A group of Latin American students got an earful of good ideas about college success and leadership. Javier Gonzales, chairman of the New Mexico Democratic Party, spoke to UNM’s League of United Latin American Citizens at its monthly meeting Friday. He said 2 percent of Latinos earn their Ph.D. out of the 46 million who attend college, and he hopes talks with Latin college students will help that number rise.
“If not you, then who?” he said.
Gonzales also said the number of Latino college graduates will increase and that test scores will improve as a result of the Hispanic Education Act, which was passed during the legislative session and is awaiting Gov. Richardson’s approval.
LULAC President Joe’L Trujillo brought Gonzales to the meeting, and has plans to bring more prominent New Mexico Latinos to the monthly LULAC meetings to speak with students, he said.
With the opportunities to speak and work with college students in New Mexico, Gonzales said he hopes to see more leaders rise and support those changes in New Mexico.
“Take advantage of opportunities in leadership roles. But if you become a leader, prepare to be tested,” he said. “Sometimes, when you’re put in a leadership position, you want things to happen quickly, but change doesn’t always happen as fast as you want it to.”
Gonzales told stories of his experiences in the leadership positions he has held in his career — one being a member of the Board of Regents for Highlands University when Manny Aragon was President.
“This was the hardest time in my career, and I am glad for what it taught me, because it made me a better leader today,” he said.
Gonzales emphasized his role in cultivating leadership among Latino college students.
“If all I give them is awareness through my interaction with them, well, that’s a good start,” he said.
Get content from The Daily Lobo delivered to your inbox
