May 22, 2024
OU's Dr. Aura Cazares is pictured with ALSAME's co-chairs Dr. Vanessa Reynolds and Salvador Lopez. |
Oakland University has been selected to host the 2025 Advocates for Latino Student Advancement in Michigan Education (ALSAME) Latino Youth Conference, an event that will bring hundreds of high school students from across Michigan to campus in May 2025.
“Partnering with ALSAME to execute the conference is an honor as they have over 50 years of experience in assisting Latinx students reach their professional and academic goals,” said OU’s Assistant Dean of Students and Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Dr. Aura Cazares. “The conference theme, ‘If You Can See It, You Can Be It - Representando Sueños,’ is a testament to the importance of representation in all spaces and industries.”
The continued partnership between the Provost's office, the College of Arts and Sciences, and the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion was the impetus for Oakland University's selection as the host institution for the 2025 ALSAME Latino Youth Conference. Hosting the conference provides OU with the opportunity to reaffirm its commitment to the Latinx community, facilitate strategies to close the degree completion gap between Latinx students and their peers, serve as a bridge between Latinx youth and Latinx leaders, and advance Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Belonging.
The conference will consist of workshops and panels led by professional organizations and industry executives, presentations by corporate sponsors, a college fair, and tips for success by Oakland University's Center for Multicultural Initiatives, the Office of Admissions, Financial Aid, and Employee Resource Groups.
“OU leaders Dr. Britt Rios-Ellis, Dr. Elaine Carey and Glenn McIntosh were instrumental in securing OU's bid submission to host the conference, and we will be instrumental in connecting this sponsorship opportunity with philanthropists and corporate partners to support funding for the event,” said Dr. Cazares. “I am certain hosting this conference will continue cultivating OU's relationship with the Latinx community locally and across the state.”
Co-chaired by Dr. Vanessa Reynolds and Salvador Lopez, ALSAME is a nonprofit organization invested in enhancing college education accessibility for Michigan Latino students. ALSAME’s annual Latino Youth Conference aims to offer information to Latinx high school students to enhance academic success, promote higher education and help with career planning. For more information visit alsame.org.