HAMMOND – Southeastern Louisiana University’s College of Business launched its third cohort of the Hispanic Leadership Program as part of the celebration of National Hispanic Heritage Month and the university’s commitment to the social development of the Hispanic population. The cohort includes 57 students from high schools in Tangipahoa and Livingston parishes.
“The College of Business has a very long and rich history of Hispanic programs from study abroad programs to Costa Rica and Panama, to providing business training for economically disadvantaged populations in Latin American countries, to our present Hispanic Youth Leadership program with area high schools,” said Dean of the College of Business Tara’ Lopez. “We value the vibrant culture and resilience of the Hispanic community and our students at Southeastern.”
“Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month is not only a symbol of respect for Hispanic culture and diversity, but also a sign of Southeastern’s commitment to the progress of the Hispanic community,” said Latin American Business and Development Institute Director Aristides Baraya.
According to the Pew Hispanic Institute, the U.S. Hispanic enrollment at postsecondary institutions in the United States has increased over the last few decades, rising from 1.5 million in 2000 to a new high of 3.8 million in 2019, partly reflecting the group’s rapid growth as a share of the overall U.S. population. In 1980, about 470,000 Latinos were enrolled at degree-granting, postsecondary institutions, accounting for four percent of all students. By 2000, Latino enrollment increased to 1.5 million or 10 percent of all students. And by 2020, 3.7 million Latinos were enrolled, accounting for a fifth of all postsecondary students.
Southeastern’s HLP is focused on supporting underserved Hispanic youth and families, emphasizing character and leadership, and generating permanent and outstanding academic progress, Baraya explained. The program also empowers young Hispanics in entrepreneurship, financial education, preparation for the workforce, and more.
“The Southeastern Young Hispanic Pre-College Preparation and Leadership program is an outstanding opportunity for Hispanic students to discover new faces in their lives and to put their leadership skills to work in practical and real-world applications,” he said.
For over 25 years, Southeastern has worked with the Latin American community through the Latin American Business and Development Initiative.
This year, parallel to the Youth Leadership program, Florida Parishes Human Services Authority, in alliance with the LABDI, will offer a workshop to educate parents about alcohol, tobacco, opioids, and drugs. The program seeks to raise awareness of these situations, Baraya said.
For more information, visit the program website at southeastern.edu/lai.