Conference aims to improve outcomes for Latino students

Conference aims to improve outcomes for Latino students

By Lynn Cambell

AMES, Iowa – Nearly 200 school administrators, teachers, and students from across Iowa will get together this month to strategize ways to improve the outcomes of Latino students in both high school and college.

Iowa’s Latino population increased by 95.8 percent, or 79,706 people, from 2000 to2012, according to the State Data Center of Iowa.

But the four-year graduation rate for Hispanic students in Iowa’s class of 2012 was 77.48 percent — nearly 12 percentage points lower than the 89.26 percent graduation rate for all students that year, according to the Iowa Department of Education.

“We are concerned about the educational progress of our Latino students,” said Larry Ebbers, a professor in Iowa State University’s School of Education. “We know that there is a high number of Latino students that tend to drop out of high school, particularly males.”

The second annual Iowa Latina/o Education Initiative Conference will be held Oct. 16 at the Des Moines Area Community College’s FFA Enrichment Center in Ankeny. The conference is free, but participants must register by Oct. 10.

The event is co-sponsored by the Community College Leadership Program, Iowa State University along with its College of Human Sciences and School of Education, and Iowa community college presidents. 

“The theme is access, choice, and completion,” said conference coordinator Michelle Robinson, a graduate assistant in the School of Education who is assistant director of the Community College Leadership Initiative Consortium. "Latino students may be able to gain access to college but the more important question is do they have access to the tools necessary for degreecompletion?"

The conference will provide an opportunity for educators to share best practices.

One of those programs is called “Juntos: Together for a Better Education.” Through the program, Iowa State University Extension and Outreach specialists have worked with high schools, communitycolleges, and businesses to help 108 Latino youth and parents increase their understanding of how to successfully graduate from high school and pursue higher education.

“Program evaluation data reveals that after participating in Juntos, parents feel more confident in working with their child’s school and improved in monitoring their youth’s homework, talking with their youth about school, college or other future plans,” said Kim Greder, an Iowa State associate professor in human development and family studies who’s also a family life state program extension specialist.

Cristobal Salinas Jr., a Latino graduate research associate in the School of Education, is coordinating volunteers and staff for the conference. He said it is an opportunity for participants to learn about the emerging challenges and needs of the Latino community, with a focus on Latino students.

“The state of Iowa needs to promote Latina/o success,” Salinas said. “Higher learning institutions need to recruit and retain Latina/o faculty and staff to provide mentorship and help reduce the gap of Latina/o undergraduate and graduate students.”

The keynote speaker for the conference will be Loui Olivas, president of the American Association of Hispanics in Higher Education. Other speakers include Maria Harper-Marinick, executive vice chancellor and provost of Maricopa Community Colleges, and Felix Aquino, vice president for academic affairs at Oklahoma City Community College.

Iowa State University is also playing a role in other conferences aimed at improving outcomes for Latinos.

ISU President Steven Leath will be the keynote speaker and a panelist at the 3rd Annual Latinos inAgriculture Leaders Conference, Oct. 11-13 in San Antonio, Texas. He will give the keynote address at 1:30 p.m. Oct. 11 entitled, “The Future of Agriculture and the Role Universities Like Iowa State Will Play.”

Later that afternoon, Leath will be joined by other university presidents and academic officers for a general panel discussion with conference participants on issues facing agriculture and opportunities for Latinos in agriculture.  

Improving outcomes for Latino students benefits the state as a whole, Greder said.

She cited research showing that students who failed to complete high school cost the state $87 million in reduced state tax revenues over their lifetime, and more than $1.8 million per year in additional welfare costs. In addition, those who fail to complete high school will face higher unemployment, have increased health issues, and in Iowa are incarcerated at a rate 10 times greater than their peers.

Retrieved from: http://www.hs.iastate.edu/2013/10/01/latino-conference/

Make a life

Never get so busy making a living that you forget to make a life.

2013 Academic Advising Award

"Cristobal does double duty for the College of Design as the Multicultural Liaison Office (MLO) and as an academic advisor.  Students have stated that Cristobal is not only their academic advisor helping them define the path that helps them to be successful but is also a mentor, best friend, guardian and much more.  He considers everyone to be equal. Cristobal has developed programs and events that promote awareness, understanding and appreciation of diversity at Iowa State and the College of Design.  He advises around 100 students but he’s also the “go to” person when other students’ advisors are unavailable.  Cristobal is very generous with his time making sure that all students get the attention needed.  This often requires working well beyond his normal workday and may include visiting a class to ensure a student who is struggling is attending.  He has a great rapport with the students and they are comfortable talking with him about their academic concerns.  He approaches the students with compassion, patience, and provides sound advice to help students make informed decisions.  He is frequently sought to present, lead workshops, and contribute to conversations across campus.  Requests for his participation and presentations speak to his expertise in this field and the respect he’s earned as a professional.  The College of Design is fortunate to have him as part of our staff and to present him the 2013 Academic Advising Award."

Dean L.G. Rico,  College of Desing

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Multicultural Liaison Officer

CRISTOBAL SALINAS JR.

Multicultural Liaison Officer
Academic Adviser
International & Design Open

Degrees and expertise
BA, University of Nebraska, Kearney, Spanish Education and English as a Second Language
MEd, Iowa State University, Higher Education/Student Affairs

About Cristobal
Cristobal Salinas Jr. is the College of Design's multicultural liaison officer (MLO). He works directly with prospective and current students from diverse backgrounds, especially those from underrepresented groups.

Cristobal can help you find resources to inform your decision about attending Iowa State University, such as university-wide programs and services as well as programs and services within the College of Design that cater specifically to the needs of multicultural students. This includes information on scholarships, student organizations and academic support. Once you arrive at Iowa State for your first year, Cristobal can guide you through the application process at the end of your Core experience with workshops and one-on-one support.

In addition to his duties as MLO and an academic adviser, Cristobal serves on the college and university diversity committees, the Fraternal-Hazing National Associate Member Education Committee and the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute Search Committee.

Cristobal graduated from Schuyler Central High School in Schuyler, Nebraska, where he participated in student government, speech, drama (one-act plays) and choir. He received a Bachelor of Arts in Spanish Education and English as a Second Language with a minor in dance from the University of Nebraska at Kearney in 2010, and in May 2012 he completed his Master's in Education degree in Higher Education/Student Affairs with an emphasis in student affairs and leadership and learning from Iowa State.

Before joining the College of Design in late November 2011, Cristobal was a George Washington Carver graduate assistant in the ISU Office of Multicultural StudentAffairs and the coordinator for the ISU Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies' 2011 Interview Days. He is a member of the Association for the Study of Higher Education (ASHE), Student Affairs Administrators in Higher Education (NASPA), American College Personnel Association (ACPA) and Sigma Lambda Beta International Fraternity.

Cristobal previously interned in the office of U.S. Senator Michael F. Bennet of Colorado during summer 2009, and State University of New York-Brockport doing leadership development and social justice training during summer 2011. He danced for Center Stage Dance Company in Schuyler, Nebraska, and taught Spanish courses at Elsik High School in Houston during the 2009-2010 academic year.

What led you to become an MLO?
I wanted to work at the university level to help educate and influence students to pursue a higher education.

What are some of the highlights of your role as an MLO?
As a student affairs practitioner and an educator, my goal is to help multicultural college students to increase their success in higher education. I strongly believe that providing academic advising, mentoring, leadership opportunities, and a safe zone where students can express themselves, helps them achieve their full potential and develop their personal and professional identities.

What do you enjoy most about working with prospective students?
I enjoy helping students to discover and create future plans. It is rewarding to me when students take leadership roles and succeed at various levels within the university or their community.  

What is your favorite place on the Iowa State campus?
I enjoy spending time in the Parks Library Reading Room. It's the perfect place for me to read my favorite book, do research and meet with my friends.

What do you do for fun away from campus?
I like to go out for sushi with friends and visit my family in Nebraska. Also, because Ames is so centrally located, I have had the opportunity to travel to Chicago, Kansas City, Minneapolis, Omaha, and Iowa City while attending Iowa State.

Retrieved on August 2013 from: http://www.design.iastate.edu/popupHTML/show.php?PID=20 

Things that I do for students outside my job description to ensure their success.

Things that I do for students outside my job description to ensure their success.

1. Arrange student's internships with public agencies and private companies.
2. Arrange the transportation of students to conferences and professional events.
3. Celebrate important dates in the lives of the students at Iowa State University.
4. Collaborate with Native American Nations through educational programs.
5. Delegate for educational scholarships through the ISU Foundation.
6. Deliver medical, sport, and school supplies to rural areas in Latin America.
7. Design informational packages for upcoming freshman and graduate students.
8. Develop and deliver study abroad programs in the design field.
9. Drive students to medical appointments around the state of Iowa.
10. Encourage students to apply for scholarships, fellowships and graduate education.
11. Encourage students to become international entrepreneurs in the design field.
12. Encourage students to organize their curriculum of classes and balance their lives.
13. Encourage the students to participate in student organizations.
14. Establish educational programs in secondary Iowa schools.
15. Establish partnerships with Hispanic Serving Institutions.
16. Extend the network of students through educational trips to Iowa industries.
17. Facilitate courses on diversity dialogues and learning communities.
18. Help in the preparation of cultural dinners for ISU and the Ames community.
19. Help new graduate students search for homes in the city of Ames.
20. Help students who have been dismissed by the university to get back to ISU.
21. Monitor the progress of the students after their dismissal from the university.
22. Motivate the students when they are feeling distressed by the academia.
23. Network with industry personnel to assure careers in the design field.
24. Organize professional seminars for non-traditional students.
25. Organize professional symposiums and conferences for the ISU community.
26. Organize retention oriented activities for the students throughout the year.
27. Participate in national and international student organizations.
28. Partner with science bound to encourage young students to get an education.
29. Produce recruitment information for the college and the office.
30. Promote tolerance for the views of other cultures and their beliefs.
31. Proofread documents, projects, and professional presentations.
32. Provide academic advice to students and their families.
33. Provide the necessary materials for students to be successful at ISU.
34. Provide college materials to students with financial difficulties.
35. Provide information for students through judicial processes.
36. Provide emergency transportation services 24/7 to students and their families.
37. Search, write, and submit grant documents for additional funding.
38. Serve as a listening ear when the students are in need to talk about their situations.
39. Serve as a mediator during conflict management situations.
40. Serve as a translator for agricultural investors from Latin America.
41. Serve as an ambassador for new students coming to Iowa State University.
42. Serve as chair in several diversity committees at Iowa State University.
43. Support the participation of students in professional development areas.
44. Teach students how to be successful at Iowa State University and beyond.
45. Train students to collect, analyze, and present scientific data for symposiums.
46. Translate a variety of documents for the Hispanic population in Ames.
47. Visit families and their children in Iowa rural communities to talk about ISU
48. Visit schools, meet their directors and talk to the students in large auditoriums.
49. Volunteer for the Iowa Games, the Special Olympics, and other events.
50. Write a variety of letters of recommendations to enrich the student's experiences at ISU. 

And many more. . .