rate.
Asian students have a 53 percent graduation
rate and black students have a 17 percent
graduation rate.
“Something is going on and it doesn’t have
to do with intelligence,” Moreno-Alcaraz
said. “It has to do with other factors and
we need to address those factors.”
The conference will consist of small group
discussions that will focus on getting to
know yourself, exploring the role of culture
and family in educational achievement, valuing
the diversity of the Latin American community,
and learning strategies for life-long success.
The group discussions will be facilitated
by faculty and students.
Alcaraz said it’s important to have this
conference because often times students
feel isolated ,disconnected and lost.
“This conference will help them connect
with other students and form friendships,”
Moreno-Alcaraz said. “It’s important culturally
to have a connection and see other Latinas
doing it. As Latina faculty and staff we
can help these girls through our shared
experiences.”
This is the second year that Latinas Unidas
and Lambda Theta Alpha Sorority have sponsored
the conference.
Assistant Director of University Outreach,
and facilitator of Latinas Unidas, Rosa
Carrillo said last year’s conference went
well and received positive responses.
“All the comments on our evaluations sheets
were positive,” said Carrillo.
“One person wrote, ‘I liked being united
with many Latinas because it felt so familiar
and comfortable to be there with them and
share so many similar situations” Carillo
said.
Another student who attended the conference
said it was motivating and the small group
discussions let her know she was not alone
she said. “It’s important for us. We are
Latinas on campus and we need to support
each other.”
Students are required to register for the
conference by Wednesday.
|
