Conference links university, Latino community

The Steering Committee of the Latina/o Faculty Staff Association (LAFSA) will host a conference, “Connecting Resources: the Latino/a community and UW–Madison,” on Thursday, Nov. 16, at the Memorial Union.

The event will include workshops focusing on many facets of life for the Latino community. “The university has a tremendous amount of resources available to the community and those who pay taxes,” says Sandy Magana, professor of Chicano Studies at the University of Wisconsin–Madison. “There is a lack of knowledge, however, of what is available to the Latino population.”

From 2-5 p.m., workshops will focus on topics including starting a business; employment opportunities in the university and city; preparation for graduate school and the professional world; and immigration. Faculty members, Wisconsin Job Services staff, specialists and successful business owners will speak at the workshops to inform and assist the Latino community.

“We are trying to bring in members of the community and the university so there is a face-to-face connection,” explains Araceli Mejia, steering committee member and graduate student at UW–Madison. “It is important that the community knows that there is someone available to assist them with their questions.”

After a reception and resource fair starting at 5 p.m., there will be workshops from 6-9 p.m. dealing with immigration issues and education in both middle and high school levels.

The workshops will encourage parent involvement in their children’s educational careers and will include information on promoting good study habits and how to make successful transitions to high school and to college.

“Success starts in middle school,” says Salvador Carranza, steering committee member and Senior Institutional Planner of the UW System. “In middle school, kids learn to become focused, disciplined and have good study habits, so that when they get into high school they don’t fall behind.”

The workshops will be presented in Spanish, breaking down the language barriers that often limit Latino involvement in the community. A transportation service is also available for those in need.

Registration for the conference takes place at Memorial Union on Nov. 16, but please contact Ben Rodriguez at (608) 263-4027 regarding transportation to the conference.