Norlan Hernández encourages students at Clovis Unified Latino Student Success Conference

Norlan Hernández, Ph.D., associate provost for engagement and inclusive teaching and learning, represented Fresno Pacific University at the 11^th Annual Clovis Unified School District Latino Student Success Conference Monday, March 3.

“Some 600 high school students spent a day being affirmed, inspired and equipped to be the next generation of leaders,” said Hernández, who gave the keynote address.

In his talk, Hernández:

Told his story of being a son of immigrants and first-generation college student who, despite family and financial challenges, demonstrated resilience by spending 14 straight years in school and earning a doctorate.
Shared statistics of the growth in the Hispanic population in the United States, specifically in post-secondary education, with more Latinas and Latinos earning college degrees, and that while 73% of the growth in the workforce from 2010-20 came from the Hispanic community, less than 4% of C-suite positions in Fortune 500 companies are held by Latinas/os.
Called for each student to rise to the occasion in this very difficult time, when Latinas and Latinos are painted as lazy, dangerous and uneducated. “I told them how I am trying to help rewrite that narrative and asked them to join me,” he said.

At Fresno Pacific University 60% of students are Hispanic and 97% of undergraduate students receive financial aid, making access to higher education possible.