Southeastern's LABI launches third cohort, celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month
Tuesday, October 31, 2023
by: Tonya Lowentritt
HISPANIC LEADERSHIP PROGRAM - 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.
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.
