20th Annual Multicultural Youth Conference Attracts Hundreds to WSU for College Prep

OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s 20th annual Multicultural Youth Conference will draw hundreds of underrepresented students, from grades nine to 12, who want a head start on higher education to the Shepherd Union Building Jan. 8 from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m.

More than 600 students from Davis, Weber and Ogden school districts are registered for the daylong event. Workshops will focus on skills needed for college success, including financial literacy and planning, writing for scholarships, student leadership in college, cultural diversity and community involvement.

Jose Enriquez, who received a Ph.D. in education at Brigham Young University and founded Latinos in Action (LIA), a non-profit, Latino youth leadership organization, will present the keynote address at 12:30 p.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms.

In collaboration with many departments and academic programs across campus, Weber State’s department of Education Access and Outreach hosts the annual event to empower students to be successful in college. Youth in attendance will have the chance to interact and ask questions of WSU faculty, staff and students.

“First generation, low income or ethnic minority students often lack knowledge about admissions, enrollment, federal financial aid applications and scholarship availability,” said Amy Huntington, Education Access and Outreach college readiness coordinator. “This conference is one way to get students the information needed to access and succeed in higher education.”

Interspersed throughout the day, university, high school and community volunteers will lead break-out sessions focused on cultural and diversity awareness.

 Performers, including the North Davis Junior High Multicultural Choir, the Ogden High/Weber State Mexican Ballet Folklorica, and Native American and step dancers, will entertain and raise cultural awareness.

For high-resolution photos, please visit the following links:

wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2014-photos/December-2014/i-KxXvLXB/0/XL/Multicultural1-XL.jpg
wsuucomm.smugmug.com/Press-Release-Photos/2014-photos/December-2014/i-RkCxgNX/0/XL/multiculturallogo-XL.jpg

Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.

Author:
Allison Barlow Hess, Director of Public Relations
801-626-7948 • ahess@weber.edu
Contact:
Amy Huntington, Education Access and Outreach college readiness coordinator
801-626-7320 amyhuntington@weber.edu
 
Betty Sawyer, State GEAR UP Partnership program director
801-395-3547 bettysawyer@weber.edu