University of Massachusetts Amherst

Search Google Appliance

Links

Leadership Summit Offers Networking, Mentoring for Robles '12

 

Maria Robles ‘12 (Political Science) was one of fifty students selected nationally to attend the inaugural Latinos on the Fast Track (LOFT) Actionable Leadership Summit in Washington D.C. in September. “Attending the LOFT Leadership Conference in Washington D.C. was a once in a lifetime experience,” Robles said. “I had never been to Washington D.C. before, so seeing all of [the] historic pieces to our nation was just lovely.”

Moreover, the two-day conference provided leadership training, workshops, and networking with national business leaders, as well as visits to Capitol Hill for meetings with elected officials. Importantly, the conference also introduced Robles to “forty-nine extraordinary students from all over the nation that I would have otherwise never met….[The experience] was amazing.”

The LOFT Institute engaged Robles and other LOFT Fellows in policy-discussions around inequalities in the American education system, fundraising, advocacy, and media attention, among other topics.  According to Robles, hearing from elected officials about how they “made it” in government was empowering. “Congressman Honda spoke with us about how he became a Congressman and his experience with education as a first generation [student]. He talked about the power we have as young people through the media…and how we can use it to mobilize our concerns,” Robles remarked.

Congressman Steny Hoyer, former Democratic House Majority Leader and House Minority Whip, also addressed the fellows.  Robles recalls his ultimate advice as “if it is to be, it is up to me.”

In addition to the meetings, workshops, and trainings, Robles received a ticket to the prestigious Hispanic Heritage Awards at the Kennedy Center. “As fellows of the summit, we were given a shout-out [during the ceremony],” said Robles. “It felt great.”

The LOFT Institute was created by the Hispanic Heritage Foundation (HHF) and Hispanic College Fund (HCF) to “systematically identify, prepare, place and retain emerging Latino professionals on a management track.” According to its website, the Institute “looks to reestablish the American workforce as a global competitor by investing in the youngest and fastest growing segment of the population – the Latino community.”

News Type: 

  • Student News