Latino College Expo: Getting a Leg Up on Learning by Jeff Simmons

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Latino College Getting a Leg on Learning

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by Jeff Simmons vibrant Washington Square Park emanating from below. It was St. Patrick’s Day, and while New York City was awash in a festive atmosphere on a sparkling warm day on the cusp of spring, these students, and more than like them, had ventured to NYU for some serious learning: about their future. The students came together for a leadership summit that opened the Latino College Expo Inc. Since it’s inception 22 years ago, the nonprofit Expo has endeavored to "elevate the educational aspirations" of New York City-area students, particularly those of Hispanic heritage. The students had traveled from across not just the city’s five boroughs, but from Long Island, New Jersey and Connecticut, some with parents and others with high school guidance counselors. The group mostly Hispanic, some Black and Asian-American were from inner-city public schools, prep schools and boarding schools. For many students, who were in their sophomore or junior years in high school programs were designed to demystify higher education to not just impart skills on how to prepare academically for the transition but how to navigate financial aid, the admissions process, and campus life. "It’s always an honor to do this," said an excited Antonio Aponte, the driving force behind the Expo, as he addressed the students in the opening sessions. "I want you to be a sponge. I want you to absorb." Aponte, who serves as director of education services at the Boys’ Club of New York, was inspired to launch the Expo more than two decades ago after witnessing a nagging trend that dissuaded many Hispanic students from seeking higher education. He was troubled that many didn’t think college was right for them, and that family and financial obligations would preclude them from attending college. Handling multicultural affairs and retention at State University of New York’s (SUNY) Purchase College at the time, Aponte would visit schools and attend college fairs, and discovered that many Hispanic students were not asking the right questions. Students were unclear on finances, on access, on commuting versus living at school. "When I would talk to them and say I worked at SUNY-Purchase, they would say that’s too far," he said. "I realized that we needed to get them to open up and understand. I wanted to empower them a little bit more." The outgrowth of that concern was the Latino College Expo, held in its first year at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and later at Pace University, both in Lower Manhattan. Every year, the event has been held on a Saturday to avoid students having to skip school. "We needed to do a fair and give them some ownership, to give them a presence," Aponte said. "To this day, it’s still a labor of love. I have a fulltime job, but we’ve kept it going." The Expo has grown in size and reputation, drawing students from a wider swatch of the Northeast while attracting new participants to show-

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Antonio Aponte, director of Education Services, Boys Club of NewYork, driving force behind Expo

elevator ride at New York University’s (NYU) Helen and Martin Kimmel Center for University Life didn’t just transport this bunch of high schoolers to the 10th floor it transported them into a world that was largely foreign to them. "Wow," said one male student, backpack slung over his shoulder. "This elevator has carpeting. We don’t have carpeting in mine." The remarks prompted his classmates to both laugh nervously and shake their heads in unified agreement. Once the elevator doors opened, the group about 10 of them stepped into a large room, two sides of which were floor-to-wall windows providing a crystal-clear view of New York City’s skyline, the sounds of a

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case their educational institutions. The event became so popular that it was split into two components four years ago: a leadership summit offering workshops in the morning followed by an exhibition. About 1,000 students routinely attend throughout the day, but demand overwhelmed space, and forced Aponte to cap the leadership summit at 400. While Hispanic college attendance has somewhat improved during the Expo’s existence, Aponte said, many students still face the same tug-of-war pitting family and financial obligations against academic studies. His hope, echoed by the volunteers who join him each year, is that the Expo provides a forum for students to listen and comprehend that college is possible, and to sit with peers experiencing similar dilemmas, fears, and hopes. "If we could get all of you into college, this would really be a transformation of this city" Dr. Pedro Noguera, professor of education at NYU, said to the students, who were riveted by his words. "You don’t go to college to get a job. You go to college to get a career. Hopefully, you go to college to get a career that you love."

George Cintron with son Brian, an Ozone Park Queens, resident with one son in college, another on the way to college this fall, and a third now exploring college

It wasn’t just a labor of love for Aponte, but for the volunteers who strategize to get the word out each year with little funding but a lot of heart. Support comes from the Boys’ Club of New York, the NYU Metropolitan Center for Urban Education, and parent and student volunteers. After opening remarks, students hurried to two other floors and into smaller sessions. Workshops this year were titled "Lights, Camera, Action & Oral Presentation," which offered insight to prepare for auditions and skills to improve public speaking, and "Gaining Admission and Affording College Through ’Free Money," which imparted advice on crafting competitive applications and financial aid paperwork, and adopting other measures to make college more attainable and affordable. Students crammed into one seminar on "Life After Prep School/High School" to grill alumni on what happens after high school, while another seminar, newly added, asked student athletes "Are You Ready?" to apply for Division 1, it, and ifi programs. "Your performance, both academically, and athletically, will impact scholarship eligibility and interest from coaches," the description read. There was one seminar titled "Living Out the College Experience," led by five students from the Brothers of La Unidad Latino, Lambda Upsilon Lambda University Inc. The description of the workshop said, "attendees will learn about the commitments, opportunities and benefits of college life." Topics ranged from academic demands to extracurricular activities, and the five - four of whom still attend NYU, the fifth a recent graduate

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now preparing for law school - to student leadership, social life and other unique aspects of college life. Darwin Araujo, vice president of the fraternity, and his classmate Elvin Marmol told students to ask any questions that come to mind. Initially, since many students had never been to NYU before, they asked ones about the area: Where is the closest McDonald’s? How do you get to the Empire State Building from here? But after some giggles, the questions became more serious and the seminar developed into a candid discussion about the transition to college life. If anything, the fraternity brothers tried to impart a lesson in tough love, in hopes of resonating more with students who might slack off in high school classes. "It falls on you if you don’t go to class. The responsibility shifts on you. You have to put in the word," Araujo said. "It’s going to be hard for you. You will have to adjust." Students initially reluctant to speak began peppering the fraternity brothers with questions: What about Advance Placement courses? Does taking them earlier make it easier? What is a major? Can I take two minors? What if! don’t know what I want to major in? Where are the dorms?" Then one long-haired young woman, situated in the front row, raised her hand, and asked if being Hispanic helps in the admissions process. "Don’t you have a better chance of getting in because you are a minority?" she asked. The fraternity brothers dismissed the notion that ethnicity trumps hard work "New York University is very selective," added Johnny MØndez. "What helps you more is being involved in your school. It’s not just that you are a minority. It’s what you achieved in high school." Marmol quickly noted that the admissions process is one step, but not the end of the road. "Getting in is only the beginning," he said. "Staying in college is the challenge." After the session, a number of students lingered, plying the five with more specific questions, about AP courses, campus life, and room and board questions. Meanwhile, their parents were not left to count the hours until the seminars ended. At this leadership summit and Expo, they also were put back in the classroom. Close to two dozen parents attended that morning and, after the opening remarks, stepped into a session called "Becoming a Partner in the College Process." At the table in front of them sat three parents and a moderator, who also translated all remarks into Spanish. The advice was both forceful and delicate, representing the understanding that not all parents came equipped with equal levels of knowledge about the college process. "When I say ’beg,’ you go out there and beg," one parent panelist offered, insisting that parents should seek as much financial assistance and scholarships as possible to defray expenses. Several parents indicated that their children would be the first in the family to attend college. "My biggest fear is how am I going to pay for college," one parent in the audience said. Others seemed nervous, jotting down notes, timidly asking questions. "Should I visit the college?" one mother asked, sparking a murmur in the room, and a chorus of "Yes." "Absolutely," the parent panelist said. "It’s ideal to go when they are in session. I recommend you take your kid. You look at the school. You look at the surroundings." George Cintron, an Ozone Park, Queens, resident with one son in college, another on the way to college this fall, and a third now exploring college, said the visits are necessary to allay parental concerns and rein in student misperceptions. Cintron said one visit to a Maine college with his son turned him off immediately when he saw not one, not two, but three beer cans littering the campus. "That was too much for my son," he said. "One would have been too many"

And, when visiting campuses, he and other panelists stressed not to just show up, but to make appointments with admissions officers on campus. Such visits will help parents acquire more information, and to stand out from the crowd of applicants all clamoring for attention, access, and financial help. Cintron’s son Brian said his father’s encouragement is helping to ease the transition the most. "One of the biggest things my dad did was being there and listening," the 18-year-old said. "I valued his input, and I valued it so much more after he heard what I had to say." This past December, Cintron, who currently attends the Hotchkiss School in Connecticut, received word that he’d received Early Decision acceptance to the highly regarded Williams College, a private, liberal arts college in Williamstown, Mass. At the leadership summit and Expo, his father said, parents and students could get a leg up, learn tips and tricks that help to ease the frustration and anxiety of the college application process. His son shook his head in agreement, pointing out the involvement of student leaders in the seminars. "Kids come here and can relate," Brian Cintron said. "You always hear that college is important and getting an education is important. But hearing it from someone who has had the same experience makes it much more personal." The workshops were only half of the Expo. After three hours of listening to advice on everything from choosing a major to settling in far from home, students then had a chance to turn the tables - or, more aptly, to visit the tables. The same room in which students first listened to opening remarks from a stage was now transformed into long rows of tables, equipped with everything from pamphlets on dorm life and pens and other giveaways to tuition costs and information on campus visits. This year, 68 tables were occupied, with representatives - many Hispanic faces speaking in Spanish with students and parents - from colleges and universities, and educational organizations. Several colleges within the City University of New York system - such as Hunter, Baruch, Queens and Lehman colleges - attended along with those from within the State University of New York system, from Binghamton, Brockport, Cobleskill and Oswego. Representatives from both private and public colleges, such as Adeiphi University, the University of Bridgeport, Yale University, University of Maryland, and University of Virginia, as well as Providence, Sarah Lawrence, St. Joseph’s, and Wellesley colleges, also saw steady throngs of students hoping to make a connection. James Rodriguez, a 31-year teacher in the New York City public school system, said the Expo gives Hispanic students a fighting chance to succeed. Rodriguez should know. He has spent a good portion of his career analyzing the Hispanic dropout rate, and striving to elevate the rates of Hispanic students advancing to higher education. "I learned early on that, for the most part, there were not any postsecondary programs that catered to Latino students," he said. He struck up a friendship with Aponte decades ago, when Aponte was at Purchase and would visit his school to talk with students about attending college. He worked with Aponte to launch the Expo, and today remains one of its strongest supporters. Rodriguez is currently coordinator of student activities at the Herbert H. Lehman High School in the Bronx, and reaches out to colleagues throughout the system to encourage them to spread the word about the Expo to Hispanic students. "You get kids to understand that the things they are learning in and out of the classroom in high school have their place in the postsecondary admissions process," he said. "Colleges are looking for the whole student. You want kids who are academically eligible for certain schools, but it’s important to let kids know that no matter what your academic level, there is a college out there for you, but you have to do your homework."

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ounded in 1956, the University of South Florida is a public research university of growing national distinction. The USF System is comprised of member institutions; USF Tampa, the doctoral granting institution which includes

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Health; USF St. Petersburg; USF Sarasota-Manatee;

USE Polytechnic, located in Lakeland, separately accredited by the Commission Colleges of the Southern

Association of Colleges and Schools (SACS). USF is one of only four Florida public universities classified by the Camegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching in the top tier of research universities. More than 47,000 students are studying on USF campuses and the University offers 228 degree programs at the undergraduate, graduate, specialty and doctoral levels, including the doctor of medicine. USF is a member of the Big East Athletic Conference. And, USE is listed in the Princeton Review as one of the nation’s 50 "Best Value" public colleges and universities. The university is currently recruiting for the following positions; the number in parentheses represents the number of positions available to that specific title:

Administrative Positions: Director of Parking Service Director of Counseling Center Director of Payroll (Human Resources) Assitant Vice President Student Services (COM) Director of Engineering Operations (Public Broadcasting)

Faculty Positions: College ofArts and Sciences

Engineering

Assistant Professor (1)

Assistant Professor (4)

Pharmacy

Business

Director (1)

Assistant/Associate Professor (1)

Academic Afifairs

Sarasota

Associate Dean (1)

Assistant Professor (1)

Division ofAdministration

College of Nursing

Assistant/Associate Professor (1)

Nursing Faculty (2) Associate to Full (I) Assistant/Associate Professor (I)

College of Medicine Assistant Professor (11) Assistant/Associate Professor (2) Assistant/Associate/Full Professor (I) Associate Professor (1) Associate Dean (1)

For a job description on the above listed positions including department, disciple and deadline dates: (1) visit our Careers@USF Web site at

https://employment.usf.edulapplicants/jsp/shared/Welcome_css.jsp; or (2) contact The Office of Diversity and Equal Opportunity, (813) 974-

4373; or (3) call USFjob line at 813.974.2879. USE is an equal opportunity/equal access/affirmative action institution, committed to excellence through diversity in education and employment.

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HISPANIC OUTLOOK