Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute Announces its New Graduating Class

Jan. 8, 2013 - PRLog -- Saginaw, MI - The Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute (GLBHLI) will welcome the newest class to complete its leadership development program during the 4th annual graduation ceremony at Saginaw Valley State University, Curtiss Hall Ballroom, Thursday, January 24, 2013 at 6 p.m.  Members of the Detroit Tigers have announced they will attend the graduation to recognize the graduates hard work and commitment to their community.

Established in 2009, the GLBHLI is a nonprofit organization that provides a forum for Hispanics to learn, network and collaborate with individuals from all walks of life. This program is designed as a leadership identification program, with the specific goal of developing and fostering our future community leaders.

GLBHLI was founded by Monica B. Reyes, Director of Continuing Education and Professional Development at SVSU, and Larry Rodarte, Publisher of Mi Gente magazine. The pair built upon Cesar Chavez’ famous observation: “We cannot seek achievement for ourselves and forget about progress and prosperity for our community...Our ambitions must be broad enough to include the aspirations and needs of others, for their sakes and for our own.”

Participants in the institute, called ambassadors, met once a month, focusing on themes that would advance ethical, diverse and collaborative leadership.  Specific areas of interest included: leadership, identifying strengths and talents, networking, community service, economic development, education, local media, health care and local government. In addition, all ambassadors were required to complete 40 hours of community service with a United Way-affiliated organization.

The newest class of graduating ambassadors is: Coral Aguilar, Sylvia Rocha Christenson, Anjela Guijosa, Adelina Maria Gutierrez, Carolyn Hernandez, Cresencio Hernandez III, Veronica Ann Jimenez, Alvaro Martin de Campo, Christina Martinez, Lissette Perez, Javier Ruiz, Antonia Tijerina, Victoria Trevino and Debbie Vasquez.  Applications are currently being accepted through January 18, 2013 for the next cohort. Applications may be downloaded at www.glbhispanicleadership.org.  

For more information about the leadership program and sponsorship opportunities, contact Monica Reyes at mbreyes@svsu.edu. For ticket information to the graduation ceremony, contact Syl Banks at 989.964.4048 or register online at www.svsu.edu/ocepd.