Report: The Tech Industry Needs More Latinos



Latinos continue to be one of the most overlooked groups in high-paying jobs, such as careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). Of the 34.9 million Americans working in STEM fields, only 8% are Latino as of 2021. Latinos are fewer than 10% of the workforce in the fields of health careers (9%), life science (8%), physical science (8%), computers and math (8%), and engineering (9%). The technology industry also lacks Latino visibility. One in every five US workers is Latino, and only one in 10 of them have a job in tech. There even fewer in leadership tech roles, according to a new Kapor Foundation report. This paints a stark contrast to the growing number of Latinos in the US. Latinos currently make up 19.1% of the US population, and are expected to rise to ...

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Survey: Latinos Among Students Most Likely to Withdraw from College



Latino and Black students have the greatest risk of withdrawing from post-secondary education programs, according to a recent survey by the Lumina-Gallup State of Higher Education. This finding comes at a time when institutions offering bachelor’s degrees are seeing a significant drop in enrollment — a situation exacerbated by COVID-19. Over the last decade, college enrollment has declined by 7.4%, which is the equivalent of 1.5 million students, according to Best Colleges. The biggest decline – 900,000 students – came during the pandemic years of fall 2019 and fall 2023. While the enrollment of students such as Latinos and Blacks has somewhat improved, they are also considered to be more likely to leave. Survey Results on College Withdrawal In fall 2023, Gallup surveyed ...

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Apply for the Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship!



Apply now for the National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) Hispanic Leadership Development Fellowship!   The fellowship program is a paid, 9-month, in-person leadership opportunity to prepare for career opportunities in public health agencies and increase awareness and competency in health equity knowledge and practice, including infection control.  Each fellow is paired with a U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) agency in the Washington, D.C., metropolitan area from Sept. 1, 2024, to May 30, 2025.  “We are dedicated to increasing the representation of Hispanics in key executive leadership positions,” said Dr. Elena Rios, NHMA President and CEO.  Applications are due April 1, 2024.  APPly Here!  Components of NHMA’s Hispanic Leadership ...

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Teen Video Contest Aims for More People in STEM Careers


stem careers eye health contest

The National Eye Institute (NEI) is framing the way for future success in a career in health and science for teens by holding its annual Eye on the Future campaign. Just like last year, the Eye on the Future campaign kicks off with a $2,000 teen video contest. “We created the [contest] because we want to hear from the next generation of scientists (that’s you!) about why science is so important,” according to the NEI website. “And we want to encourage high school students from all backgrounds to learn more about science.” Submit a Video to the ‘Eye on the Future’ Teen Video Contest Interested high school students can enter NEI’s Eye on the Future contest by submitting a 30-second-to-3-minute video showcasing one of three categories, as per the contest ...

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Comment Now: Help Close the Digital Divide in Texas!



Having fast, affordable internet can improve lives with access to education, healthcare, and jobs, among other important opportunities.  But nearly 7 million Texans are being left behind, without high-speed internet.   With this in mind, the Texas Broadband Development Office (BDO) is encouraging public comments on the proposed Texas Digital Opportunity Plan.   The digital opportunity plan focuses on “closing the digital divide in Texas and ensuring every Texan has the skills and abilities to fully and safely utilize broadband access.”   Submit a comment on the draft plan to address broadband access, affordability, and adoption in Texas by Friday, Jan. 5, 2024.   Comment NOW! Why Is the Digital Divide an Issue?  About 2.8 million Texas households are in the ...

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Gabriela Mistral: First Latina to Win the Nobel Prize in Literature



Gabriela Mistral, born as Lucila Godoy Alcayaga in Chile, was the first Latina author to receive the Nobel Prize in Literature in 1945.  Her poems explore issues of spirituality, heartbreak, death, and childhood.   But beyond her verse and prose, Mistral also changed lives in Latin America and beyond through advocacy, education, and diplomacy.  “She tried to speak for [people] through her poetry, her many newspaper articles, her letters, and her talks and actions as Chilean representative in international organizations,” according to the Poetry Foundation. “Above all, she was concerned about the future of Latin America and its peoples and [lifestyles], particularly those of the native groups.”  Gabriela Mistral – Her Early Life  Born in 1889, Mistral grew up in a ...

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Join Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program



Susan G. Komen, a national breast cancer research organization, has launched its Navigation Nation interactive learning community for patient navigators – those who help guide cancer patients to overcome challenges toward quality healthcare.  The program brings individuals through a Patient Navigation Training Program and access to courses, webinars, and other educational events.  “The training program gives navigators the tools and resources to overcome [challenges] for those experiencing breast health [inconsistencies] and provides a peer network and support system,” according to the Komen website.    Learn more about this free program and what it entails, and how you can join.   What is Komen’s Patient Navigation Training Program?  This program was designed ...

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How Many Latinos Graduate College?



About half of Latinos who enroll in a four-year college do not end up graduating, according to a new analysis from ¡Excelencia in Education!  Latinos’ college graduation rate (52%) also is lower than their White peers (65%).   How can we increase Latino college graduation rates?   Let’s dive into to the numbers and explore how to close the Latino education gap, and better support Latino students.    Latino College Graduation by the Numbers  28% of Latino adults (age 25 and older) currently have an associate degree or higher, compared to 48% of White adults.  To better understand that gap, the new analysis from ¡Excelencia in Education! highlights 4 measures that track degree completion:  1. Graduation Rate: Total percentage of students who graduated within ...

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#SaludTues 7/11/23: How Do Latino Children Benefit from Preschool?



Over 3.5 million children participated in early childhood programs as of 2020.   Preschool and other early childhood education programs can greatly benefit children, especially Latino children.   In fact, studies have shown that low-income Latino kids who attended early education programs at age 4 attain stronger academic skills.   Let’s use #SaludTues on July 11, 2023, to explore early childhood education and how we can ensure that its many benefits reach Latino children.   WHAT: #SaludTues: How Do Latino Children Benefit from Preschool?    TIME/DATE: 1-2 p.m. EST (Noon-1 p.m. CST), Tuesday, July 11, 2023.   WHERE: On Twitter with hashtag #SaludTues  HOST: Salud America! at UT Health San Antonio (@SaludAmerica)  CO-HOSTS: Public Health Maps ...

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