Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Photo taken by: Danielle C. Chapot

Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc.

Thanks for your visit!

The mission of the Lambda Theta Phi chapter is to support Hispanic students in their successes towards graduating.

The chapter fosters leaders, opportunities for networking and higher academics amongst the college environment. Its members strive to create an impact on its community through the ties and services each member works hard to bring to the table.

Last month Lambda Theta Phi celebrated Hispanic Heritage month with an annual event called El Grito de Lambda. At the event, a live-band performed celebrating the independence of Latin American countries.

The chapter provides guest speakers and information to make the UA community aware of its Hispanic community.

To view 2007 awards members from the National chapter have received, Click Here.

"Our fraternity on campus has made waves considering its young tenure on this university campus," said brother of Lambda Theta Phi Jose Rodriguez Jr.

"We have made strides in providing leadership through CHSA, SHPE, JUNTOS, NCLC and USFC," Rodriguez said.

"We have been leaders by taking top positions in each of the groups, setting the example for latinos and our fellow younger brothers to follow," he said.

For more information please visit the Lambda Theta Phi Latin Fraternity, Inc. National Web site.

Hispanic Business Student Association

Welcome back and thank you for your visit!

This week I looked into the University of Arizona's Hispanic Business Student Association. I think that there are a lot of great things that this organization is doing for the UA community and just wanted to share with my readers.

The HBSA was established in spring of 2004. Its mission is to support undergraduate Hispanic business students' development professionally and educationally. The goal is to also support the diversity of the Hispanic community.

"I would say that one of our biggest goals is to create a networking opportunity not only with professionals but also with current students so that we are all able to help each other succeed," Violeta Perez, the HBSA president said.

Many UA Eller Colleg students are involved in HBSA and according to Perez, HBSA alumni "have secured positions with companies such as Macy's West, Accenture, the Vanguard Group, and Intel."

The following is a list of HBSA achievements over the years:
* Two $500 scholarships at the Cinco de Mayo Award Ceremony
*Providing corporate guest speakers for its members
* Participation in the Eller College Philanthropy

Future goals for HBSA include giving out more scholarships at future Cinco de Mayo Events, improving and increasing the number of its members, and hosting more Hispanic Heritage Month events.

"I think the association is headed in a good direction," Perez said.

"We currently have about 15 active members, but as the document says I would like to see that number double by next year," he said.

"I think that with all the Hispanic students on campus, we should have higher membership."

To visit HBSA: McClelland Hall Room 118

Contact:
Violeta Perez
President
Hispanic Business Student Association
vaperez@email.arizona.edu

Profile: Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs

Photos taken by: Danielle C. Chapot

Welcome back!

This week I am focusing in on Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs that I know a lot of people have become involved in here at the University of Arizona. Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs offers programs that encourage academic success and personal achievement while taking up and living out the cultural individuality and distinctiveness of Hispano and Chicano students.

Some student organizations that are apart of Chicano/Hispano are Gamma Alpha Omega Hispanic Sorority, Hispanic Business Student Association, Kappa Delta Chi Hispanic Sorority, and Lambda Theta Phi.

Assistant Director of Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs Janet Rico Uhrig stated that the Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs is "actively involved in the University community in order to incorporate multicultural perspectives across disciplines, programs, and our students' academic careers."


The organization offers many resources to aid students in their development, such as tutoring and scholarships.

The following are upcoming events for September:

• Academic Success- What does it look like?
• Hispanic Heritage Month Kick-off
• Tailgate/Welcome- back Picnic

Calendar of semester events


To contact Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs. Staff is friendly and very willing to talk or answer any questions.

Profile: The Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE)

Thank you for your visit!

Photo taken by: Danielle C. Chapot

This week I am exploring the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers (SHPE) at the University of Arizona. The direction of SHPE is geared towards guiding college students to becoming successful engineers in the workforce post graduation. The intention is to help these students to become professional in their field, just as the name signifies.

SHPE was founded in 1974 by a group of engineers from Los Angeles. Their objective was to represent the Hispanic community in science, engineering, and mathematical professions and positions.

The University of Arizona SHPE chapter is made up of student and professional networks dispersed throughout the nation. Its mission is to encourage participation in Hispanic engineering interest.

Executive Vice President Julianna Prieto said "It not only provides Hispanic students, but anyone who wishes to join the organization the opportunity to network, socialize with other students, while providing professional development, and the ability to develop leadership skills."
"HPE also gives students the chance to get involved with the surrounding community and industries, for example, the Young Latina Forum which brings over 100 girls to campus and provides them a day to learn about careers in science and engineering," Prieto said.

"SHPE is one big family, and I have made great friendships. I honestly love SHPE,
and all its members," she said.

To contact the Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers: Click Here.

To preview upcoming SHPE events: Click Here.

Here is a brief list of those events:

*Young Latina Forum: November 9, 2007
*Spring Fling
*Science Day
*SHPE UA Sports

Profile: Analucia Valenzuela

Welcome!!

This week I chose to focus on profiling a student at the University of Arizona. Here is her personal account of what life is like to be an Hispanic student at the UA, who was once enrolled in Mexico's schooling and now lives in an home that only speaks Spanish. Here is what we talked about!



Photo taken by Daniela Gallardo

Profile on Analucia Valenzuela

Name: Analucia Valenzuela
Age: 21
Year: senior
Major: Chemical Engineering
Where were you born: Nogales, Sonora Mexico

Were you born outside of the U.S. and if so, how long have you been in the U.S. for?
For the last 6 years.

How long were you in Mexico for until you left and enrolled in a U.S. school?
I went there until my junior year in High School. Then, I came to finish high School in Nogales AZ and after that UA.

When did your parents decide to move to the U.S. to provide a better education for you?
They decided that when I was in High School and [were]thinking about my education. The U.S. has one of the best systems of education and technology resources concerning [the]university level.

How has your experience in a Mexico school differed from schooling here in the U.S.?
Everyone spoke Spanish. The education system is different from the one here, and it was easier to express myself and be more involved in extracurricular activities [in Mexico].

What is the primary language used in your family's home?
100% Spanish

Do your parents speak primarily English or Spanish?
Both speak Spanish. They know a little bit of English, but just the basic stuff.

What kind of challenges have you faced as an Hispanic student at an American school?
I think it is hard in the beginning to come to a new place, to meet new people and to live and grow [on] our own. Once that stage has been passed everything is OK. It may be a little harder for Hispanic students because of the difference in culture and language.

Socially, have you encountered any challenges being an Hispanic student at the UA?
No, I think a lot of people at UA are open-minded towards Hispanic students.

How have classes here at the UA been challenging for you, especially difficult engineering classes that you are currently enrolled in when your primary language is not English?
I have to really pay attention to what the professor is saying in order to understand and learn. If I get distracted I don't get what they're saying. I get really nervous when I give presentations. Other than that everything is ok, I might have to work a bit more than other students (ex. If I don’t understand something I have to look it up)

Do you feel that the UA does a good job accommodating students like yourself, and other Hispanic students enrolled, academically?
Yes, The school has a big percentage of Hispanic [students]. UA has resources for Hispanic students and everyone is always willing to help. (Organizations Analucia has joined: Chicano/Hispano Student Affairs and Society of Hispanic Professional Engineers)

If you could label one challenge, in particular that has been the hardest for you while enrolled as a student in the U.S., what would that be?
Being able to speak English well. Also, getting used to the education system .

What do you plan on doing after you graduate? And, do you feel that your ethnicity will ever or has ever stopped you from accomplishing things?
I plan to find a good job and work in [an] industry. Maybe come back to school for a masters if the opportunity is offered. I don't think my ethnicity has stopped me at all. My ethnicity has helped me out in life by having a background, culture and values mixed with my current experiences.

How do your parents feel about what you are doing at the UA, learning English and all?
They are really proud of me.

Any other comments you would like to add?
I’m really happy that I got an opportunity to study in the US. I think that the education and all the help that is offered here is great. I maybe have to work harder because of the language or cultural difference but I think it’s worth it. Like I said before becoming bilingual and learning from different people and cultures made me grow as a person.

Efforts being made to spread the English language beyond the U.S. border:

Hi and thanks for visiting!

I have spent a couple of weeks now discussing bilingual schooling in Tucson and how it has positively impacted its enrolled Hispanic population. I thought it would be neat to explore how the University of Arizona is contributing to English taught education to its Hispanic students, so yesterday I visited the Center for English as a Second Language (CESL), and picked up some great information regarding a program they have started that offers evening classes to those interested in learning English as a second language. Here is the neat part-- the classes are offered in Nogales, Sonora. This way, the UA is reaching out without giving those who are interested in enrolling in the program, the means or the need to have to be in U.S. to benefit from its assistance.

Photo taken by Danielle C. Chapot

CESL, the "only nationally accredited intensive English program in Arizona," according to its Web site, offers two types of English classes to its Nogales students: General English and Business English. The following is what each of them offer:

General English:
*Speaking
*Listening
*Reading
*Writing
(Each is offered in four different levels: Low, Intermediate, High, Advanced)

Business English:
(Must of intermediate level in both spelling and writing, first)
*Write and "role play" for specific business scenarios
*Resume and cover letter work
*Business plan developing

Approaching their 36th year of service, CESL has prided themselves on its "award- winning faculty," inexpensive classes, and primary goal: to advance careers based upon English skills learned.

In an interview I had with Dr. Alfred Stover, the Assistant Director for Student Services and Communication, he explained that there are currently 69 students enrolled in the Nogales English teaching program. A couple of years ago, Hispanics came to the U.S. to take advantage of the CESL classes but once 9/11 occurred, it became very hard for people to cross the border to learn English. As a result, CESL decided to offer its classes in Nogales. "It is easier for us to send our teachers across the border," Stover said. "[It just became] so cumbersome for students to get up here and take the classes." After 3 years in operation, Stover expressed excitement for the program as he stated "it's been pretty successful so far."


The following is a quick You Tube video of a teacher from a Mexico city, Juarez, who displays an effort to enforce English speaking in his classroom, as he prompts his students with questions that help them practice speaking where things are in relation to other things, in English.

Davis Bilingual Magnet School

Hey Everyone,

So, I wanted to look further into what was going on at Davis Bilingual Magnet School and decided to contact the principal, Christopher Loya. In an interview I had with him last week, we discussed the bilingual program that is taking place at the school and explored the beneficial aspects of upholding such a program. Here is what was discussed:


Click here to listen to interview


Q: Explain the schools overall philosophy and goal for the success of its students.
A: "[The] students can and should be bilingual"
Three goals to reach for:
*Cross cultural attitudes
*Biliteracy
*High academic achievement
Q: Tell me a little bit about the bilingual program you have, when it was started, and how you maintain this program in your curriculum?
A: Loya said that he maintains his program by instilling in the children a Dual Language Immersion Program that is a bit more language intensive than others. All K-1 grades have classes entirely in Spanish. Second graders have 85% of their classes in Spanish, and 3-5 grades have 70% of their classes in Spanish.
Q:Are there any personal thoughts you have regarding any dual language schooling program?
A: Loya quoted Dr. Luis Moll from the Univerisity of Arizona who stated, "If your child is coming out of the school system and it's not bilingual and biliterate, then you are being short changed by the system." Loya said that he believes Moll's quote best represents what his schools' overall mission is geared towards achieving.
Q: How has the bilingual program proven to be successful for the students?
A: Loya answered by saying that it has been based on the high academic success of the students, as their scores are currently in the top 1/4 of schools in Tucson.
Q: Have you personally encountered any people, parents etc. that have been against what you are doing in your bilingual program here at Davis School?
A: Loya stated that he had not encountered anyone, personally, who has been against the program. He stated, "There's a lot of political clout." "We try to integrate the community as much as possible into our school [and] the school has added to the community quite a bit." Loya also stated that some people do not agree with bilingual education because "a lot of it is just miscommunication."
Q: Statistics: Percentages of students enrolled:
A: White ~23%
Hispanics ~71%
African American/Asian etc. ~1-2%
Q: Are there any other personal thoughts or comments you would like to add?
A: Loya stated that the school is an award winning school, as it has brought in awards from various departments, such as their teacher staff award and their counseling program award. Loya also stated that the school is "easy to sell," as there now stands a waiting list for entrance into the school.