Great News! HBLI was notified by Rosanna Rodriguez, W. K. Kellogg Foundation program officer, that our request to add two other universities for the purpose of preparing new leaders was approved. Action by the Kellogg Foundation Board of Directors was taken in June. The two new universities added to the HBLI consortium are: The University of Southern California in Los Angeles, and the University of Texas Pan American in Edinberg. Each of the universities will be able to prepare six to seven fellows. Thus, the consortium of six institutions of higher education will be preparing a total of 32 fellows over a three-year period of time. As a reminder, each fellow receives a $20,000 stipend per year for three years. We believe this is one of the best stipends across the country currently to study for a doctorate in educational leadership. The focus of the preparation is for the fellows to be future change agents, with a sound understanding of Mexico U.S. border issues and a k-16 comprehensive understanding.

        It is planned that 14 new fellows will begin their course of study no later than the fall semester of 1999. Recruitment of the fellows for both campuses will begin this fall semester. We will send information and applications to you in the event you have someone you wish to nominate or to pass on the application material to someone you want to encourage to apply. The campus directors for the HBLI program have been selected. At UT Pan American Patrick Lynch, professor of Educational Administration, will head up the doctoral program. Professor Lynch was at Penn State University prior to joining the faculty at UT Pan American. At USC, Estela Bensimon, a professor in the Center for Higher Education Policy Analysis, will be the program director.

        Miguel Nevarez, President of UT Pan Am is thrilled with the prospect of UTPA participating in HBLI. He states, “The Kellogg Program Scholars will have a significant impact on educational opportunity in the Lower Rio Grande Valley. The scholars will also link the educational systems in Mexico and the United States for the advantage of students and parents in both countries. The Kellogg Program will provide an opportunity for scholars to work in an area that is a fertile territory for cross-cultural research in learning and teaching. Truly, leadership in education will be enriched by the experiences of the Kellogg Scholars.” Similarly, Guilbert C. Hentschke, Emery Stoops and Joyce King-Stoops  Dean of the School of Education at USC, is enthusiastic about being a part of the HBLI program. He states, “ Only with dynamic leadership can we hope to redefine excellence in urban education. W.K. Kellogg’s HBLI provides the critical investment capital to support the development of these leaders. USC is eager to join like-minded institutions in this important initiative.”

        We believe USC and UT Pan Am will bring new strengths to the doctoral preparation program to HBLI and add diversity to perspectives on key border educational issues. Clearly, the consortium and the constituents we serve will benefit greatly from their involvement.

Second Board Leadership Development a Success

        The second leadership development training session took place in San Diego/Del Mar, California on June 25-28. Fourteen board members from Arizona, California, New Mexico and Texas were in attendance. Present from Arizona were: Marty Cortez, Pima County Community College and Mercedes Robles, Wilson Elementary School District. From California, there were: Rudy Cardenas, Imperial Valley Community College, John Nunez, Garvey School District, Abe Rojas, Yosemite Community College District, Victorio Rojas, Dinuba Unified School District, Robert Salas, Santa Puala Union High  School District and Catheryn Valenzuela, Napa County Office of Education. From New Mexico, there were Ruben Alvarado, Las Cruces Public Schools District #2, Jeff Carbajal, Cobre Consolidated Schools and Rosie Holguin, Anthony School District. From Texas, there were Robert Garza and Vincent Lazaro, Alamo Community College District, and Cynthia Muniz-Berain, Eagle Pass ISD,

 
 
        As in the first workshop, we were fortunate to have outstanding presenters. Armando Ruiz, a very experienced California board member and community college educator spoke about the fundamentals of board membership. James Vasquez, a well recognized school administrator in Texas and nationally, spoke about the relationship between the CEO and Board members. Jaime Gutierrez, former State Senator in Arizona spoke to the group on establishing relationships and getting a better understanding about state legislatures. Forbes and Teresa Jordan, both experts in school finance, shared  with the group on this topic. Roy Rodriguez, an  education professor with a law degree at NMSU, spoke about legal aspects. The topic of passing a bond election was addressed by a trio: Juan Aguilera, an attorney with Fulbright and Jaworski, covered the legal points; Rea Bennett, with Maricopa County Community College, covered strategies to be used and Robert Rodriguez, CEO of SW Captial Markets Inc. spoke about the financial perspective.

        Providing support to HBLI and adding to a successful event were Dr. Auggie Gallegos, President of San Diego Community College. He provided food at the opening reception. Arlene Hazelrigg, CEO, Risk Management Firm from Diamond Bar, graciously provided libations. Music was donated by Dr. Serafin Zasueta, President of Southwestern College, with the College’s mariachi band.

         Joining the open night reception and demonstrating their interest in HBLI were Dr. William Vega, Chancellor of Coast Community College District and Dr. Silas Abrego, Associate Vice President at California State University at Fullerton.  Also leading their support were Manny Frias of Coast Community College District and Rosa Maria Amado, Affirmative Action Officer at CSU, Fullerton.

        The third board leadership development workshop is scheduled for September 10-13, 1998 to be held in Phoenix, Arizona. Fifteen new trustees will be identified and invited to attend.

Tentative Calendar of Upcoming Events

August

3,4,5        Orientation for New Fellows at ASU

24            Fall semester begins for Fellows

September

10-13       3rd Board Leadership Training

21-23       Congressional Hispanic Institute
                Presentation in Washington, DC

27-30       HACU Conference in San Diego