Wednesday, March 9, 2016

Enrique Figueroa Stepping Down As Director Of The Roberto Hernández Center At UWM

Figueroa says he will remain as a faculty member at the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee.

By H. Nelson Goodson
Hispanic News Network U.S.A.

March 9, 2016

Milwaukee, WI - On Wednesday, Enrique Figueroa, Ph.D. confirmed that he is stepping down as the Director of the Roberto Hernández Center (RHC), according to an e-mail blast sent to the Hispanic community leadership and former University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee (UWM) students and alumni. Figueroa was first hired as the director of the RHC in 2002. 
Figueroa in his e-mail wrote, "...I am stepping down as the Director of the Roberto Hernandez Center [RHC], effective 8/21/'16.
"I will communicate with you further and in more detail later on, but for now, I simply want to thank ALL of you for the support you have offered me."
UWM will now start a search for a new director to replace Dr. Figueroa, according to Johannes Britz, the Provost and Vice Chancellor for Academic Affairs at UWM. Britz had announced previously that Dr. Figueroa was stepping down. Britz wrote in an e-mail to UWM faculty members, " Enrique E. Figueroa, Ph.D. will be stepping down from his position as Director of the Roberto Hernandez Center (RHC), effective as of August 21, 2016. He has ably served as Director since January, 2002. He will continue to serve as a faculty member in the Department of Urban Planning.
I've asked Enrique to briefly reflect on his fourteen years as RHC's Director:

"I want to thank everyone who has afforded me support, friendship, and trust during my tenure as director. During that period the RHC has advanced its mission through the following activities:

● Growth in scholarships: The RHC Latino Scholarship Endowed Fund now has $136,637, which reflects the $128,027 raised through our Annual PALM (Promoting Academics in Latino Milwaukee) Scholarship Fundraisers since I became Director.

● Classroom instruction: I've taught Introduction to Latino Studies (LS 101) every semester since fall 2006—858 students have taken the class over that period.

● Launch of the Latino Nonprofit Leadership Program: The program has produced 188 alumni, including many in currently prominent professional/leadership positions. 

● Events: I've enjoyed planning and attending wonderful events that support and recognize our Latino students, including 13 Hispanic Heritage Month programs, 12 Cinco de Mayo Week programs, and 9 UWM Latino Graduation Banquets.

● I have been honored with a number of recognitions/honors, including the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, my undergraduate alma mater, and the Green Bay Packers.

"I leave the directorship with fond memories and a sense of accomplishment in in a multitude of areas, be they on or off campus. I look forward to my continued involvement with the RHC through the end of August and thereafter as a faculty member in the Department of Urban Planning."

The actual creation of the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute (SSOI), which later became the Roberto Hernández Center at link http://bit.ly/1hgQkaB


Actual news video, including the Roberto Hernández Center story at link http://tinyurl.com/3e6odcb

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