The Dream Lead Institute graduates its first class of fellows at Trinity University in partnership with the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

30, Young-Professional DACA Recipients from Across the Country Complete Intensive, Year-Round Leadership Training to Maximize their Impact in Community and United States

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE                            

SAN ANTONIO, TX – Trinity University and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) will graduate the first class of DREAM LEAD Institute (DLI) Fellows at Trinity University in San Antonio as they take part in a final session and then are commemorated the weekend of July 26, 27 and 28^th. The DLI is a year-round, intensive leadership program exclusively for DACA recipients where the 30 Fellows take part in 3-4 days of training every two-month in different parts of the country. The 30 Fellows are young professionals selected for their current work in their communities, organizations, and sectors. Visit https://youtu.be/CW3IZmtincE to view a video created by the participants.

DREAM LEAD curriculum was designed by Trinity University Professor and HHF Board Member, Juan Sepulveda, and the DLI was founded with HHF President, Antonio Tijerino. The DREAM LEAD Institute is a highly interactive, participatory program that continuously builds upon each session allowing the DREAM LEADers to embark on a personal and professional journey fully committed to each other and making an impact on the community. The DREAM LEAD Institute is seeking additional funding to expand its reach and incubate ideas of the DREAM LEADers.

“I’m grateful to Trinity University and the Hispanic Heritage Foundation for supporting a unique approach to leadership, which is what we believe it will take to move the DREAMer community forward,” said Sepulveda, Lillian Radford Distinguished Visiting Professor of Practice at Trinity University. “All of the DLI Fellows were selected for a reason and we are counting on them to continue their important work in their communities with even greater impact.”

The DLI was also supported by Southwest Airlines, the YWCA, and other institutions across the country as well as Trinity University Professor Dr. Rita Urquijo-Ruiz, Stephanie Montaño, and HHF’s Camila Zamorano.

The first DLI Fellows Class of 2018-2019 include:

• Nancy Adossi, Houston, Texas
• Priscilla Aguilar, Pharr, Texas
• Abraham Diaz Alonso, San Juan, Texas
• Karina Alvarez, San Antonio and Laredo, Texas
• Laura Patricia Garcia Balbuena, Newburgh, New York
• David Carrizosa, Phoenix, Arizona
• Giovanni Escobedo, Edinburg, Texas
• Luis A. De Paz Fernandez, South San Francisco, California
• Blanca Gamez, Washington, District of Columbia
• Yuriana Garcia, Jersey City, New Jersey
• Orlando Gil, New York, New York
• Javier Juarez, Cranston, Rhode Island
• Steve Li, San Francisco, California
• Alex Martinez, Kansas City, Missouri
• Angélica Martínez, Albany, New York
• Victoria Matey, Bellingham, Washington
• Maria Mayorga, Greensboro, North Carolina
• Eulalio Mendez, Santa Cruz, California
• Giancarla Rojas Mendoza, Falls Church, Virginia
• Lidia Monica Meneses, Chicago, Illinois
• Rachel Moon, Brooklyn, New York
• Alvaro Morales, Ashburn, Virginia
• Gloria Oduyoye, San Francisco, California
• Ilsy Bu Orellana, Washington, District of Columbia
• Kevin Ortiz, Orlando, Florida, and Greensboro, North Carolina
• Dayana Molina Patino, Los Angeles, California
• Henoc Preciado, Fullerton, California
• Erika Rocha, Austin, Texas
• Angel Silva, Silver Spring, Maryland
• Carlos Sotelo, Houston, Texas

About Trinity University

 Trinity University is a private, liberal arts and sciences institution in San Antonio, Texas, where nearly 2,500 students discover, grow, and become visionaries to make the world a better place. Trinity’s pathways curriculum blends the liberal arts and sciences with business and pre-professional programs, enriching writing, speaking, and problem-solving skills. Trinity confronts global challenges and the status quo as catalysts for change. Contact: Juan Sepulveda, jsepulv1@trinity.edu

About the Hispanic Heritage Foundation

 The Hispanic Heritage Foundation is a national, nonprofit organization focused on education, workforce development, leadership/service, and culture through agile, innovative high-impact, award-winning programs across the country (Visit www.hispanicheritage.org.)

###