Two MDC Kendall Campus Students Selected to Become Future Latina Leaders
Yanyn San Luis (left) and Odalys Solares (right) at Kendall
Miami, Tuesday, June 10, 2008 - Two Miami Dade College (MDC) Kendall Campus students were selected for the prestigious Latinas Learning to Lead Summer Youth Institute, a week-long comprehensive program held in Washington, D.C. to train the next generation Latina leaders. Yanyn San Luis and Odalys Solares are among 22 young women chosen from a pool of more than 5,000 applicants nationwide.
The Institute, which runs from July 20 to 26, focuses on personal and career planning, health and well-being, entrepreneurship and leadership skills. Participants will attend sessions on cross-cultural communication, conflict resolution, race, class, and gender issues. In addition, they will have the opportunity to interact with high-level Latina leaders during lectures, group exercises and site visits.
Last fall, San Luis completed an internship at the office of U.S. Congresswoman Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, and MDC alumna who also attended Kendall Campus. She hopes the Institute will provide a similar experience to help reach her aspirations.
“My ultimate goal is to become Speaker of the House,” said San Luis, 20. “At the institute, I hope to gain a better understanding of how to get there by meeting Hispanic women leaders, hearing their stories.”
The recently-elected Phi Beta Lamba’s (PBL) president for the State of Florida earned an associate degree in political science from MDC this May. At the Kendall Campus, San Luis served as vice-president of PBL, the campus’ student business organization. This month, she was honored with a gold award at the second Annual President’s Volunteer Service Awards for completing more than 200 hours of community service.
Solares, 19, also graduated this May with an associate degree in accounting. The president of Kendall Campus’ PBL chapter is also a member of the 2008 All-Florida Academic Team and plans to pursue a bachelor’s degree in accounting, followed by an advanced degree in corporate or tax law.
Media-only contacts:
Juan Mendieta, 305-237-7611, jmendiet@mdc.edu, MDC communications director
Sue Arrowsmith, 305-237-3710, sue.arrowsmith@mdc.edu, media specialist