MIT Avanza Group to Promote Higher Education at National Conference in Las Vegas

Las Vegas, Nevada, September 6, 2016 (Newswire.com) - Avanza Network (“Avanza”) will host this year’s annual conference in Las Vegas, Nevada beginning Thursday, September 8, 2016 and through Sunday, September 11, 2016. The conference will bring together MIT Mexican-American alumni from throughout the U.S. to discuss important issues affecting our communities.  Avanza plans to address over 500 high school students and their parents in 14 different high schools in underserved communities about the critical importance of a higher education.  Since its formation in 2011, the group has reached out to and inspired thousands of high school students in cities across the country. 

 “Education is the great equalizer, and it’s the responsibility of those of us who have walked the path to inspire and help the next generation reach their full potential,” stated Frances Pinedo, President of Avanza.   “For these kids growing up in poorer, underserved communities, sometimes just hearing from someone who originated from a similar background and is accomplishing the unimaginable is all it takes to inspire them to aim high.  Avanza members understand that these young students have unique skillsets that enable them to both overcome tremendous obstacles and thrive in advanced fields.  The most complex problems can be solved by these type of personalities who are by nature resilient, resourceful, and grittier.  It’s also important for our youth to understand that Mexican immigrants and Mexican-Americans are major contributors to this country and its economy, and a strong education will only augment that further.”

"Education is the great equalizer, and it's the responsibility of those of us who have walked the path to inspire and help the next generation reach their full potential. For these kids growing up in poorer, underserved communities, sometimes just hearing from someone who originated from a similar background and is accomplishing the unimaginable is all it takes to inspire them to aim high. Avanza members understand that these young students have unique skillsets that enable them to both overcome tremendous obstacles and thrive in advanced fields."

Frances Pinedo, President and co-Founder

Avanza will also be distributing its first book as part of its annual conference.  The book, produced and published with Weeva (www.weeva.com), contains the inspiring true stories of several Avanza members and their varied paths towards a higher education and successful career.  The stories can be read online at bookstore.weeva.com/products/Avanza.

Avanza is a national organization founded by M.I.T. (Massachusetts Institute of Technology) Mexican-American alumni and friends who are dedicated to the empowerment and advancement of current and aspiring Mexican-American professionals and members of underserved communities.  Through its grass-roots efforts, Avanza stimulates Mexican Americans and underserved communities to achieve full potential by increasing awareness of the transformational power of a college education, increasing college graduation rates for these groups, and emphasizing the benefits of diverse career paths. 

Avanza would like to highlight that MIT, Ivy League universities, and college in general are possibilities within underserved communities, regardless of socio-economic challenges.  In addition to meeting with students and parents, Avanza also plans to meet with local educators and the press to partner in the group’s goal of increasing college attendance and college graduation rates within the Mexican-American and underserved populations, as well as to create awareness of the many sources of financial assistance that are available.  Additional information on similar grass-root outreach efforts, the college application process or other tools for the college bound, please visit www.avanzanetwork.org or follow MIT Avanza on Facebook and LinkedIn. 

Source: Avanza Network

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