Preparing Broncos for leadership and community engagement
in Silicon Valley and beyond.
In light of the Latinx community being California’s largest and fastest growing minority population in California, our goal is to strengthen communities of Silicon Valley and to support diversity, equity, inclusion, and social justice for the empowerment and well-being of the community in our region, across California, and beyond.
We are committed to ensuring a successful college transition, especially for students who are the first in their families to attend college and/or are of historically disadvantaged communities. Students selected for the program will have demonstrated “ganas” and commitment to helping their families and elevating their local communities.
The SCU Latinx Leadership Incubator will leverage our location and the SCU Bronco network, with special invitations to Latinx professional leaders in Silicon Valley, to participate in our panels and workshops. As the number of new SCU transfer students grows, we hope to increase the program’s visibility and capacity to include all transfer students who wish to participate.
This virtual program will activate immediate student-to-student connections and provide insight and access to campus and professional resources in Silicon Valley. We believe that with quality education, strong professional and social networks, combined with guidance and mentorship, our transfer students will rise to become active Bronco leaders on campus, in their professions, and in their communities.
Our Goals
Bronco Networking
Career Counseling
Community Impact
Financial Foundation
Schedule of Events
Below is the schedule of events for September 11 and 12, 2024! Make sure to register if you have not done so already.
All events are subject to change.
Day 1: Wednesday, September 11
| Description | Time |
|---|---|
|
Welcome: Buenos Dias Eva Blanco Masias, '11, SCU VP of Enrollment Management |
9:00am-9:50am |
|
Break |
9:50am-10:00am |
|
Getting Acquainted: Vamos a Conocernos (Icebreaker) |
10:00am-10:30am |
|
Getting Acquainted: Vamos a Conocernos (Icebreaker) Randy Wang, Senior Associate Director of Undergraduate Admission (Strategic Engagement) at Santa Clara University |
10:00am-10:30am |
|
Opening Address Dr. Cruz Medina, Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition, Department of English at Santa Clara University |
10:30am-11:30am |
|
Lunch Break |
11:30am-12:30pm |
|
Getting Acquainted: Vamos a Conocernos (cont.) |
12:30pm-1:00pm |
|
SCU Student Perspectives, Panel of LLI Alumni Ahira Foster, Past LLI Participant |
1:00pm-2:00pm |
|
Accessing SCU Resources Trista San Agustin, Director of One-Stop Enrollment Center |
2:00pm-3:00pm |
|
Day 1 Wrap Up & Reflection |
3:00pm-3:30pm |
Day 2: Thursday, September 12
| Description | Time |
|---|---|
|
Unique Resources & Opportunities Amanda Chavez, Off-Campus Area Coordinator, Off-Campus Living |
9:00am-10:00am |
|
Rock your LinkedIn Profile & The Hidden Job Market Myriam Bartz, Assistant Director of Career Development, SCU Career Center |
10:00am-11:00am |
|
Personal Financing & Investing in your future |
11:00am-12:00pm |
|
Lunch Break |
12:00pm-1:00pm |
|
Go Anywhere from Here: Careers and Community Armando Aguilar Lopez, Deputy Public Defender - Immigration Defender, Contra Costa Public Defender's Office |
1:00pm-2:00pm |
|
Closing Keynote Manuel Perez, '04, President of College of San Mateo |
2:00pm-3:00pm |
|
Reflecting on your future Victor Lemus MA, Campus Minister, Community Justice Formation |
3:00pm-3:30pm |
Speakers Biography
Check the link below for all our speakers for Latinx Leadership Incubator IV!
- Vice President of Enrollment Management at Santa Clara UniversityEva Blanco Masias
Eva Blanco Masias serves on the president's cabinet and oversees Undergraduate Admission, University Financial Aid, and Enrollment Services departments. Eva worked for ten years in Latino media as a leader in ad sales and marketing for several start-up operations launching into Latin American and the U.S. Hispanic market, including Fox Latin American Channel, USA Networks, Discovery Networks, and El Sitio.com. She serves on several boards and committees of local and national non-profit organizations including The Foundation of Hispanic Education and is past President of the National Catholic College Admission Association. Eva received her bachelor's degree in economics from Yale and master's in education administration from Santa Clara University.
- Associate Professor of Rhetoric and CompositionCruz Medina
Cruz Medina is Associate Professor of Rhetoric and Composition in the English department at Santa Clara University, where he has taught courses on digital writing, the rhetoric of comics, and with the first-generation LEAD scholars program since 2013. He believes in experiential learning and has taken SCU students to participate in the Shakespeare workshop at San Quentin prison with incarcerated men. From 2017-2020, Prof. Medina was co-chair of the Latinx Caucus of the national conference of College Composition and Communication. He was a co-author for the National Council of Teachers of English (NCTE) position statement on Media Education in English Language Arts, and his article on translingual student writing was included in the Best of the Journals in Rhetoric and Composition 2020. Since 2016, Professor Medina has taught graduate courses for Middlebury College's Bread Loaf School of English. Professor Medina's second book Sanctuary: Exclusion, Violence, and Indigenous Migrants in the East Bay comes out September 2024 and comes from three years of research while volunteering as an English teacher for recent migrants in the Bay Area.
- Latinx Leadership Incubator II AlumYajaira Orozco
Yajaira Orozco is a proud first-generation transfer student who recently graduated with the Class of 2024. Yajaira holds a B.A. in Environmental Science, with minors in Sustainability and Ethnic Studies. During their time at Santa Clara University, Yajaira focused on work aligned with environmental justice, equity, and social justice. Yajaira was actively involved in the Lead Scholars program, serving as a Peer Mentor for transfer students, and participated in the Ignatian Center’s immersion program in Costa Rica with LEAD. Additionally, Yajaira had the opportunity to conduct fieldwork for their ENVS 144 lab on the Natural History of Baja California in Baja, Mexico. For their senior capstone project, they undertook a project rooted in environmental justice, addressing the CV-Salts Program to ensure that families in the Central Valley had access to nitrate-free water. In the future, Yajaira hope to continue pursuing work in the environmental field abroad.
What Past Participants Have to Say
"The program has inspired me to be relentless and have more courage to network with people. Most importantly this program reminded me of the importance to never limit myself in my capabilities."
"After hearing such amazing stories, I am more than inspired to believe in myself and also to know that I can make a change out there in the world! I want to create an academy or some sort of program where I would be able to help other people like myself enter the STEM field in my hometown."
2024 Student Participants
Major: Management
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I've always felt at home on the West Coast, and Santa Clara University’s prime location, along with its renowned programs, strongly attracted me to the school.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I am excited about the many opportunities that will come my way at Santa Clara, including the chance to network with many like-minded individuals.
Major: Mechanical Engineering
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I transferred to SCU to complete my bachelors in Mechanical Engineering as part of Saint Mary's College of California's Dual Degree Engineering program.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I am most excited to experience a new environment and meet other students interested in all things engineering.
Major: Undeclared - College of Arts and Sciences
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I transferred to SCU because of the Jesuit values and care the administration and teachers have for the students’ education is extremely evident. My mom worked at SCU for some time as a Spanish professor and only had amazing things to say and I knew then that was the environment I needed to be in.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I am most excited that SCU is an environment that I am not used to or familiar with where I am going to have the opportunity to learn new things and have new experiences. I thrive in situations that challenge me, because I realized that these situations have brought me the most opportunities for growth and self-discovery. Welcoming change with open arms and being able to embrace it, allows me to learn both more about myself and life.
Major: Child Studies
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I transferred due to the accountability and great reputation of the school as well as the education I want to receive.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I am most excited about establishing connections and learning how to start my own buisness.
Major: Political Science
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I transferred to SCU because it aligned with my interests and the opportunities to grow as a student and individual.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I am most excited about being involved on campus and learning from faculty, and mentors.
Major: Communication
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
For a better education.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
Meeting new people and building my network.
Major: Psychology
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I transferred to SCU because it's an incredible school in Silicon Valley that guides first-generation students into a successful career path. I hope to be able to accomplish many things throughout my years at SCU.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I'm excited about the new opportunities SCU has to offer and involving myself in extracurriculars such as 'LLI' and 'Boxing'.
Major: Undeclared - College of Arts and Sciences
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
To continue my education at a home felt school
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
Making connections and making friends
Major: Marketing
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
I transferred to SCU because of how many of the alumni I knew raved about the school and how they benefited so much from attending. They told me so many stories about life as a student and I was sold. The school and campus life resonated with me and felt like a perfect fit. Plus the campus is beautiful!!
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
I think I am most excited about the new opportunities that arise from transferring to a new school. Theres so many opportunities to learn, grow and foster new relationships. I can’t wait to unlock this new chapter of my life!
Major: Political Science
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
For its strong academic programs and supportive community.
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
Opportunities for growth and the chance to connect with a vibrant and engaged community at SCU.
Major: English
Why did you choose to Transfer to SCU?
The homely feeling of the Spanish architecture, proximity to my hometown, and the relatively small size of the student body
As you begin your next chapter at Santa Clara University, what are you most excited about?
Transitioning into adulthood through education