We must promote education for Latinos in the USA to stop the rampant high school drop out rate and ensure a better America since WE AMERICANOS are the fastest growing minority.

1. “Whoare you? YourLife in Others”
How you affect others determinesthe essence ofwhoyou are. Beinga Latino/Hispanic or as I
call it an “Americano” inthe UnitedStates of Americais beingpart of a change in demographics,
politicsand the face of our Nation and therefore our world. Hispanics/Latinosor again as I prefer
“Americanos”;since Americais a Spanish name givenby an Italian conqueror; needto honor,
understandand accept our history to move on into and be able to understand our present and work
effectivelyinourfuture togetherin synergy. We are the heartbeat of America! Beinghere at this
time of transition, demandsa responsibilityofparticipationby all Americanosin everyaspect of our
neighborhoods,schools,cities,counties,statesand Nation. We must provide a helpinghandin this
transition not onlyto other Americanos;but also non-AmericanosAmericans.
I was born in Brooklyn,New York from Americancitizenparents born in Puerto Rico. As the
first generationinmy familyto attend college,educationishigherpriority in my life for me in
America, Latin-Americaand the world. I believe thispassionfor education comes from beingbilingual
and bicultural. Social Scienceshave always beenmy forte and my best grade in elementaryin
AguadillaPuerto Rico as well as inmiddle school inYonkers,New York as well as in high school in New
Bedford,Massachusetts and in college (UniversityofPuertoRico, Aguadilla& EngineeringCollege of
Mayaguez,Reading CommunityCollege,Reading,PA,Kutztown UniversityofPennsylvaniaand finally
MetropolitanUniversityofPuerto Rico, Aguadilla).
In May 1995 I receiveda BSBA in BusinessManagementwith an Emphasis in International
Businessfrom Kutztown UniversityofPennsylvania. In June 1993 I receivedanAAS in Human
Resource Managementfrom Reading Area CommunityCollege.Ialso finishedthe Pre-Engineering
Program withHonors at the UniversityofPuerto Rico in the Aguadillaand the EngineeringCollege of
Mayaguez. I earned100 creditsand finishedone year of BusinessManagementcoursesearning
certificateson academic excellence andextracurricularactivitiesrepresentingthe Regional College of
Aguadillaat the national theater competitionas the lightsand sound technicianwhere we won first
place. My bestexperience atthe UniversityofPuerto Rico was to be a studentguide Counselorfor
new studentsas part of the CounselingDepartment. Back in 1992-93, I was acceptedin several
Universitiestocomplete mybachelors in Electrical Engineeringat the mainlandincluding:PennState,
Parks IllinoisUniversity,FloridaState,UMASS and NortheasternUniversityinBoston, MA. Yet; I
decidedto move to continue my studiespart time while workingfull time withthe familyof my best
high school friend(Peruvianand Puerto Rican) from Massachusettsto theirnew home in
Pennsylvania. The firstday I movedto Reading,PA, I crossed the street and enrolledtofinishmy
associate’sdegree at the local community college. Iworked full time as a banker and at the local mall
to pay for my educationand personal expenseslivingonmy own. Upongraduation my co-workersat
the bank gave me a great farewell since I was hired by Aetna HealthInsurance. They made me wear
hat and celebratedme with presentsand the newsthat four ofthem were going to start college and
thanked me for my constant and “annoyingbutneeded advice onfinishingtheir education”. They
were very honestsince I was the onlymale and Americanoworking at the bank. I endedup working

2. “oncall” for the bank on weekendswhenneeded. Iappliedto Kutztown UniversityofPennsylvania
for my BS part time and after two classes I made the difficultdecisiontotake on several loansto finish
my educationfull time at the age of 23.
Class of 2012- Masters in Adult Education, UMET (Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico)
4.0 GPA Classes Taken: Challenges & Controversies Educating an Adult, Innovations and
Education Challenges, Leadership in Adult Education, Principles and Systematic Approach
Education
1993-1995 Kutztown University of PA Kutztown, PA
B.S.B.A., Business Administration/International Business Management Emphasis
*Received the Alumni Service Award 1995
International Students Organization- President, Latino Student Association- Vice President, Student
Mentor for the Academic Alliance for the Retention of Minority Students, International Business
Club, Represented the University at the: Philadelphia Puerto Rican Parade & The Latinos in
Pennsylvania Conference 1995. My Graduation Story was featured in the Reading Eagle
Newspaper on Graduation Date!
*Senior year Internship: Translator for a Minority Business Development Center & Entrepreneurial
Development & Global Education Center (The Center received White House and Presidential
recognition in Spring 1995/Finalist for a United Nations Educational Award in Spring 1995). I
helped three clients develop business plans and marketing strategies: grocery store future owner, a
restaurant owner and shoe-store owner/designer.
Senior Year Part Time Job- Boy Scouts of America Cub Master/Program Assistant - Coordinated
a National Pilot Program with inner city kids in three Public Elementary Schools in Reading, PA
(1995). I served as a BSA Career Day Speaker at Reading High School & at PEPP Summer
Youth Leadership Program at Penn State Berks (1995-96).
1992-1993 Reading Area Community College Reading, PA- A.A.S., Human Resource
Management- Worked as a Full Time Bank Teller and part time at the Mall while attending school.
1988-1992 University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla & Mayagüez Campuses, PR
Finished Pre-Engineering Program & One Year of Business Management (100 credits)
*Received G.P.A. Honors & Extracurricular Certificate (Community Colleges Drama Competition
First Prize for La Cantante Calva Theater 88 Club acting at Rio Piedras and Carolina Campuses)
1986-88 New Bedford High School, New Bedford, MA - (Honors), Scholarship from the Spanish
American Club
1983-86- Escuela Superior José de Diego, Aguadilla- Honores & Obtuve un 98% en primera
versión de Prueba Puertorriqueña. Honors & Received a visit from the Department of Education for
my 98% in the first PRCAT tryout in 1986.

3. 1982- Longfellow Middle School, Yonkers, New York- Received The Most Outstanding Graduate
Trophy, Physical Education Class Trophy, High Honors with certificates in: English As a Second
Language, English, Science, Math & Social Studies.
1979- Eladio J. Vega, Escuela Elementaria Highest GPA- Yearly Scholarship by Commonwealth
of Puerto Rico for uniform expenses because of my High Honors GPA. I received Certificates from
the Department of Education, Department of Public Housing and The Police Athletic League
(Sergeant).