One-Day Program Discusses Latino Education

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The office of Latino academic advancement and community relations, a part of the office of diversity affairs at the University of Arkansas, presents “The Latino Question” (La Cuestión Latina) on June 11. This one-day program is designed to provide teachers and educators with professional development on various topics related to the education of Latinos.

Nationally and regionally renowned speakers will address topics including bilingualism, college readiness, counseling Latino youth, immigration, parental involvement and more. The program will be held 8:30 a.m. until 3:30 p.m. on the second floor of the University of Arkansas’ Willard J. Walker Building.

The first keynote speaker is Sharon Adelman Reyes, author of Teaching in Two Languages. She will be speaking about Bilingualism and Biliteracy at 10 a.m. The second keynote speaker is Luis Ponjuan from the University of Florida. Ponjuan coauthored a national report on the disappearance of the Latino male from higher education. He will be speaking about Motivating Latino Students at 2 p.m.

Nearly 100 attendees are expected from school districts in Northwest Arkansas. The program is funded by a College Access Challenge Grant of the Arkansas Department of Higher Education, which addresses institutional cultures and student college readiness for Latinos. Registrations and questions can be directed to the office of Latino academic advancement and community relations by phone at 479-575-4073 or email at OLAA@uark.edu.