In Monday's lecture, "Benefits and importance of education for the Latin community," Miriam Cruz, former Deputy Assistant to President Carter for Hispanic Affairs, outlined a successful career for young Latinos.

Through examples of work she has done over the years, Cruz stressed the need for Latinos to go to college in order reach success. Cruz, who was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico and attended college in both the United States and Puerto Rico, started working with children in Chicago. She noticed a trend among those kids she helped — they wanted to disassociate themselves from their culture and home life.

"A young man said to me `I don't like rice and beans,' but times have past. But you know what hasn't changed, a college education can go far," said Cruz.

Giving full emphasis to the benefits of a college education for young Latinos, especially women, Cruz discussed how to bridge the divide between Spanish speaking parents and their children. Cruz spoke to a concern in the Latino community: that some parents do not see a difference between their children going away and staying at home and working.

Cruz said that for women in the Latino community leaving home only happens once they are married. However, because she sees businesses like Motorola expanding into Latin countries, Spanish and multicultural peoples have an opportunity to thrive in today's economy.

"What do you think [companies] need? Bilingual and multicultural people that understand the needs of the area," Cruz said

To get Spanish speaking parents to understand the connection between college and success, Cruz provided a solution. The answer rersts in community involvement within the realm mentoring.

"We need to have more parents from the community get involved to help parents understand," said Cruz.

With parent involvement from the community Cruz hopes that other mentoring and programming for the young Latino community will flourish.

• Saint Mary's names commencement speaker
  
• Board creates focus groups on women's issues, concerns
  
• Cruz urges Latinos to pursue college degrees