Past Hispanic leaders are passing the torch to the next generation. "You are gonna see a younger group come out as leaders," Hispanic Leadership Ambassador Michael Reyes predicted.
"It just sounded like a good idea to grow professionally and do networking, and learn more leadership roles," added Ambassador Miranda Garcia.
Reyes of Carrollton and Garcia of Saginaw are two of the 11 newly-crowned ambassadors. They received their training at the very first Great Lakes Bay Hispanic Leadership Institute, or GLBHLI, at SVSU.
"I remember at the first meeting, we didn't know each other. Now we are best friends," Reyes said.
"We hope the training they have learned, the collaboration and networking skills they have learned, will allow them to reach out to other Hispanics," said SVSU's Mamie Thorns.
Attendees of the year-long course met once a month, focusing on three main areas: community service, career planning and identifying individuals talents.
"The Hispanic population is so big, but I think our leadership roles are underrepresented. I think it's important to step into those positions to help our community," Garcia said.
Kathleen Chantaca of Saginaw works for the university. She was also honored with the Guadalupe Gomez Leadership and Community Service Award. "Everybody has to give back to their community. I think this program is great so that we can become role models for other Hispanics. I'm sure you will see our face in the community."
The next class at the Hispanic Leadership Institute begins training in March.
