Community Partners
It would be impossible to host this program without a broad network of supporters. These organizations and individuals are providing tremendous support to the Hispanic Youth Symposium in the Central Valley.
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium
California State University, Fresno
Central California Consortium
Latino Rotary de Fresno
Community Supporters
Fresno Area Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Congressman Jim Costa
Educational Community Partners
Educational Talent Search, CSU Fresno
University Outreach Services, CSU Fresno
Hispanic Youth Symposium Padrino Chairman
James Oftedal
Director, Central California Consortium
Hispanic Youth Symposium Honorary Chair
Jose Antonio Ramirez
Latino Rotary de Fresno
Volunteer Coordinators
Agni Fernandez
Educational Talent Search, CSU Fresno
Angela Ausman
Social Security Administration
Hispanic Heroes Coordinator
Hernan Maldonado
CSU Fresno
“Issues to Action” Session Coordinator
Jose Antonio Ramirez
Art Competition Coordinator
Dora Mora
Central California Hispanic Chamber of Commerce
Talent Competition Coordinator
Fabian Garcia
Southern California Consortium
Speech Competition Coordinator
Cheri Cruz
Central Valley Higher Education Consortium
Essay Competition Coordinator
Frances Pena-Olguin
University Outreach Services, CSU Fresno
Additional Planning Committee Members
Cesar Lucio
Latino Rotary de Fresno
Mark Wilson
Latino Rotary de Fresno
James Oftedal
Biography
Mr. James Oftedal has been the Director of the highly distinguished and successful Central California Consortium (CCC) for the last thirteen years. The CCC is the only known Forest Service funded environmental education, outreach, and recruitment program working to build a bridge between the agency and underserved communities, including Latinos and Southeast Asians. The majority of students who participate in the CCC are minority first generation students, whose families have traditionally worked the agricultural fields of Central California. Mr. Oftedal is helping these students transition into careers within the Forest Service and other USDA agencies.
Mr. Oftedal is dedicated to helping Hispanic youth fulfill their dreams of higher education by currently serving on the HYS National Advisory Board. Most recently he was honored with the role of “Padrino” (Honorary Chairman) for the 3rd Annual Central Valley HYS.
