WASHINGTON (Oct. 18, 2010)– The Hispanic College Fund will bring 44 high-caliber undergraduate and graduate Latino scholars to Washington, D.C., from Oct. 26-30 to participate in the Hispanic Professionals Institute, a five-day intensive professional development seminar that prepares students for the transition from college to career. The Hispanic Professionals Institute focuses on equipping students for success in the following areas: professional etiquette, interviewing skills, public speaking, resume writing, career exploration, and civic service, all delivered by national corporations committed to workforce diversity. Through workshops, corporate and city tours, and a mentorship luncheon, students put into practice the skills necessary to succeed as future professionals. This year’s workshop presenters include: Constellation Energy Group, General Dynamics, the U.S. Department of State, and MasterCard Worldwide.
The Hispanic Professionals Institute is open to HCF scholarship semifinalists and past resident advisors of the Hispanic Youth Institute. The 44 scholars applied via an online application and were selected out of 213 applicants nationwide based on essay responses and demonstration of leadership potential.
“As the premier national organization providing support and mentorship to Hispanic students throughout the pipeline from pre-college to post-graduate work and study, the Hispanic College Fund is proud to welcome those students that are preparing themselves for the labor force,” said Dr. Carlos Santiago, chief executive officer of the Hispanic College Fund. “These students have already made incredible achievements towards their higher education. It is now critical for us to provide them with the skills needed to succeed in the workforce so that they can contribute to strengthening the nation’s economy.”
“Providing the opportunity for the scholars to come to Washington is invaluable,” said Lindsay Bernsten, director of college programs for the Hispanic College Fund. “We engage these top students with leading national corporations in the heart of the nation’s policy-making, providing a vision for them to propel into the workforce as community-minded professionals. Our sponsors’ commitment to workforce diversity helps create a more fruitful experience for the scholars.”
The Hispanic Professionals Institute culminates with the scholars’ presentation at the Hispanic College Fund’s annual Portraits of Success scholarship awards gala, which is scheduled for Oct. 29, 2010, at the J.W. Marriott Hotel in Washington, D.C. This year, Scholar Josue Magana, a senior finance major at California State University Channel Islands, will be the keynote speaker and Scholar Cindy Uruburo, a freshman allied health major at the University of Maryland College Park, will give closing remarks. CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield President and Chief Executive Officer Chet Burrell and Virginia State University President Keith T. Miller will also be speaking at the event.
Sponsors of the 2010 Hispanic Professionals Institute include: CareFirst BlueCross BlueShield, Constellation Energy Group, Darden Restaurants, Denny’s, Ford Motor Company Fund, General Dynamics, J. Willard and Alice S. Marriott Foundation, Lockheed Martin Corporation, and M&T Bank.
The Hispanic Professionals Institute was first founded in 2004 as the Hispanic Young Professionals program (HYP). In 2010, the program was re-named the Hispanic Professionals Institute. To date, the Hispanic Professionals Institute has helped prepare over 150 Latino students from across the country, launching them into graduate school and professional careers.