Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and Actor Wilmer Valderrama Addressed Hispanic Students at North Campus
Actor Wilmer Valderrama and U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen at Ready to Lead program hosted by MDC North Campus.
Miami, June 11, 2009 - U.S. Congresswoman and Miami Dade College (MDC) alumna Ileana Ros-Lehtinen and popular actor Wilmer Valderrama from That '70s Show served as keynote speakers at the Congressional Hispanic Caucus Institute’s (CHCI) Ready to Lead event held at MDC's North Campus on June 6. The program is aimed at helping more Latino high school students attain a post-secondary education.
“The North Campus is very pleased to serve as the host site for this important endeavor,” said North and West Campuses President Dr. José A. Vicente. “MDC is the institution graduating the highest number of Hispanics in the nation, and continues to work diligently in facilitating the transition of high school graduates to college.”
MDC North Campus hosted more than 100 students from local high schools. The all-day intensive training program covered college planning, financial literacy and an introduction to leadership practices, which students can use as tools to serve their schools and communities.
“The program’s curriculum is uniquely designed to engage youth at a critical life juncture, utilizing CHCI Alumni and peer leaders who identify with students’ backgrounds, needs and interests,” said Esther Aguilera, CHCI President & CEO.
For more information about the program, please contact Vladimir Diaz, USDA Regional Director at 305-237-8550 or Vladimir.Diaz@ars.usda.gov.
CHCI Media contact: Scott Gunderson Rosa, 202-548-5846, sgunderson_rosa@chci.org.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist
Tarnell Carroll, 305-237-3359, tcarroll@mdc.edu, media specialist
Alejandro Rios, 305-237-7482, arios1@mdc.edu