Austin Community College faculty and staff are invited to attend “Latino Perspectives: Characteristics of Today’s Latino Students and Strategies for Academic Success,” at the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Friday, April 27, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m.

The symposium will feature nationally recognized educators, authors, and playwrights who will share their insights and expertise about the cultural differences and experiences that influence and impact Latino students.

Between 2005 and 2011 the number of Hispanic credit students enrolled at ACC increased 59 percent. The number of Hispanic residents within ACC’s eight-county service area is projected to grow to compose 34 percent of the area’s total population by 2015.

“Latino youth make up the region’s largest student population segment and represent the future backbone of the Central Texas workforce,” says Dr. Richard Rhodes, ACC President/CEO. “The college and its employees must understand and adjust to the opportunities and challenges of today’s Latino youth so that we can meet their educational needs.”

Among the symposium presenters are Dr. Patricia Gándara and Dr. Frances Contreras, co-authors of the book “The Latino Education Crises: The Consequences of Failed Social Policies.” Other speakers are playwright and author Malin Alegrí­a, and Austin playwright, actor, and director Rupert Reyes.

The symposium will include question-and-answer sessions and small group discussions involving ACC students. Guillermo Martinez, ACC institutional studies coordinator, will present data from the SENSE (Survey of Entering Student Engagement) and CCSSE (Community College Survey of Student Engagement) surveys.

“The ideas and insights shared will help us develop programs and practices to increase the retention and completion rates of this emerging student population,” says Dr. Richard Armenta, ACC associate vice president for student success.

“Latino Perspectives” is co-sponsored by the Texas Association of Chicanos in Higher Education, the Cross Campus Program Advisory Committee, and ACC’s Institutional Effectiveness and Accountability, Student Recruitment, and Student Success offices. The symposium is free to ACC employees.

Click here to register or to view the full schedule of presentations. Seating is limited; register early to ensure a spot. For more information, call 223.7795.