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The Virginia Hispanic Youth Symposium
Virginia State University | July 14-17, 2010

College Students/HYS Alumni

Serve as a positive role model for high school students

Why Volunteer with the Hispanic Youth Symposium?

The Hispanic Youth Symposium is a four-day, three-night college empowerment program for high school students. The program seeks to empower students for success in college, career, and community service.

“I decided to become a Resident Advisor because HYS changed my life five years ago. I did not think college was in my reach, because my mom told me I would have to pay for college myself. When I attended HYS, the program taught me that I could go to college and make a difference… I think that being an RA is one the best experiences you can have because it’s more than a title; its being a leader, its being a role model. By being a leader, you are blessing others with your knowledge and success.” Alexandra Llerena, VA HYS 2009 RA

Position Descriptions

Lead Resident Advisor
Resident Advisor
Junior Resident Advisor
Alumni

Lead Resident Advisor will coordinate the Resident Advisor program for his/her HYS and will lead and mentor the Resident Advisors and Junior Resident Advisors throughout the 5 days of the Hispanic Youth Symposium.

Qualifications

Current college student (must have completed sophomore year of college) or recent college graduate; student must be at least 18 yrs old.
Bilingual (preferable)
Able to demonstrate communication skills
Able to demonstrate leadership skills
Able to demonstrate management skills
Responsible and reliable
Able to work in teams
Able to work under pressure and multi-task
Able to stay on campus at all times during HYS (5 days, all expenses paid)

Role Responsibilities

The following list details basic responsibilities. This list is not all-inclusive, and should be adapted to fit the unique needs of each symposium.

Work with the HYS staff from January until the end of the symposium to coordinate the Resident Advisors and Junior Resident Advisors
Identify, recruit and register RAs and Junior RAs for assigned symposium
Conduct training sessions via teleconference or in person for all Resident Advisors and Junior Resident Advisors
Review Familia assignments with RAs
Coordinate dorm key distribution with Student Registration Coordinator
Monitor all RAs and students
Adhere to the code of conduct
Encourage RAs and students to be active and participate in activities and events during HYS
Ensure RAs and students are safe during the symposium
Serve as positive, energetic, and a professional role model to the RAs and students

Resident Advisors will lead and mentor a Familia, a group of 8-10 high school students, throughout all 4 days of the Hispanic Youth Symposium.

Qualifications

Current college student (must have completed sophomore year of college) or recent college graduate; student must be at least 18 yrs old.
Bilingual (preferable)
Able to demonstrate communication skills
Able to demonstrate leadership skills
Able to demonstrate management skills
Responsible and reliable
Able to work in teams
Able to stay on campus at all times during HYS (5 days, all expenses paid)

Role Responsibilities

The following list details basic responsibilities. This list is not all-inclusive, and should be adapted to fit the unique needs of each symposium.

Participate in training sessions (teleconference or workshops)
Agree to mentor and lead a “Familia”, a group of 8-10 high school students, throughout all 4 days of the Hispanic Youth Symposium.
Communicate with students prior to attending the Hispanic Youth Symposium
Encourage students to be active and participate in activities and events during HYS
Participate in all student related activities
Ensure students are safe and are following the Code of Conduct during the symposium
Serve as positive, energetic, and a professional role model to high school students

Junior Resident Advisors will be assisting the Resident Advisors with their Familia members as well as helping the Lead RAs and HCF staff throughout the symposium.

Qualifications

Current College student or a graduating senior in high school (at least 18 yrs old at time of symposium).
Bilingual (preferable)
Able to demonstrate communication skills
Able to demonstrate leadership skills
Able to demonstrate management skills
Responsible and reliable
Able to work in teams
Able to stay on campus at all times during HYS (5 days, all expenses paid)

Role Responsibilities

Participate in training sessions (teleconference or workshops)
Assist Lead RAs, RAs, Volunteers and HCF Staff during HYS
Serve as a mentor to the Alumni group
Participate in all student related activities
Encourage students to be active and participate in activities and events during HYS
Conduct nightly rounds
Ensure students are safe and are following the Code of Conduct during the symposium
Serve as positive, energetic, and a professional role model to high school students

Alumni will be assisting the all the HCF Staff, Volunteers, RAs, and will be serving as roles models.

Qualifications

Current High School Student
Has participated in the Hispanic Youth Symposium
Bilingual (preferable)
Able to demonstrate communication skills
Able to demonstrate leadership skills
Responsible and reliable
Able to work in teams
Able to stay on campus at all times during HYS

Role Responsibilities

The following list details basic responsibilities. This list is not all-inclusive, and should be adapted to fit the unique needs of each symposium.

Assist Lead RAs, RAs, Volunteers and HCF Staff during HYS
Participate in all student related activities
Assist with facilitating HYS activities
Assist with setting up the HYS activities
Server as an ambassador of the Hispanic Youth Institute
Encourage participants to be active and participate in activities and events during HYS
Serve as a positive and energetic role model to their peers and to the students participating at the Hispanic Youth Symposium

“To those who are considering becoming an RA, I say go for it! Hispanic youth need our experiences to know that it is not impossible to do something with their lives! It is the best week you can spend volunteering; at the end you’ll wish you would have a couple more weeks to talk to these kids!” Hilda Nayeli, NM HYS 2009 RA

Application and Contact Information

Applications are now closed.

Questions or concerns:

Tatiana Santiago
Director of Professional Development
Phone: 202-296-5400
E-mail: tsantiago@hispanicfund.org

“What surprised me most at the symposium was the bond I made with my students and realizing that a little positive influence could go a long way with these students…and the most rewarding part was when the students who, after they completed the symposium, told me that they were no longer scared to attend college and that I, as well as other RAs and their peers, encouraged them to explore college as an option after high school.” Antonio Hernandez, MD HYS 2009 RA