Our Stories, Our Struggles Promoting Latino Male Success Steven Alvarez, Ph.D. Writing, Rhetoric,...

Our Stories, Our Struggles

Promoting Latino Male Success

Steven Alvarez, Ph.D.Writing, Rhetoric, and Digital Studies

University of Kentuckysteven.alvarez@uky.edu

Robert and Anna AlvarezProud parents of a first-

generation college graduate

don't cross the line

Ricardo Perezsi, nosotros crusamos la frontera.

pero that doesn't give you the right to cross the line and judge us.

we are an example of people fighting for happiness.

we can do anything we want as long as we put out minds to it.

Si se puede!

you call us lazy

say we come here to do nothing but have anchor babies

but without us you wouldn't have America, you wouldn't have our labor.

this nation was built on immigrant blood

mi familia y yo hemos hecho de este pais.

tu piensas that only because I come from somewhere else I have no right to succeed in life.

give me a notebook and a pencil, I'll write you my story.

when you read it you'll realize that my life isn't easy and if you live it you'd be grateful not to have lived what I've lived.

si quieren que seamos mejor en este pais, denos la oportunidad de demonstrarles de lo que somos capaces.

give me the opportunity to show you that I can be as great as you, as your parents, and as your president.

I am capable of doing everything you can do, but it's harder for me.

why? because of obstacles history threw at me.

don't throw me obstacles throw me opportunities and you'll see

what I can do

solo quiero triunfar,

y ahora me quieren deportar,

yo no quiero trabajar,

yo voy a luchar, yo voy a triunfar. Ya nomas.

don't throw me obstacles throw don't throw me obstacles throw me opportunities and you'll see me opportunities and you'll see

what I can dowhat I can do

solo quiero triunfar,

y ahora me quieren deportar,

yo no quiero trabajar,

yo voy a luchar, yo voy a triunfar. Ya nomas.

Latino Male Students Deserve 1.Quality

mentorship relationships

2.Institutional support to ensure their success

3.Opportunities for professional development

4.Spaces for dialoging with students sharing similar experiences

Los Nuevos Kentuckianos

• Latinos compose 3% of Kentucky population 132,836*

• Kentucky Latino population increased 122% from 2000-2010*

• Kentucky Latino youth population increased 165% from 2000-2010*

• University of Kentucky Latino male enrollment increased 180% from 2000-2010**

• Latino Male HS Enrollment 11,470***

• Latino Male HS Graduation 62%***

• White Non-Latino Male HS Graduation 69%**

*2010 US Census ** Office for Institutional Diversity***National Center for Education Statistics

Mentorship• Train and coach mentors to

promote college success and to share narratives

• Academic and life guidance, listening to the concerns of Latino male students

• Being an advocate for Latino male academic success

• "Throw opportunities": share with students opportunities and networks

Institutional Support

• Promote internal support systems that encourage Latino male student engagement

• Promote Latino cultural competence across K-12

Professional DevelopmentExtend and reinforce

student engagement through opportunities for professional development, networking opportunities, and Latino success organizations.

Dialogues• Safe space for open

discussions

• Students listening and responding to one another

• Sharing pivotal moments in life and education

• Reinforcing community, involvement, and academic self-perceptions

Conclusions• Mentorship

• Institutional support

• Professional development

• Dialogues

¡Gracias!

Steven Alvarezsteven.alvarez@uky.e

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