PRESS RELEASE
183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832
870-584-1124
www.cccua.edu
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: 09 February 2021
CONTACT: Ben Renfrow, Marketing Coordinator
Group photo: (from left to right) America Rojas, Angela Vertiz, Gisselle Gomez, Diana Ramirez, Magdalena Lugo, Kendra Rodriguez, Marisol Gonzalez, Briza Perez, Belen Hernandez, David Serrano, and Vanessa Hernandez. (Not Pictured Cindi Elizondo)
UA Cossatot Creates Leadership Academy
The University of Arkansas Cossatot has received a grant called “Delivering on the Dream” that has been awarded to help the college plan, develop, and create the first-ever UA Cossatot Leadership Academy. The launch of the academy began in November and will conclude in May. Twelve UA Cossatot students were accepted into the leadership academy and will continue to receive leadership training with an emphasis on giving back.
The leadership academy plans to develop Hispanic leaders by working with local and state city officials, health leaders, community leaders, the De Queen/Sevier County Chamber of Commerce, UA Cossatot administration, and the Sevier County Economic Development Director.
The UA Cossatot Leadership Academy is being led by UA Cossatot Center for Student Success Coordinator Erika Buenrrostro and training sessions will continue to be conducted once a month. Each meeting is focused on a particular skill set for the developing leader. Participants are given the opportunity to engage in topics that affect the community, such as education, civil rights, immigration, economics, health, and government.
The training curriculum is designed to teach, network, and engage the student’s views with specific outcomes emphasizing professional and personal growth. Students will be in charge of ongoing projects intended to help expose the student to voluntary public service and personal development.
The twelve students, along with Buenrrostro, have already collaborated and worked with community groups such as “Create Bridges” and “Excel by Eight” to help the children in our community as well as other community projects.
The students who were chosen and accepted into the UA Cossatot Leadership Academy include: America Rojas, Belen Hernandez, Briza Perez, David Serrano, Diana Ramirez, Giselle Gomez, Kendra Rodriguez, Marisol Gonzalez, Vanessa Hernandez, Angela Vertiz, Magdalena Lugo, and Cindi Elizondo.
After training is completed and all program requirements are met, the students will receive a $250 tuition waiver from UA Cossatot. A ceremony will also take place in May, where the students will receive a certificate of completion.
For more information about the UA Cossatot Leadership Academy, please contact Erika Buenrrostro at 870-584-1133.###
University of Arkansas Cossatot is a community college in Southwest Arkansas accredited by the Higher Learning Commission of the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools. Offering technical certification and Associate degrees, UAC also collaborates with other colleges and universities to offer bachelor's degrees on its three campuses. UAC is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Institution in compliance with the Higher Education Act of 1965 and other Civil Rights laws and offers equal opportunity for admission and employment. Employment preference is given to applicants possessing a Career Readiness Certificate (CRC) with all other qualifications being equal. Programs and activities of UAC are provided to all students without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, age, disability, Vietnam era veteran or special disabled veteran status, or sex. Questions or concerns regarding affirmative action can be directed to the Compliance Officer, c/o UA Cossatot, 183 College Drive, De Queen, AR 71832. For Arkansas RELAY Voiced Services call 711 or 800-285-1121. Visit www.cccua.edu for more information.