Diversity from a Latino Perspective

1. Diversity from a Latino Perspective Virginia Gonzalez, Ed.D. Professor, Counseling/Psychology Northampton Community College

2. Northampton Community College • Comprehensive, two year public community college • Primarily suburban Pennsylvania • Five campus locations • One urban site • 9488 credit enrolled students

3. Latino Students • 2006 Fall enrollment—905 Latino students–approximately 9.5% of total credit enrolled student population • Demographic growth rate of Latino students experienced a 110% increase in the last 5 years

4. Hispanic Faculty and Staff • From 2002 to 2006, there has been a 50% increase in the number of Hispanic faculty and staff working at the college. • The increase in numbers was 28 for a current total of 84 individuals.

5. College Initiatives • Institutional Efforts Information and Marketing Hiring practices and mentoring Climate Assessment College Wide Taskforce on Diversity • Voluntary Efforts Hispanic Caucus Community Service

6. Institutional Efforts • Information and Marketing • Ads • Website • Bilingual Brochures

7. Sample of NCC Website Northampton - enEspañolGracias por su interés en Northampton Community College.El área a continuación es un medio de información para estudiantes de habla hispana y sus familias. Incluye información de carácter general sobre el colegio, así como contactos en el campus. Por favor llámenos si tiene alguna otra pregunta.Preparándose para ingresar a NCCEl colegio comunitario Northampton Community College (NCC) ofrece oportunidades educativas económicas, de alta calidad y diversas. Para satisfacer sus necesidades de la mejor manera posible y para responder a sus preguntas específicas, por favor determine cual es su pregunta y consulte la lista de abajo para ponerse en contacto con la persona indicada.

8. Hiring Practices and Mentoring • Train all search committees • Highlight area resources • Pair new faculty with a mentor

9. Climate Assessment • Contracted with consultant to conduct a systematic assessment of our climate • Shared results with total college community • Formed subgroups to create action plans tied to budgeted lines

10. College Wide Taskforce on Diversity • Tied to college’s Position Statement on Diversity • Planning and issue based projects translation ESL awareness student involvement

11. Voluntary Efforts-Hispanic Caucus • Includes all segments of the college community: support staff, maintenance, faculty and administration • Highlights cultural values of personalismo, respeto y familia

12. HC Endeavors • Bilingual student orientation • Hispanic cultural calendar of events • Advising luncheon • Workshops for college community

13. Celebrating Hispanic Heritage at Northampton Community College 2006-2007 Academic Year The Carpentier Quartet Latin Jazz, Jazz, Classical and Folk Thursday, November 16, 2006 Main CampusLaub Lounge 11:00 a.m Monroe Campus, The Wedge 3:00 p.m. The Carpentier Quartet formed in 1993 while its members were students at the Juilliard School. Largely influenced by the life and work of pioneering cultural critic and essayist, Alejo Carpentier (b. Cuba, 1904 –1980), the quartet’s mission is the promotion, performance and education of the rich and diverse musical history of Latin America as well as the development of the contemporary Latino musical voice. The Carpentier Quartet's uniqueness lies in its commitment to performing unknown masterworks of the Latin American chamber music repertory alongside contemporary Latin American works. Special thanks to The College Life Committee, International Student Organization and Student Activities for sponsoring this event. “On the Road to NCC” Panel and Coffee Bar Tuesday, February 6, 2007 Laub Lounge 11:00 a.m. A panel will focus on the experiences that led each presenter to the job that he or she currently holds at NCC. Speakers will highlight achievements and challenges, inspirational or influential people in their lives, reasons for being at NCC and lifelong goals. Each will end with “words of wisdom.” Cinco De Mayo Celebration Thursday, May 3, 2007 11:00 a.m. College Center 220 Cinco de Mayo commemorates the victory by Mexican troops in La Batalla de Puebla. Join us as we celebrate this date with food, music,and much more. Do not miss this opportunity to meet students from Hispanic clubs and universities throughout the Valley. Latino Women: Words of Wisdom “Corazones Unidos Siempre” Panel and Coffee Bar Thursday, September 21, 2006 Main Campus CC 220 11:00 a.m This panel will be hosted by members of the “Corazones Unidos Siempre” Chi Upsilon Sigma National Latin Sorority (CUS). The sorority was founded as an education and service based cultural sorority that strives to promote a positive image of the community of color, particularly Latinas. The Sorority focuses on promoting a political, educational, cultural and social awareness, servicing the community, and fostering an understanding and appreciation of the Latino culture. The program will consist of a power point presentation and a panel discussion with current active members of Chi Upsilon Sigma, National Latin Sorority. LATINO CONFERENCE AT NCC“Latinos: They Speak Your Language” Saturday, 14 October 2006 Rooms TBA 9:00 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. This conference is the first of its kind to be hosted by NCC that will address Latino issues. Who may register? Individuals who wish to: a) exchange information with the local community, b) broaden their cultural awareness, c) be informed of contemporary globalization issues, d) recognize and celebrate local achievements, e) discuss Latino issues across disciplines, f) engage in fellowship and camaraderie, g) solidify or establish connections with the College and the community. How do you register? Send name, affiliation, address, phone number, fax number and email to: Profesora Del Cueto, NEH Kopecek Endowed Chair at Northampton Community College / 3835 Green Pond Rd Bethlehem, PA 18020. Phone 610-861-5538 Fax 610-332-6563 sdelcueto@northampton.edu Antonio Cabán Vale “El Topo” In Concert “De Mi Tierra a Tú Tierra” (From My Country to Yours) Saturday, September 23, 2006 Southside Fowler Family Center 7:00 – 9:00p.m. Singer, songwriter and poet, “El Topo” helped give impetus to the “nueva canción” style of popular music in Puerto Rico. He is well known for his extensive contributions to the Island’s folklore and for his unique compositions “Verde Luz” and “Solina, Solina.” His simple yet inspirational verses enchant all listeners. NCC will be the host of the benefit concert, which will support the Latino Leadership Alliance of the Lehigh Valley Scholarship Endowment. Tickets are $10 each. For more information, call 610-861-5337.

14. Community participation • Addition of new courses on Latinos • Advisor assignments • System of support

15. Provide input for strategic planning • Advocate for student needs and college changes • Scholarship and cultural event endowment

16. Community Service • Puerto Rican Day Parade • Representation on Latino boards • Source of expertise for local news • Leadership on local school boards, community organizations

17. Arizona State University • State supported, Research 1 Institution • Four campus locations-one urban, three suburban • Total (Spring 2006) student population of 45,900 with 13.2% Hispanic students or 6068 individuals

18. Institutional Commitment to Diversity • ASU Minority review—university wide diversity self-study was conducted • Hispanic Research Center– interdisciplinary focus which centers on basic and applied research and creative arts • Bilingual Review Press

19. Institutional Programs for Latino Students • Coalition to Increase Minority Degrees Project 1000 Electronic Peer Study Groups National Name Exchange Minority Graduate Education

20. Transition Programs for Latino Students • Summer Transition Academy • Hispanic Alumni Association-mentoring and scholarship programs • Joint reception for faculty and students • Students linked to faculty—academic programs and disciplines

21. Presenters’ E-mail Addresses Jaime Chahin tc03@txstate.edu Virginia Gonzalez vgonzalez@northampton.edu Loui Olivas olivas@asu.edu