Are you interested in making a difference in the lives of Latinos within the Commonwealth of Virginia? We invite you to become a member of the Virginia Latino Higher Education Network (VALHEN).
The mission of VALHEN is to support, promote, and advocate for Latino success and advancement in higher education, for the benefit and betterment of the Commonwealth of Virginia.
Our Goals
- Establish a network of Latino and non-Latino faculty and administrators in public and private colleges, universities and community colleges who can also serve as mentors and role models to our Latino students;
- Work with community partners to build outreach programs which will address Latino issues and barriers to higher education and promote participation;
- Work with our higher education institutions to improve access and retention for Latino students, increase the numbers of Latino faculty and staff, and create campus climates which are nurturing and culturally sensitive;
- Conduct research on Virginia’s Latino population and education;
- Work with funding partners to establish scholarships and programs which will promote educational opportunities for Latino students;
- Work with policy makers to advocate for programs and policies, both at the state and institutional levels, which will facilitate access and promote success; and
- Disseminate information about relevant educational issues affecting the Latino community in the Commonwealth via a Listserv and Website.
Membership Benefits Include
Network of Peers
- Members tell us the chance to network with other members is one of their most prized benefits! The VALHEN Listserv allows members to bounce ideas off one another, learn about possible job opportunities, hear about new reports, projects and initiatives, and share information about new software or tools. And our yearly Encuentro allows our members to meet face-to-face with other members and participate in presentations and workshops all built around the theme of Latinos and Higher Education.
Recognition for Your Work
- VALHEN’s innovative Lecture Series (planned to start Fall 2010) will feature the research and work of our members. Lectures will rotate among our institutions, will be free of charge, and open to the public. Participation in this unique program benefits not only the presenters but also those who attend the lectures. The program was piloted with an inaugural lecture at the University of Richmond this past fall. This effort is a win for everyone!
Free Membership in the Virginia Credit Union
- The Virginia Credit Union (www.vacu.org) has designated VALHEN as one of its Eligible Companies and Groups.
- Join the Virginia Credit Union and enjoy the benefits of membership.
- Open your VACU membership with a $5 deposit. To join, go to http://www.vacu.org/About_VACU/Membership/How_to_Join.aspx
Complimentary Subscriptions
- Each member will receive a one-year subscription of Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education (http://www.hispanicoutlook.com/index.htm).
- Each member will receive a one-year digital subscription of Diverse Issues in Higher Education (http://diverseeducation.com).
Develop and Grow Our Scholarship Process
- One of VALHEN’s priorities has been to establish a Scholarship for deserving students of Latino origin who are either graduating from high school or already in the first three years of college. This process, led by our Scholarship Chair, is coordinated by our volunteer members who read all applications and make the selection. As VALHEN grows, the goal is to increase the monetary amount as well as the number of future scholarships.
Design and Deliver Our Outreach Activities
- One aspect of VALHEN’s three-sided mission focuses on members performing Outreach efforts designed to improve access to higher education for our Latino students. The organization expects to begin modest outreach activities during 2010—wait for news and plan to get involved!!
Enjoy These Future Membership Benefits
- VALHEN’s Hall of Fame—a section of our website where members’ outstanding work can be featured via a photo and an essay.
- Membership Discounts—VALHEN will continue to search for additional special offers to our members by other organizations and businesses.
- VALHEN Educational Research—members will be encouraged to join forces to seek research opportunities to shed light on our Latino population in the Commonwealth.
Volunteer and Get Involved
VALHEN offers you the opportunity to get involved and to give back! Do you remember when someone helped you or mentored you, thus enabling you to get a college education or to advance in your career?
Well—here is your chance to do that for someone else! You can—as they say—pay it forward. Get involved; VALHEN is a volunteer organization and there is room for everyone to help and give.
And this, indeed, may be the most important benefit of all!!