Hispanic Heritage Foundation and Trinity University host the 2023 National LOFT Leadership Institute Summit in San Antonio, Texas

Approximately 200 Rising College Freshman 2023 Youth Award recipients.

SAN ANTONIO, TX  – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and Trinity University have launched the National LOFT (Latinos on Fast Track) Leadership Institute (LLI) Summit 2023, which is taking place July 19 – July 23 at Trinity University in San Antonio, TX.

Approximately 200-mostly-rising freshman from across the country, who have been brought together for the Summit which will focus on leadership, community-building, professional networking, social impact, culture, and deep dive into their sectors.  Sectors include Sustainability, Education, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Finance and Business, Healthcare & Science, Media & Entertainment, Public Service and Social Justice, and Technology.  Community leaders and corporate representatives will provide guidance and inspiration to the participants but, more importantly, the youth will provide guidance and inspiration through the sessions which include “open space” to tap into their priorities, vision and problem-solving.

“It is critical for these young leaders from all over our nation to be connected to each other through their journeys in education, the workforce, and in the community in building social and professional capital,” said Juan Sepulveda, J.D., the Ron Calgaard Distinguished Professor of Practice in Political Science at Trinity University, HHF Board member, and Co-Founder of the LLI.

“We are simply facilitating and are actually counting and pushing the LLI Fellows to lead actionably on their terms,” added Antonio Tijerino of HHF and Co-Founder of LLI.  “We are grateful to Trinity University, the volunteers and to our corporate partners for believing in our youth and in our methods to put them in the best position to move our community and country forward.”

HHF will be capturing ideas, content, and data from the LLI Summit for a report, which will serve as a youth-focused, set of priorities, vision and solutions for the Latino community and America. Southwest Airlines provided flights for the LLI Fellows, staff and organizers.

Open Space is a process designed to put the power in the hands of the Fellows, not the organizers, to leverage their priorities, vision, experiences, and talents with no hierarchies.  The Fellows will be responsible for identifying specific topics, issues and questions they want to explore and/or share with their colleagues. Creating the agenda and placing it on a virtual grid for everyone to see. They will also self-select, present their ideas and lead open conversations on their idea or topic in smaller group sessions.  The resulting priorities, ideas, issues and solutions will be captured by the organizers as guidelines to support the vision of the young leaders through an ongoing LOFT effort.

The LLI is a critical continuum to HHF’s 25-year-old Youth Awards program after more than 30,000 applicants from all 50 states and Puerto Rico were narrowed down to 300 recipients – 10 in each of 10 sectors or “tracks.” As LOFT Institute Fellows, the students will be tracked and connected to each other throughout college and into their careers with access to additional programs and trainings, resources, activities, mentors/mentees, and sector-specific career pathways including internships and full-time positions.

The LLI was  launched in 2021, and last year, The White House hosted the LOFT LLI  ‘Open Space’ summit in recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month. Hundreds of young leaders from all over the nation went back to  their schools and communities with a macro vision of impact and inspiration, an unforgettable experience, and a call to action. To follow the sessions via social media, use the hashtag #LLISummit23.

Agenda

Day 1 – Arrival and registration. Dinner and opening session

Day 2 – Relationship and Community Building, Special Focus on Identify and Happiness

Day 3 – Professional Networking, College & Career, and Meet our Sponsors

Day 4 – Self-led Open Space and Celebratory Dinner

Day 5 – Closing session and Departure

The 2023 National LOFT Leadership Institute Summit is open to mentors and speakers who would like to share their educational and career experiences with this year’s young leaders, as well as  provide college advice, and discuss any resources or opportunities available in their industry. Those interested can confirm participation by completing this short form, click here.  Please note that no additional preparation is required for the sessions.

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation 

HHF is a national, nonprofit organization focused on education, workforce, social impact and culture through the lens of leadership.  For more information, visit www.hispanicheritage.org and follow the Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, and TikTok as well as the Fritanga Podcast on all platforms.

About Trinity University

For generations spanning 150 years, Trinity University has transformed obstacles into boundless opportunities. Our resilience, enterprise, and creative vision have driven us in unwavering pursuit of new challenges, and new chances to build on this legacy. Carried by this momentum, we redefine the liberal arts by cultivating a community of lifelong learners. Trinity’s 2,500 undergraduate and graduate students come from 48 states and 57 countries. Students choose from 49 majors, 61 minors, and five master’s degrees. With our combined talents, strengths, ambitions, and passions, we are doing more than waiting for a brighter tomorrow: We’re making a better one today. Discover more about Trinity University. https://www.trinity.edu/

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