Latina Youth Leadership Conference
About Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
UNC Multicultural Greek Organization Webpage
More About the Conference
The Latina Youth Leadership Conference was created in Greeley by Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. and the César Chávez Cultural Center at the University of Northern Colorado. Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, is an organization that stands by three pillars: academic excellence, community service and sisterhood. As members of Lambda Theta Nu, we believe in promoting the advancement of Latinas through higher education. Fortunately, there has been an increase in the number of Latinas that are enrolled at a post-secondary institution like a college or university. The lack of Latinas attending a higher education institution inspired our founding sisters to host a conference where the opportunity of pursuing higher education is presented to a group of young Latinas. With help from the César Chávez Cultural Center, the Latina Youth Leadership Conference (LYLC) started in the spring of 1997 to inspire students through an educational journey based on four themed workshops: leadership, education, self-esteem and cultural awareness. Even though the conference is focused on 8th grade Latina students; all 8th grade students who are interested in coming are welcome.
The overall mission of LYLC is to culturally affirm the importance of education.
Three objectives were created to uphold such purpose.
1. To motivate young students to excel through high school with a powerful message about the choices that will facilitate accessibility to better resources.
2. To give middle school students the opportunity to visit the University of Northern Colorado (UNC) in hopes they will attend an institution in higher educational.
3. To give UNC students an opportunity to positively influence their community while enhancing their college experience.
LYLC is a day long conference in which begins with a keynote speaker, and transitions into four themed workshops as the day progresses. UNC students are assigned groups of 8th grade students whom they will mentor throughout the day. This conference has served over 8,000 students to this day. Every year students go back home determined to attend a college, or four-year university and have the work ethic to do so.
Special Thanks
For the purpose of context, the communication below has been maintained to provide context of years past and years to follow.
Dear School/Organizations Representative,
Thank you for your interest in the annual Latina Youth Leadership Conference. This conference is a collaborative effort between the Kappa Chapter of Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc. and the César Chávez Cultural Center at the University of Northern Colorado. Since the first conference in 1997, the conference speakers and facilitators have impacted over 8,000+ young women. Our goal is to empower young women to make positive choices, plan for their future education, and inspire those who may be having difficulties with grades, truancy or lack of motivation in school.
This conference includes four interactive workshops that focuses on the following: cultural awareness, positive self image, leadership and education. In years past, the workshop focusing on cultural awareness will spotlight Latinx culture and Mexican American issues while also addressing other minority communities. The educational workshop has previously consisted of a panel featuring high school and college students, along with professionals from the higher education community; this provides attendees with the opportunity to ask questions they may have for the future. The last two workshops will focus on leadership and positive self image.
As in previous years, we are asking that your school will appoint a school contact that will recruit students who will benefit from this conference. The program representative would need to submit our online registration submission including participants’ names and payment information. This year participant registration fee is $7 per student from the Weld County Schools District. $10 for all other school district students. Due to limited resources and space, the conference is cap at 250 participants at a first-come-first-serve-registration basis.
The conference features prominent Latina guest speakers, educational breakout sessions, a continental breakfast, and lunch. For more information and registration procedures about the conference please see links at the top of the webpage. We hope you find this conference a great investment in your students’ education. If you have any questions or concerns, please feel free to contact us.
Thank you,
Latina Youth Leadership Conference Planning Committee
Lambda Theta Nu Sorority, Inc.
Kappa Chapter
Elena Schleuger
Latina Youth Leadership Conference Director
kappa.lylc86@gmail.com
César Chávez Cultural Center
Joél Orozco Almeida
Associate Director
970-351-4306
chavezcenter@unco.edu
