FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The University of Arkansas will host a Hispanic conference, "The Hispanic Phenomenon: New Directions for Arkansas," Thursday, Sept. 27, and Friday, Sept. 28, in the Arkansas Union Ballroom.

In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Sept. 15 through Oct. 15, the conference will address business, education, health, and housing as it relates to the burgeoning Hispanic population in Arkansas.

Sponsored by the Hispanic Women's Organization of Arkansas and the University of Arkansas, "The Hispanic Phenomenon" is slated to begin at 1:30 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, and run through noon, Friday, Sept. 28. The University of Arkansas Division of Continuing Education administers the conference.

According to conference co-chair persons Deanna Perez Williams and Diana Gonzales Worthen, the interactive conference provides a vital link toward the expansion of the horizons of cultural diversity in Arkansas. "The Hispanic Phenomenon" is targeted to key individuals who develop and implement policy and to those seeking to enhance their capacity to work with the Hispanic population. The event will elucidate the impact of recent demographic changes in Arkansas by examining outreach initiatives, current research and issues affecting Hispanics, including housing, education, health, community resources, business & marketing, the justice system and community orientation.

Featured speakers scheduled to attend the conference include University of Arkansas Chancellor John A. White; Arkansas Department of Health Director Fay Boozman, M.D.; UA Enrollment Services Dean Arlene Cash; Office of the Governor DHS Liaison Robert Treviño; and UA department of anthropology Assistant Professor Steven Striffler. Angela Arboleda, civil rights policy analyst of the National Council of La Raza, Washington, D.C., will deliver the keynote address.

The registration fee for the two-day event is $100 per person. For more information, please contact the University of Arkansas Division of Continuing Education at 479-575-3604 or 800-952-1165.

On-site registration will be held from noon to 2 p.m., Thursday, Sept. 27, in front of the Arkansas Union Ballroom. Information is available also on the Division of Continuing Education web site at www.uacted.uark.edu.