Oct. 22, 2010

Contact:
Elizabeth Klipp, 404-413-1356 
University Relations 

ATLANTA – Georgia State University will host a free summit for Latino undergraduates from GSU and around the region this weekend focusing on leadership and networking.

Georgia State’s 3rd annual Latino College Leadership Summit is themed “From Roots to Branches: Achieving Success while Acknowledging Where You Come From.” It will be held from 6 p.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 22 and 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Oct. 23 in the Holiday Inn Atlanta Capitol Conference Center, located at 450 Capitol Ave S.W. Parking at the hotel for students is $8.

This year, GSU Latino student leaders, the Office of Latino Student Services and Outreach joined forces with the U.S. Hispanic Leadership Initiative to organize the summit. Students are being invited from Georgia, Florida, Alabama and South Carolina.

The summit will feature nationally prominent motivational speakers, advanced leadership skill development workshops, team-building exercises, networking opportunities, information on graduate schools, internships and employment opportunities.

“The ultimate vision is to create opportunities for students and to ensure a positive path toward graduation and beyond,” said Amy Molina, academic professional for Latino Student recruitment and retention in the Office of Undergraduate Studies. “It’s a good opportunity to network with other Latino students in the state and region, build their leadership skills and create a network.”

Georgia State University has nearly 2,100 undergraduate and graduate Latino students enrolled, the highest number in the University System of Georgia, Molina said.

The two-day event will feature speakers such as Jimmy Cabrera, president of Success Through Excellence; LTC (retired) Consuelo Castillo Kickbusch, president of Educational Achievement Services; and Marisel Herrera, director of the Nina Mason Pulliam Legacy Scholars at Arizona State University. Workshops will include topics such as, “Me, Inc.,” “Service beyond Self,” and “Applying and Preparing for Graduate School.”

“I hope students are able to build connections to other students and take back what they learn as student leaders at their campus,” Molina said.

To register, students can stop by Georgia State’s Office for Latino Student Services and Outreach, located at 75 Piedmont Ave, Suite 368. Students can also register by emailing lasso@gsu.edu or by calling 404-413-2046. Students can also show up on the day of the event even without having registered.