Latino Family Education Summit guides prospective students

MIA GARCIA STAFF WRITER

On April 15, Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. invited students from middle school, high school, and adults to attend the Latino Family Educational Summit. This organization consists of bilingual workshops where first-generation families can learn about higher education, financial literacy and mental wellness at Sonoma State. Elementary students were invited as well, however instead of workshops, they went to a carnival hosted by the fraternity of Nu Alpha Kappa. The Latino Family Educational Summit was a huge success with 300 attendees altogether.

Many first generation families have a hard time learning and understanding the process of education, such as what a student needs to get into college, what resources are provided at a college, and school courses students can take. Sorority President Lambda Theta Nu, Serina Cabrera, lead of the Latino Family Educational Summit. Cabrera is an SSU senior majoring in applied statistics.

In an interview with the STAR she said, “[the Latino Family Educational Summit] is to help guide not only high school students but all members of the family to gain knowledge about higher education.” At the event, all age groups were included in the agenda. resentations for middle school and high schoolers in- cluded how to prepare themselves for college. For the students who have been accepted and entering college, the non-profit organization 10,000 Degrees presents A-G requirements and overall financial aid info and about what resources are out there to help them navigate college. For the parents, the Santa Rosa Junior College presentation included how to support their child going to college and what financial resources they can utilize.

This workshop is for all students; even students who may not wish to attend Sonoma State. Cabrera said, “[Lambda Theta Nu] extended the invitation to everyone to keep in contact.” It’s nice to know that these mentors will help students when they need it or have any questions because they were once in their shoes. Cabrera, a first generation student said, “Being the first in my family to attend a four year university out of high school was a huge accomplishment… however, I found myself struggling in the adjustment, the curriculum and overall finding my place.”

After researching programs that Sonoma State had to offer. After becoming involved with Sonoma State, she finally felt like she found her place. Over the years, Cabrera: became an SSU cheerleader, served as President of her sorority, was Vice President of Soci- ety for Advancement of Chicanos/Hispanics and Native Americans in Science (SACNAS), Secretary of the Pi Mu Epsilon club, Mathematics Engineering Science Achievement (MESA) Honors Member, worked in a Mathematics Epidemiology Research Group, and was a Learning and Academic Resource Center (LARC) Statistics Tutor. She continues on by saying, “it has been rewarding to be able to mentor underclassmen in a similar place where I was just a few years ago.”

Latino Family Educational Summit is a Lambda Theta Nu Philanthropy event that is put on nationally. Each chapter of the organization hosts a Latina Youth Leadership Conference in which the chapter here at SSU made that into a bigger event for not onlyLatinas, but the whole community. These workshops that are provided here helped give an informative perspective to parents, future and current college students.

The main idea is to give these students an ease of mind and help them step by step understanding the college process. Learning about the experience of sorority sisters from Lambda Theta Nu and seeing a campus can really help future first generation get a sense of what they are getting into before college. This kind of work will help keep the Latino community strong and connected to higher education.