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The Dallas Hispanic Youth Symposium
Southern Methodist University | June 16-19, 2010

About the Hispanic College Fund

Founded in 1993, the Hispanic College Fund is a national non-profit organization based in Washington D.C. whose mission is to develop the next generation of Hispanic professionals. For 15 years the Hispanic College Fund has provided educational, scholarship, and mentoring programs to students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, establishing a pipeline of talented and career-driven Hispanics who are trained in the fields of business, science, technology, and math.

Community and corporate partners have been key to the success of Hispanic College Fund programming. In regions nationwide, the Hispanic College Fund partners with community-based groups such as MESA, GEAR UP, and AVID to work with college-aspiring students year-round to encourage college achievement.

The Hispanic College Fund’s corporate partners help provide underserved students with merit- and need-based scholarships, internships, mentors, and jobs. Through these relationships, the Hispanic College Fund has become the premier organization in working with Hispanic students through the high school/college/career trajectory while strengthening workforce diversity by connecting talented students to professional opportunity.

The Hispanic College Fund has an annual budget of $6 million with 20 full-time employees. In 2006 the Hispanic College Fund received the Brillante award for “Nonprofit of the Year” from the National Society of Hispanic MBAs, and in 2007 was recognized by USA Today as one of the nation’s top 25 charities.

Programs

The Fund boasts a number of initiatives designed to impact deserving students at critical stages in their educational career, including:

The Hispanic College Fund Symposium

This initiative is dedicated to creating a pool of Hispanic high school sophomores and juniors who are focused on attending college and securing professional careers. The first program in the initiative is a youth symposium, during which 100-200 students travel to a local college campus for a three-night, four-day program. This high-energy event allows the students to develop a network of like-minded peers, connect with role models and mentors, learn about the resources that will earn them a seat in college, compete for scholarships, and develop a long-term career vision. Participation in the symposium only requires a $10 personal investment fee from each student; student participants are identified with the help of community-based programs such as AVID and GEAR UP.

More than 100 community volunteers assist with on-site coordination, and local and national businesses provide sponsorships, speakers, mentors, and recruiting opportunities. Admissions representatives from an array of colleges and universities - often including representatives from the Ivy League - present sessions related to college preparation and admission.

Following the symposium, a Hispanic College Fund regional manager works in conjunction with the community to provide ongoing year-round college and career information, tools, and resources to the symposia participants.

In 2010 the Hispanic College Fund Youth Symposium will be offered in seven cities: Fresno, CA, Albuquerque, NM; Baltimore, MD; Richmond, VA; Los Angeles, CA and Dallas, TX.

Scholarships

The Hispanic College Fund awards $2.5 million annually in scholarships to 600 Hispanic students based on financial need and academic merit. In 2009 more than 38,000 students started the online application process.

Karen Marquez Institute

This highly-competitive annual program brings 30-40 Hispanic College Fund scholarship recipients to Washington, DC to participate in an intensive professional development program, which includes lessons in networking, interviewing, resume preparation and etiquette. Nearly 70% of Hispanic College Fund scholars are the first in their family to attend college, and this program provides them with exposure to the professional world.