Austin, TX – May 2, 2008 – Austin Community College will host the Immigration, Education, and Our Future conference at St. Edward’s University on Friday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Educational leaders from Texas, Arizona, and Washington will discuss issues affecting immigrant students and their families.

“Immigrants face unique challenges in reaching their educational goals. This conference is a great opportunity to identify those challenges and discuss how to best address them,” said Dr. Richard Armenta, Associate Vice President, ACC Office of Student Success, and a member of the conference steering committee.

During the conference, researchers will unveil two reports on immigrant high school and college students. ACC’s Center for Public Policy and Political Studies (CPPPS) funded and facilitated the research that produced the findings. “The information from these reports will provide conference attendees insight into the real challenges these students face,” said Peck Young, Director of the CPPPS.

The Latino/Latin American Studies Center at ACC (called El Centro) initiated the conference and the college’s Office of Student Success oversaw the development of the project. The School of Education at St. Edward’s University co-sponsored the event.

“St. Edward’s has been a wonderful partner, and we are grateful for the opportunity to discuss these very relevant issues facing our students,” said Dr. Mariano Díaz-Miranda, Director of El Centro.

Conference speakers include:

• Dr. Karen Embry Jenlink, Dean, School of Education, St. Edward’s University

• Sr. Donna Jurick, Executive Vice President and Provost, St. Edward’s University

• Dr. Mariano Díaz-Miranda, Director, Latino/Latin American Studies Center at ACC
• Dr. Larry J. Estrada, Director and associate professor, Social Theory/Comparative Cultural Studies at Western Washington University

• Professor Rebecca Orozco, founding member of the Border College Consortium and Director, Center for Lifelong Learning at Cochise College in Arizona

• Leslie Helmcamp, Director, Immigration Legal Service Program, Catholic Charities of Central Texas

• Dr. Pedro Reyes, Associate Vice Chancellor, Academic Planning and Assessment, University of Texas at Austin.