El Centro de la Raza

The Latina/o Graduate and Professional Student Initiative was launched in 2008-2009 to support the academic, personal and professional success of Latina/o graduate and professional students at the University of New Mexico. El Centro de la Raza sponsors a fall and spring graduate and professional student fellowship to support students in learning academic and professional skills for conference presentations (fall) and academic writing (spring). Student fellows receive a conference stipend or scholarship upon successful completion of the semester-long fellowship. In addition, the Latina/o Faculty Brown Bags connect students to Latina/o faculty by hosting monthly research presentations. For more information contact elcentro@unm.edu or 277-5020.

Join us for our annual MexSA 5o de Mayo Celebration - 2009

Click here to download the flyer.

Below is an announcement for the NHCC's annual National Latino Writers Conference taking place May 21 - 23, 2009. This is one of the flagship programs at the NHCC and is conducted through the Center's History & Literary Arts program. Thank you in advance for your attention and consideration.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 14, 2009

Contacts:
Carlos Vásquez
505/246-2261 ext. 123
carlos.vasquez@state.nm.us

Danny López
505/246-2261 ext. 120
danny.lopez@state.nm.us

National Hispanic Cultural Center Hosts 7th Annual Writers Conference

Albuquerque - For the seventh year, the National Hispanic Cultural Center (NHCC) will host its annual National Latino Writers Conference May 21-23, 2009 in Albuquerque, New Mexico at the NHCC campus located at the corner of 4th Street and Avenida César Chávez.

Those registering for the conference will be able to attend workshops and panels headed by nationally prominent writers in their respective fields as well as editors, publishers and agents who will share their knowledge and experience in helping writers publish their work. In the life of the conference, attendees have had their work reviewed and published by major, as well as small presses, from throughout the country. In addition, registrants are guaranteed a one-on-one interview with an author, an editor and an agent.

As in previous years the literary genres covered by this year's faculty include: fiction, memoir, poetry, news writing, screenwriting, and playwriting. In addition there will be workshops on how writers can best present their work whether in a public forum or when preparing a manuscript for publication.

This year the registration fee has been reduced to $250 which covers all workshops, panels, meals, a formal banquet, and musical performances. Registration closes on May 10. For more information contact Katie Trujillo at 505-724-4747 or by email at katie.trujillo@state.nm.us

The National Hispanic Cultural Center is a division of the New Mexico Department of Cultural Affairs and is dedicated to the preservation and promotion of Hispanic art and culture at the local, state, national and international levels.

For ALL Students Regardless of Immigration Status
Para TODO estudiante sin importar su estatus inmigratorio

Last updated 7/2003

These scholarships do not require a social security number, legal residency, or citizenship in order to apply. As a general rule, if an application asks for your social security number and you do not have one yet, leave that space blank but still fill out and turn in the application. Contact each scholarship provider for applications and details about updated requirements and deadlines.

Estas becas no requieren ni seguro social, ni la residencia legal, ni la ciudadania para que los estudiantes apliquen. En general, si llenas una aplicación que pide tu número de seguro social y aún no tienes uno, entonces deja ese espacio en blanco pero de todas maneras llena lo demás y entrega la aplicación. Ponte en contacto con el proveedor de cada beca para investigar los requisitos y plazos vigentes.

Click here to see the scholarships.
Presione aqui para ver las becas.

Deadline: April 24th, 2009

Sponsored by
The Department of Communication & Journalism

UNDERGRADUATE STUDENTS FROM ALL MAJORS ARE ENCOURAGED TO ENTER THE COMPETITION!

The Joe and Steve Mercer Memorial Scholarship has been established to provide support for students interested and excelling in the area of public speaking/debate. The recipients of the annual scholarship award will be determined through a speech tournament sponsored by the Department of Communication and Journalism. Scholarship funds will be awarded to the top six speakers:

The 1st place winner will receive $1000.
The 2nd place winner will receive $750.
The 3rd place winner will receive $500.
The 4th, 5th, and 6th place winners will each receive $100.

Eligibility Requirements
In order to qualify for this scholarship, you must currently be a student at the University of New Mexico and must be a full-time student in the Fall of 2009.

How to Enter
All those who are interested in competing for the Mercer Scholarship funds can pick up entry forms from the main office in the C & J Department or you can email Judith Hendry (jhendry@unm.edu) to receive a form electronically. Forms must be completed and returned to the main office or emailed to Judith Hendry by 5:00 p.m. on Monday, April 20th, 2009.

Date/Time of the Competition
The tournament will be held on Friday evening, April 24thth. The number of preliminary and semi-final rounds will be determined by the number of students who enter the competition. Only the top ranked speakers from each round will advance to the final round. The first round will begin at 5:00 pm and participants are asked to be there by 4:30.

Speech Guidelines
You are asked to prepare and present an 8 to 10 minute persuasive speech on any topic of current relevance to local or New Mexico audiences. The speech should be an original work of the student designed to shape, reinforce, or change attitudes, beliefs, values, and/or behavior on the part of the audience. The speech should present a significant problem with a realistic solution. Multiple sources should be used and cited in the speech.

For further information contact jhendry@unm.edu

Controversy Flares Over University of New Mexico's Centro de la Raza

In the 1920s, Mexican educator Jose Vasconcellos developed the concept of "La Raza Cosmica" -- A Cosmic People. In this concept, Vasconcellos points out that the Mexican people have indigenous roots, which are presumed to be Asian, and that when the Spaniards came to the Americas, Mexicans mixed both with Europeans and Africans, thus producing a cosmic race -- a mixture of all the peoples of the world. Over the years, Cruz explained, "La Raza" has simply come to mean "people."

In recognition of this mixture, October 12 in Mexico -- and throughout Latin America -- is celebrated not as Columbus Day, but as "Dia de La Raza" or Day of the People, said Eliseo Torres, vice president of student affairs.

El Centro de la Raza has a long respected history of celebrating many Latino cultures through a variety of venues. We are charged at the University of New Mexico to serve not only the largest growing ethnic population but also educating the campus as a whole. Throughout our 40-year history on campus, we have acknowledged and celebrated the richness of culture. Additionally, we are American citizens with a rich and proud Latino heritage that continuously gets attacked by racist actions.

New Mexico Law> New Mexico Code> Chapter 21 - State and Private Education Institutions.> Article 7 - University of New Mexico, 21-7-1 through 21-7-28.> Section 21-7-9.2 - El Centro de la Raza created; purpose. The "El Centro de la Raza" is created as a service center within the division of student affairs of the university of New Mexico. The center shall provide training, technical assistance, research assistance, student academic support in the form of instruction and tutoring and information dissemination for Hispanic student recruitment and retention. The training, technical assistance, research assistance and information dissemination shall be made available to persons who participate in El Centro de la Raza. El Centro de la Raza shall prepare an annual report for the legislature showing the progress of the center in providing services to Hispanic students.