Awardees to be celebrated during virtual ceremonies – Green (Category)…
HHF, U.S. Army Host STEM Symposium
On Fast Track (LOFT) Provides Career Guidance, Opportunities and Connectivity in STEM fields to Young Latinos
WASHINGTON, DC – The Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and the U.S. Army in addition to CVS Caremark Workforce Initiatives, ExxonMobil, Google, OCI Group, and Southwest Airlines (the Official Airline for LOFT) hosted Latinos On Fast Track (LOFT) STEM (science, technology, engineering, and math) Symposium in the University of Texas – Pan American Community Engagement & Student Succes Building, November 5 at 10:30 am. The symposium was one in a series taking place in 10 regions across America. The leadership and workforce development program was free for attendees and provided career-path guidance, educational opportunities and connectivity for students and young professionals in the STEM fields.
Upcoming symposia in the 2014 series include:
- Miami, FL 1/27/2015 Florida International University
- Arlington, TX 2/24/2015 University of Texas – Arlington
- Houston, TX 2/26/2015 University of Houston
The program features:
- Dynamic, exclusive leadership trainings, led by the Army, designed to help student-leaders define their role within their schools or organizations and encourage them to make an impact on their communities
- Insightful panel of STEM professionals showcasing their different careers paths, and the resources and opportunities available for Latinos to enter the STEM fields
- Chance to network with professionals and other young Latinos interested in STEM
- Connectivity to a greater network of other Latinos in the LOFT network, which includes tens of thousands across the country
Sponsor giveaways/raffle which will include free, round-trip Southwest Airlines ticket, Google laptop, and gift cards from CVS
“With America struggling to fill more than 3 million job openings in the STEM-related fields, we feel strongly that investing in high-achieving Latino youth is a solution,” said Antonio Tijerino, President and CEO of the Hispanic Heritage Foundation. “With more than 10,000 baby-boomers reaching retirement age every day for the next 19 years in the STEM fields, our LOFT program and sponsors understand the urgency of identifying, inspiring, preparing and positioning our workforce. There is no better place to focus than the youngest and fastest-growing segment of the population.”
To support the Hispanic Heritage Foundation mission and LOFT program visit http://hispanicheritage.org/donation and donate now.
About the Leadership Presentation
The training includes information about the seven Army values (Loyalty, Duty, Respect, Selfless Service, Honor, Integrity, Personal Courage) and how these are used to create Army leaders. Participants discuss the leaders that are influential in their lives and learn how these leaders became effective voices within their community. Using the “Be-Know-Do” model in conjunction with role playing exercises, students learned how character, intellectual capacity and the manner in which a leader makes decisions, can influence a group. Participants come away with a different understanding of what it takes to be a leader, including Army Strong.
About HHF and LOFT
The Hispanic Heritage Foundation, a nonprofit originally established by the White House in 1987, inspires, prepares, positions and connects minority leaders in the classroom, community and workforce to meet America’s priorities. HHF also promotes cultural pride, accomplishment, and the great promise of the community through public awareness campaigns seen by millions. HHF is headquartered in Washington, DC, and has offices in Los Angeles, New York and the LOFT Institute is housed at Michigan State University (Visit www.HispanicHeritage.org). Follow Hispanic Heritage Foundation on Facebook and @HHFoundation on Twitter.
HHF’s award-winning LOFT leadership and workforce development program is divided into 10 “Tracks,” or industries, which are priorities for America including Innovation & Technology, Science & Healthcare, Engineering, Finance, Entrepreneurship, Education, Public Service, Law, Media & Entertainment, and Latinas. Tens of thousands of students and young professionals are connected to each other and to mentors and resources; over 50 trainings, workshops, and informal Charlas are hosted across the country; creative initiatives are executed; and hundreds of minorities are placed into internships, mentorships, fellowships and full-time positions with Fortune 500 companies and government agencies. Visit www.loftinnovation.org, and join http://loftnetwork.org to get on the fast track to leadership. Follow @LOFTinstitute on Twitter.
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Contact:
Santiago Melli-Huber, (202) 558-9473