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CSB Student Selected for Latinas Learning to Lead Youth Institute

June  27, 2006

As a first-generation college student at the College of Saint Benedict, Raquel Gudiel hopes to be a leader and mentor within the Latino community.

“I want to learn what it takes to make a community such as the Latino community thrive and move out of the bottom of the social economical ladder,” Gudiel said.

She’ll get that chance. Gudiel, who will be a sophomore at the College of Saint Benedict this fall, is one of 22 Latina college students selected to participate in the 2006 Latinas Learning to Lead Youth Institute July 16-22 at George Mason University in Fairfax, Va.

The institute’s purpose is to train the next generation of Latina leaders and combines leadership training with technical and practical experience. It also focuses on personal and career planning, health and well-being, entrepreneurship and leadership skills.

“I am not going to lie, it was overwhelming (to receive the acceptance letter),” Gudiel said. “When I opened the letter, I didn’t expect the ‘Congratulations/Felicidades’ on the top. I felt honored that the committee thought I had what it took to lead my community forward.

“It sure made my week,” she added.

Gudiel, a graduate of Bell High School in Los Angeles who has an individualized major (Latino/a American studies) at CSB, said she expects the institute to “be as rigorous as it sounds. I want to be challenged. I want to be forced to think about my community, my identity, my future endeavors.”

She said she also hopes to “gain more insight” on what it means to be a Latina leader.

Gudiel has a perfect opportunity to practice what she learns. She serves as a site coordinator with the Fast Forward Youth Program, a tutoring and mentoring program for Latino/a youth in central Minnesota.

The Fast Forward Youth Program is part of the Latino/a Student Outreach Program at CSB and Saint John’s University. The goal of the program is to increase the college participation rate of Latino/a students by aiding the students in becoming successful in junior high and high school and helping them explore post-secondary educational opportunities.

As a site coordinator, Gudiel, in collaboration with her co-workers, is responsible for coordinating all of the activities that take place in preparation for and during Fast Forward Youth Program sessions at Willmar Junior High School, Monticello High School and St. Cloud North Junior High School. The program serves approximately 80 students.           

“There are not many first-year students who are offered these supervisory positions with Fast Forward, but I was most impressed with Raquel’s leadership experience, drive to succeed, quest for social justice and desire to make a difference in the lives of other Latino/a youth,” said Erin Truhler, director of the Fast Forward Youth Program.

“She does an excellent job of putting what she learns into action, so I fully expect that she will bring her experience at the conference back to our program. She’s not afraid to offer suggestions, challenge the status quo and try out new ideas,” Truhler added.

“I have a wonderful opportunity to work with the future Latino community,” Gudiel said. “I can incorporate what I learn into activities that can only benefit them and their leadership skills.”

Gudiel is also a fellow in the Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development program at CSB/SJU, which began in September 2005. The Program provides scholarships to reduce or eliminate loans for low-income, first-generation college students. In addition, academic, social and leadership guidance is given to students.           

“Not only did the Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development program give me an opportunity to have a solid base of friends going into my first year, but the  program does a good job in finding, funding and creating events, internships, institutes and opportunities that us – as first-generation students – would otherwise not have the resources to find them,” said Gudiel, a first-generation college student.

“The program has allowed me to lead my community. Having a supportive steering committee and fellow members is my drive to achieve success,” Gudiel said.

Theresa Anderson, an academic advisor who advises multicultural students at CSB/SJU and a member of Intercultural Leadership, Education and Development Steering Committee, noted that five Hispanic students from Bell High School will attend CSB next year – students who will undoubtedly look to Gudiel for mentoring and guidance.

“She (Gudiel) wants to be in position where she is leading Hispanic students,” Anderson said. “From the moment she landed on campus, she has been a student that actively seeks responsibility and places where she can be a mentor and make a difference.

“That’s not surprising, because (leadership) seems to be part of her personality,” Anderson added.

Gudiel is also involved with promoting interculturalism and social justice on campus, including the Student Coalition for Global Solidarity, the Social Justice Community in her residence hall and the WorldStar program. She also ran for the Cultural Affairs Board representative with the CSB Student Senate last spring.