Community Forum: POWERING THE HISPANIC WORKFORCE
Friday, October 15
HAPO Center | Pasco, WA
Networking/Breakfast/Panel Discussion: 8-9:30 a.m.
Roundtable Breakout Sessions: 10 a.m.
People needing accommodation should contact University Advancement at ndelgado2@ewu.edu by October 10, 2021
About the Community Forum
The Hispanic population in our region is one of the fastest-growing. From 2000 to 2019, Washington’s Hispanic population grew by 7.5%. In 2019, the highest percentages of Hispanic residents were found in central Washington with Adams (68.5%), Franklin (55.3%) and Yakima (51.4%) counties posting the highest shares. What does this growth mean for employers, educators, and communities in our region?
In this thought-provoking forum, you’ll hear from experts on demographic projections, professional workforce development, and the support systems needed in our communities.
Opening Remarks:
- Dr. Shari Clarke, VP for Diversity and Senior Diversity Officer, EWU
- Marilyn Dreis, Director of Diversity Programs, EWU
Emcee & Panel Facilitator:
- Dr. Nydia Martinez, Associate Dean of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences, EWU
Demographics & Trends:
- Dr. Patrick Jones, Executive Director, Institute for Public Policy & Economic Analysis, EWU
Panelists:
- Martin Valadez, Interim Executive Director, Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Dr. Alfredo Carlos, Director of Chicana/o/x Studies Program, EWU
- Enrique Rubio, Manager, Kold King Manufacturing
- Jocelyn Núñez, Graduate Associate, Center for Academic Advising & Retention, EWU
A Hispanic Serving Institution
Eastern Washington University is pleased to host this forum, as it works toward receiving a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI) designation from the federal government. EWU is currently considered an “emerging” HSI and is aiming for an HSI designation by 2023, when at least 25% of undergraduate full-time enrollment is expected to identify as Hispanic. EWU is committed to serving the needs of our region, which includes the growing Hispanic population seeking access to post-secondary education, employers recruiting and serving a diverse workforce, and a dynamic economy.
Presented by
Major Sponsor
Media Sponsor
Community Partners
- Tri-Cities Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
- Visit Tri-Cities
Community Connection
About Eastern Edge
Eastern Edge is a series of community forums and roundtable discussions designed to showcase the work of EWU experts who are changing the way we think, learn and do — both inside and outside of the classroom. Eastern Edge events demonstrate how Eastern faculty, staff and alumni are powering our region through groundbreaking research, new approaches to teaching and learning, and powerful solutions to issues of concern in our community.
Eastern EdgeEXP.
On June 3rd, 2021 Eastern EdgeEXP focused on our approach to cover multidisciplinary and experiential topics with deans, faculty and students. Interim president, Dr. May highlighted key initiatives and shared virtual tours of EWU’s latest projects, the Interdisciplinary Science Center and the Catalyst building.
Women in STEM | Oct 23, 2019
Eastern Washington University’s inaugural Eastern Edge community forum, “Women in STEM,” examined the lack of women in fields such as science, technology, engineering and math, and what can be done to change the narrative. The Oct. 23 gathering drew a large crowd at a convention center ballroom in Spokane, and EWU used the opportunity to announce a major program to not only attract more female STEM majors, but to nurture them as well.