November 15, 2004 :: No. 87

Students to Attend Latino Leadership Institute

Five Cal State Fullerton students have been awarded CSUF university scholarships to attend this year’s Latina/Latino College Leadership Institute.

Attending the four-day residential retreat are: junior Linnea Arpon of Whittier, a kinesiology major; sophomore Lidia Mercedes Lopez of Hacienda Heights; freshman Melissa Rene Mayorga of Fontana, a prebusiness major; and Joel Torrez Jr. of Los Angeles and Carmen Renteria of Huntington Park, both juniors majoring in human services.

The Nov. 18-21 leadership institute is coordinated by the National Conference for Community and Justice and will be held at Camp Max Strauss in Glendale. The institute challenges students to take personal responsibility by integrating human relations components with the concept of leadership. The weekend will consist of dialogue and exercises that will challenge students to celebrate diversity while examining the role of culture and leadership.

“This is a wonderful opportunity to foster leadership development and civic responsibility among college students,” said Juanita E. Razo, assistant dean of students, helming leadership and multicultural development programs. “We’ve had students attending this program for more than 10 years, and they have always commented about the powerful impact this program has had on their lives in terms of their own perception about the Latina/Latino culture and their increased desire to lead and make a difference in this community.”