2nd annual event to be held virtually April 17
AVONDALE, ARIZONA, April 14 – Estrella Mountain Community College (EMCC) invites the public to its second annual Educational Empowerment Conference. The event, held virtually on April 17, is designed to connect students, community members, and their families with resources and empowerment to pursue their educational goals.
“We want to especially welcome students and families of undocumented/DACAmented and mixed-status from around the Valley to celebrate their unique identities and find paths to pursue their education,” event organizers said.
Conference topics include “Developing Your Identity,” “Getting started at EMCC and Maricopa Community Colleges,” “Immigrant Scholarship Hustle” “Income Opportunities for Students of Undocumented/DACAmented Status,” and “Community Highlight — Meet with Local Organizations.”
Date/Time: 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. April 17
Location: Virtual
Omar Romandia, former Student Services Specialist - Recruitment at EMCC, is the keynote speaker. Romandia, who was himself an undocumented high school student, was the driving force behind the inaugural event last year.
“About 2,000 undocumented students graduate from Arizona high schools every year,” he said at the time. “In 2010, I was part of that statistic and felt defeated by a lack of guidance in my attempt to pursue higher education.”
Romandia is currently working toward his doctorate at the University of Connecticut. His research involves analyzing policies that promote access to higher education for all students and help build human capital.
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Estrella Mountain Community College is one of the ten colleges in the Maricopa County Community College District, one of the largest community college districts in the nation. EMCC offers academic courses leading to associate degrees, university transfer, certificates, and short-term job training to more than 14,000 students annually. The flagship campus is located on Thomas and Dysart roads in Avondale. Classes are also offered online and at the EMCC @ West-MEC Southwest Campus at 500 N. Verrado Way, Buckeye.