Why are Latino male students dropping out?

Latino male students are vanishing from the American education pipeline, a trend that is especially evident at the secondary and postsecondary levels, according to Dr. Luis Ponjuan, an associate professor of higher education administration at Texas A&M University.

Ponjuan will discuss his research into the many reasons why during a one-day conference hosted by the University of Akron on Oct. 26 called the “Latin@ American Symposium on Education and Research.”

Other speakers include:

• Dr. Vasti Torres, dean of the College of Education at the University of South Florida and Editor of the Journal of College Student Development who will address the role of the researcher in advancing opportunities for Latinos;
• Dr. Melba Vasquez, past president of the American Psychological Association, who discuss evidence of Latinos and leadership; and
• Lilleana Cavanaugh, Executive Director of the Ohio Latino Affairs Commission, who will address the rapid growth of the Latino population in the state of Ohio.

More than 300 education professionals from Ohio and surrounding states attended the Ohio Latino Education Summit at UA last spring. The October conference strives to build on that momentum, says John Alvarez-Turner, associate director of UA’s Multicultural Center.

“Latinos are the largest minority population in the United States, and the fastest growing demographics in Ohio,” Alvarez-Turner said. “We are gathering some of the best minds in education and government to provide practical strategies and tools, backed by research, so that attendees can develop practices that will enhance persistence, achievement and ultimately student success for Latinos.”

The symposium is $10 for the public, and free for UA faculty, staff and students. Register now.

Related:

• Inclusive excellence at UA

Media contact: Dan Minnich, 330-972-6476 or dminnich@uakron.edu