Día de los Padres March 11

When young people begin attending college, they might think they’re going it alone, but their parents — many of whom never attended a university themselves — can be partners in the endeavor.
 
To help parents better understand and support their students' educational endeavors, the student organization Mesa Cooperative de CSUF is hosting a daylong “Día de los Padres” program Sunday, March 11, at Cal State Fullerton’s Titan Student Union.

“This is an important event because many are parents of first-generation college students and are unfamiliar with university life and expectations,” said Silas Abrego, interim vice president for student affairs. “So the event provides us an opportunity to share with them the educational journey their child is about to begin. We also introduce them to the campus family that will guide, advise and mentor their child along the way. More important, we thank them for being engaged in their students education and for providing them strong family support.”
 
The 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. free conference will offer workshops in both Spanish and English on topics ranging from the California Immigrant Higher Education Act (AB 540), scholarships and financial aid, to an exploration of college life and the importance of community service as part of the university experience. A panel discussion will feature parents and students sharing their perspectives about college and a keynote address will be delivered at 10:15 a.m. by Jose F. Moreno, president of Los Amigos of Orange County.
 
Breakfast and lunch will be provided, as well as a live performance by Bolivian dancers and tours of the campus.
 
“The goal is to help parents better understand what their student is experiencing and to help them be supportive of their child’s educational endeavors,” said Rosalina Camacho, Cultural Resource Center coordinator in Cal State Fullerton’s Women’s Center. “We hope to open a dialog whereby students gain a perspective about where their parents are coming from — their hopes, fears and expectations — and conversely, parents gain a perspective on what a student experiences.”
 
Reservations are requested by March 5. For more information or to reserve a place, call 657-278-3928.

Feb. 29, 2012