Congratulations to the planners of the first the TCC College-wide Hispanic Heritage Month Abrazando al Exito (Embracing Success) program that was successfully held last month at Trinity River Campus.
Raul Magdaleno, associate director of Diversity and Community Outreach at Southern Methodist University, in his presentation “Leaders in Construction” encouraged the 150 attendees to follow their dreams. “Do not let others tell you what you can or cannot accomplish,” said Magdaleno, who migrated with his family from Mexico to Dallas at the age of 2.
Many in the audience were brought to tears as he emotionally recounted the hardships and triumphs he has experienced including taking sole responsibility for his sister with disabilities and mother when he was 7 years old because of his father’s death and his brothers were in prison.
Magdaleno firmly believes that education is the greatest weapon to fight poverty and exemplifies the Latino values of hard work and perseverance. He received the U.S. Congressional Awards Gold Medal in 2004, for his efforts to help the victims of domestic violence. The congressional medal is Congress’ highest civilian service award.
Special thanks to committee member Magdalena de laTeja who provided details about the event for this blog.
Committee members by campus included:
Northeast — de la Teja, vice president for Student Development Services; Modesta Lopez-Tollison, ESOL instructor; Lilian Mabry, counselor; Edwardo Perez, assistant professor of Music; and Paula Vastine, director of Student Development Services.
Northwest Campus — Vesta Martinez, director of Student Development Services, chair; Susie Olmos-Soto, director of Continuing Education Services; Pete Portillo, academic advisor; and Marisa Reyes, coordinator of Special Projects.
South — Sandra Bermejo, academic advisor; and Susie Carranza, counselor.
Southeast — Rosemarie Hammon, Academic Advisor; Ivan Mino, assistant professor of Spanish and Department Chair of Reading and World Languages; Ruben Najera, coordinator of Student Development Services; and Doug Peak, director of Student Development Services.
Trinity — Aracely Chavez, Academic Advisor, Trinity River Campus; and Leticia Gallegos, director of Weekend College.
Keep up the good work!