What is Latino Exploration Day?

Latino Student Exploration Day is our chance to show you all we have to offer. It’s your chance to learn more about Ä¢¹½tv and the many opportunities that college can provide. It’s a day where Latino students can immerse themselves in our campus.

Meet with faculty, staff, and current students, all while taking in the college atmosphere. Envision yourself in our academic spaces and learn about the admissions process that’ll get you there.

What You’ll Do at Latino Exploration Day

  • Get information on admission to Ä¢¹½tv, financial aid, and campus life.
  • Talk with current Ä¢¹½tv students, faculty, and staff.
  • Participate in various fun activities.
  • Sit in on informational sessions.
  • Explore our beautiful campus in person.
  • Learn about scholarship opportunities and eligibility.

*LED is an overnight program that will require you to fill out permission forms which will be provided to you by the coordinator/guidance counselors of your participating school or organization.

 

Interested in Learning More About the Upcoming LED?

  • For more information, please contact Kevin Figueroa Quiñones:
    Email - figueroa@iup.edu
    Phone - 724-357-3142
  • Latino Student Exploration Day is supported by Ä¢¹½tv’s Latino Student Organization (LaSO) and Ä¢¹½tv’s Office of Admissions.

Interested in Scholarship Opportunities?

Join a Group on Campus and Build Your Campus Community

Learn more about our:

Juan Gonzalez

Professors, Student Organizations Make Ä¢¹½tv Home Away from Home

“Over the last few years, I have realized that Ä¢¹½tv is truly my home far away from home. I am a Crimson Hawk at heart. Everything, from the professors who teach us to the many organizations on campus, has made my time at Ä¢¹½tv unforgettable. I have grown tremendously and that is thanks to everything Ä¢¹½tv has offered me.”

Alumnus: Juan Gonzalez, Accounting and Management Information Systems (MIS) double major, Promising Scholar, Eberly Business Honors Program, Latino Student Organization (former vice president), National Association of Black Accountants (former secretary), Student Accounting Association

Want to Hear from Others?

Open up each story to hear their first-hand accounts of coming to Ä¢¹½tv and the Latino Exploration Day event.

The Garage Community and Youth Center: Lizette Herrera

“The Latino Exploration Day at Ä¢¹½tv was an incredible experience for our first-generation students, providing them with a unique opportunity to immerse themselves in college life. Throughout the day, students were able to explore the campus, engage with current university students and staff, and learn about academic programs and resources available to support their success. For many, this was their first time stepping onto a college campus, allowing them to envision themselves as future college students. The event was both inspiring and empowering, as it gave our students valuable insights into the college experience and the confidence to pursue higher education.”

MILPA: Desi Burnette

“This year was MILPA’s (Movement of Immigrant Leaders in PA) first time participating in the Latino Exploration Program at Ä¢¹½tv, and we are incredibly grateful for the opportunity. The program helped students from our Youth Committee better understand and prepare for the college application process. Having Latino university students and faculty who could connect with our high school students gave them the confidence to see that higher education is possible for families like ours. It also got them excited about the possibility of being part of the learning community at Ä¢¹½tv. The program was not only informative but also so much fun, and we will definitely be back in future years!”

Faculty: Dr. Vicky Ortiz Juarez Paz

“Ä¢¹½tv's Latino Exploration Day was a huge success! Being a part of Ä¢¹½tv's Latino Exploration Day was so much fun! There have been hundreds of students from all over the world on our campus to explore all that we have to offer. The students were engaged with faculty and presenters throughout the university. As a faculty member and Latina myself, it was awesome to get to meet and interact with students with similar backgrounds.“

Alumni: Juan Gonzalez, Accounting and Management Information Systems

“Over the last few years, I have realized that Ä¢¹½tv is truly my home far away from home. I am a Crimson Hawk at heart. Everything, from the professors who teach us to the many organizations on campus, has made my time at Ä¢¹½tv unforgettable. I have grown tremendously and that is thanks to everything Ä¢¹½tv has offered me.

“Although many might not like it, accounting was definitely the major that spoke to me. I took four years of it in high school and fell in love with it. I continued to learn more about it at Ä¢¹½tv, thanks to the tremendous professors at Eberly and the Business Honors program. The Business Honors program has provided me with many amazing opportunities to network, as well as a cohort that feels like a family to me. While studying accounting, I became interested in the technology that is used in the field and quickly realized that it is an essential skill that I could pick up during my time at Ä¢¹½tv. With this realization, I asked around Eberly and stumbled upon Management Information Systems (MIS). I added it as a second major, and, with this, I got my Certified Public Accountant (CPA) certification.

“Besides being heavily involved in my coursework, I tried to be heavily involved outside the classroom. I got involved with the Latino Student Organization (LaSO) on campus my freshman year, and I was the vice president of the organization. We’re always working on finding ways to have more Latinx students involved on campus and promoting cultural awareness at Ä¢¹½tv while working with other student organizations. Other organizations I have been getting involved with included the Student Accounting Association (SAA), which has provided many opportunities for business majors like me, the National Association of Black Accountants (NABA), whose goal is similar to that of the SAA while helping underrepresented groups on campus. I also participated in ROTC, which has taught me much discipline, taught me the importance of teamwork, and provided me with some unforgettable friends and memories.

“At Ä¢¹½tv, the possibilities are endless. However, you decide your path and what your future will be. You must always seek opportunities and put in the work, rather than do the bare minimum to get by. Learn outside of the classroom; self-education can get you places you never thought of. Get to know your professors, as they all can provide you with wisdom and opportunities. An accounting professor of mine presented me with an opportunity to intern at a firm I dreamt of working for, so I seized the opportunity, and I am forever grateful. I am grateful for the opportunities, memories, and friendships Ä¢¹½tv has provided me with. I strive to become a better person each day, and I hope to be able to help others along the way.”

LaSO President: Jovana Peregrina

“Walking into my first LED event felt like stepping into the unknown. I wasn’t quite sure what to expect, but I was driven by a real desire to make students feel welcome and supported. I wanted to give them a clear picture of what college life is all about, the challenges, as well as the incredible opportunities that are out there. I genuinely believe LED is a fantastic resource, especially for Latino students. It gives them a chance to see firsthand that there’s a strong and welcoming Latino community here. It’s also about being honest about the experience at a PWI but emphasizing that no matter where they go, they’ll likely find a Latino student group ready to connect. Here at Ä¢¹½tv, LED offers that connection right from the start, linking students with our Latino student organization, also known as LaSO. They get to meet other students who understand where they’re coming from and who’ve maybe faced similar issues. It’s a powerful reminder that we’re all in this together, supporting each other along the way.”

Monserrat Lopez Villagomez: Political Science/Pre-Law

“When I first arrived at Ä¢¹½tv (Ä¢¹½tv), I was filled with mixed emotions and uncertainty. My introduction to Ä¢¹½tv came through Latino Exploration Day (LED), a program that provided me with invaluable insights into the campus life and community. Although I came without specific expectations, I quickly learned so much from the students already enrolled. Their strong connection with the school, each other, and the broader Latino community was evident and inspiring.

“The Ä¢¹½tv community, along with the support from various student organizations like the Latino Student Organization, played a crucial role in helping me feel at home. This sense of belonging and the reassurance from my peers and mentors gave me the confidence to embrace my college experience fully. It was within this nurturing environment that I found the courage to take on leadership roles. This opportunity allowed me to contribute to the community that had welcomed me and to help others find their place at Ä¢¹½tv.

“Ä¢¹½tv has been a place where I have flourished both personally and professionally. I have been able to step out of my comfort zone, challenge myself, and grow with the guidance of mentors and the support of peers who share similar experiences. While the journey may be challenging, there are ample resources, mentors, and supportive peers at Ä¢¹½tv who are ready to guide and assist. I hope to play a role in helping others navigate their paths, just as I was helped along mine.”