News Summary
Vanguard University in Costa Mesa held a graduation ceremony for 37 Latino students who completed the Leadership and Latina/o Identity course. President Michael Beals highlighted the demographic shift at the university, with nearly half of its students identifying as Latino. The program’s focus is on developing leadership traits in Latino students, empowering them to embrace their cultural identity while paving the way for future leadership roles.
Vanguard University in Costa Mesa celebrated the graduation of 37 first-year and transfer Latino students from its six-week Leadership and Latina/o Identity course. The completion ceremony featured remarks from President Michael Beals, who expressed his vision for the university’s future leadership landscape, highlighting the likelihood of a Latino or Latina president within the next two presidential terms.
Beals’ assertion underscores a significant demographic shift at Vanguard University, where approximately 47% of students identify as Latino. This figure illustrates that Latino students represent the majority demographic on campus, a noteworthy contrast to the historical leadership of the institution, where out of ten past university presidents, nine have been men and one woman, all of whom were white.
During the completion ceremony, attended by members of the family of Dr. Jesse Miranda, a respected leader in the Hispanic Evangelical movement who passed away in 2019, students received crew-neck sweatshirts and laptop sleeves as graduation gifts. The program’s director, Celina Canales, expressed her commitment to expanding the Leadership and Latina/o Identity program to include credited courses, aiming to embed leadership training throughout students’ college experiences.
Amid the atmosphere of celebration, graduate Benito De La Rosa discussed the importance of self-leadership, while third-year student Emiliano Sosa, a former participant in the program, shared insights from his involvement in leadership roles within the Intercultural Student Programs. Their experiences reflect the program’s focus on developing key leadership traits among Latino students, which include topics such as cultural identity, self-awareness, emotional intelligence, and mentorship.
Beals has been president of Vanguard since 2013 and plans to continue leading the university for several more years. Under his leadership, the institution continues to strive towards inclusivity and representation. Canales aims to develop a comprehensive leadership curriculum that allows students to build their skills progressively throughout their time at the university. A priority is to ensure that Latino students feel “right-sized” in leadership situations, empowering them to navigate these environments with confidence in their identities and value.
Nationwide, around 25% of first-generation college students identify as Latino, emphasizing the importance of educational institutions like Vanguard University in fostering leadership potential among this demographic. The ongoing transition of the Leadership and Latina/o Identity program from a voluntary offering with chapel credit to a system providing academic credit signals a commitment to enhancing the educational experience for students of Latino heritage.
The culmination of this six-week course not only marks an academic achievement for the students involved but also signifies a cultural moment of importance within the context of Vanguard University and the broader educational landscape. The partnership with keynote speaker Dr. Michael Jimenez, who collaborated with students on research regarding Dr. Miranda’s impact, reinforces the program’s commitment to honoring cultural heritage while preparing students to take on leadership roles in the future.
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Additional Resources
- Los Angeles Times: Vanguard University Trains Next Generation of Latina/o Leaders
- PR Newswire: Vanguard University Announces Naming of Patty Arvielo School of Business
- Los Angeles Times: Commentary on Jesse Miranda’s Impact
- AL DÍA News: Latina Role Models in Business
- Newport Beach Independent: Immigrant Mother Inspires Successful Latina Business Owner
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