UNM, LULAC plan program for young Latino leaders
New Mexico Business Weekly - 12:36 PM MDT Friday, July 6, 2007
The University of New Mexico and the League of United Latin American Citizens are working together on the first National LULAC Leadership Program, which will bring 20 or so of the nation's best and brightest Latino 15- and 16-year-olds to the UNM campus this summer.

"These will be stand-out kids," said Tim Gutierrez, UNM's associate vice president for College Enrichment and Outreach Programs.

"The focus of this program will be on leadership and current and future challenges facing our society," Gutierrez said. "Because this program is funded by the U.S. Department of Energy, they want to work with us to focus on science, technology and math."

He said immigration and border security would be among the topics addressed.

"These are issues they will face as leaders of the future," Gutierrez said.

Eliseo "Cheo" Torres, UNM's vice president for Student Affairs, said that with additional sponsorship the program could grow to accommodate as many as 200 students.

LULAC National President Rosa Rosales said the program will benefit talented Latino students who might not otherwise have an opportunity to attend a higher educational institution.

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