News Summary
Vanguard University held a ceremony for 37 students completing its Leadership and Latina/o Identity course aimed at empowering Latino individuals. President Michael Beals emphasized diversity in leadership roles, predicting a future Latino president. The program, directed by Celina Canales, focuses on enhancing leadership skills and cultural identity among students, aligning with the growing Latino demographic at the university. Graduates received gifts symbolizing their achievements, and plans to expand the program into a credit-bearing course are underway.
Costa Mesa, California – Vanguard University recently celebrated the successful completion of its Leadership and Latina/o Identity course, an initiative aimed at empowering Latino students. The ceremony recognized 37 first-year and transfer students who participated in the six-week program, which is designed to enhance leadership skills and cultural identity.
During the event, Vanguard University President Michael Beals delivered remarks emphasizing the importance of diversity in leadership roles. He noted that currently displayed portraits of past university presidents include nine men and one woman, all of whom are white. Beals expressed his belief that the university’s next president will be a Latino or Latina leader, likely within two presidential successions, reflecting the changing demographics of the institution.
Notably, approximately 47% of Vanguard students identify as being of Latino heritage, making it the largest demographic group on campus. This aligns with national trends indicating that about one-quarter of first-generation college students in the United States are Latino, emphasizing the critical need for targeted support in higher education.
Program Leadership and Development
Since August, Celina Canales has served as the director of the Jesse Miranda Center for Hispanic Leadership. She succeeded Norlan Hernandez and has been influenced by the legacy of Dr. Jesse Miranda, a prominent figure in the Hispanic Evangelical movement who passed away in 2019. Family members of Dr. Miranda were present at the ceremony to honor the contributions of the students and to celebrate the center’s ongoing mission.
As part of the completion ceremony, graduates received token gifts such as crew-neck sweatshirts and laptop sleeves, symbolizing their achievement and commitment to leadership development. Students like Benito De La Rosa, who commutes from Riverside, recognized the significance of self-leadership as a foundation for inspiring others. Meanwhile, Emiliano Sosa, a third-year student and veteran of the program, highlighted how the course has shaped his understanding of leadership and cultural identity.
Future of the Program
Dr. Michael Jimenez, an associate professor at Vanguard, served as the keynote speaker and reflected on Dr. Miranda’s influential life as part of the university’s Summer Undergraduate Research Program. The Leadership and Latina/o Identity program is set to expand, with plans to potentially transform it into a credit-bearing course in the future. Canales seeks to incorporate a variety of educational topics, including cultural identity, emotional intelligence, and mentorship, into forthcoming sessions. This approach aims to scaffold students’ leadership development from personal to organizational levels throughout their college experience.
Canales highlighted the importance of helping Latino students gain confidence in their identities and abilities. The concept of “right-sized” leadership was introduced as a way for students to embrace their authentic selves across different settings, thereby enriching their personal and professional interactions.
The growth of these empowered students may contribute to the potential future of having a Latino president at Vanguard University. As the institution continues to evolve, it remains committed to fostering an environment where diversity and representation are prioritized, ensuring that all students have the opportunity to thrive and shape the leadership landscape of tomorrow.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard University Trains Next Generation of Latina/o Leaders
- Wikipedia: Higher Education in the United States
- HousingWire: 2025 Woman of Influence Patty Arvielo
- Google Search: Leadership Development Programs
- Newport Beach Indy: Local Immigrant Mother Inspires
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Leadership
- Diverse: Report on Latino Undergrads
- Google Scholar: Latino Leadership in Education
- OC Register: Status Update on Laguna Arts Museum
- Google News: Latino Students in Higher Education
Author: STAFF HERE HUNTINGTON BEACH
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