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.
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, Owner/CEO, Kold King Manufacturing
- Stephanie Fuentes, Retention Specialist, Columbia Basin College
- Carla Lobos, Assistant Superintendent of Instruction, Pasco School District
Support These Initiatives
Eastern’s promise to create upward socio-economic mobility for students is met with one of the
toughest challenges our Eagles face: the need for financial support.
Donate to the Chicana/o/x Studies Program
The Chicana/o/x Studies Program at EWU has served as an academic and community resource center for students of Chicana/o, Latina/o, or Hispanic origin and their families coming from mainly the vast rural inland Northwest region for over 40 years. An increasing number of prospective students who will count on the academic, social, and financial assistance this scholarship funds.
Chicana/o/x Studies
Hispanic Legacy Scholarship Endowment Fund
Founded by Dr. Rodolfo Arevalo, this fund serves students of Hispanic, Latino(a) and Chicano(a) descent. Dr. Arévalo was the 25th president of EWU and was the first Latino President at a four-year college or university in Washington. Dr. Arévalo served eight years as a role model to first-generation students, inspiring all with his personal story and his commitment to learning.
Hispanic Legacy
Donate to the Honors Program
Rooted in the philosophy of leadership for social justice and civic responsibility, the Honors Program challenges academically motivated students, sharpening their leadership skills by addressing complex community problems with interdisciplinary perspectives. We are stepping up for our students to get them over the goal line and on to a life of success and impact.
Honors Program
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
Supporting Sponsor
- Gesa
Student Success Sponsor
- Gravis Law
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.