Latino leadership conference enhances knowledge of culture

Increasing the numbers of Hispanic students at the University and empowering the Hispanic community already at the University were the main objectives Saturday at Kern Building.

The 7th Annual Latino Leadership Conference, "Destino 2000," cosponsored by Latino Caucus and the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE), created an opportunity for students to enhance their knowledge of cultural diversity and to see positive role models.

"It is important that we implement new changes and have an impact on the Hispanic community here at Penn State," said Mereddy Danger, SHPE president and conference co-director.

The University doesn't focus on Hispanic students in recruitment, Danger said, so it is important for the community to work together.

The conference offered six workshops with varied topics like bilingual or special education to music theory and rhythms to mentoring and leadership.

The keynote speaker, Elba Montalvo, focused on cultural diversity, prejudices and stereotypes during the event.

"We all have prejudices that we have learned," said Montalvo, executive director and founder of the Committee for Hispanic Children and Families, Inc., "but if we have learned them, we can unlearn them too."

The conference also provided an opportunity for Latinos to see professionals who have succeeded in their occupational fields.

"We don't have role models, professors or even Hispanic presidents that we can look up to on a regular basis," said Ruben Bermejo (senior-international politics), former president of Latino Caucus.

The conference ended with an alumni panel discussion during which students were able to ask questions, gain networking skills and talk to professionals in their field.

"It is important that we have this (each year) to promote excellence, leadership and community involvement," said Melissa Gonzalez, co-president of Latino Caucus and the conference's other co-director.