Hispanic Scholarship Consortium Hosts 2012 HSC Scholar Leadership Conference

AUSTIN, Texas, Aug. 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Over 50 scholarship recipients from throughout Central Texas took part in the Hispanic Scholarship Consortium's "2012 HSC Scholar Leadership Conference," whose theme was "Courage because so much is riding on this" held this past week at various locations throughout Austin.  As one of HSC's signature programs, the annual leadership conference provides the perfect opportunity to welcome this year's 2012-2013 HSC Scholars as they prepare to return to school in the coming weeks. 

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120806/DC51718)

In addition to receiving sizeable and renewable college scholarships of $2,000 or more, HSC offers its scholarship recipients an extensive mentorship program. The leadership sessions include presentations by a network of private, public and community mentors who help empower scholars to graduate from college as workforce ready professionals.

"HSC recognizes the importance of supporting Texas' growing Hispanic college student population through scholarships and mentorship support. HSC's annual leadership conference provides an opportunity to inspire each scholarship recipient to give back to their communities by serving as role models and leaders," said Octavio A. Hinojosa Mier, HSC Executive Director.

Every HSC scholar is expected to commit to 25 or more hours of community service each semester and during the summer.  HSC believes in making each Scholar an integral part of their communities by fostering the importance of civic engagement and leadership through service. The students learn about leadership capacity, effective communication skills, time and financial management, strengthening professional networks and planting the seeds for their own philanthropic giving.  To date, this multi-pronged approach has resulted in over 80 percent of all HSC Scholars completing their four-year degree.

Among the featured speakers who addressed this year's scholars were: San Marcos Mayor and Executive Director of the San Marcos Education Foundation, Daniel Guerrero; Texas State Representatives Marisa Marquez (HD-77) and Naomi Gonzalez (HD-76) both of El Paso, Texas; National Hispanic Institute Founder & CEO and Trustee of Southwestern University, Ernesto Nieto; and Dr. Victoria DeFrancesco Soto, a Fellow at the Center for Politics and Governance at the LBJ School of Public Affairs at UT-Austin and NBCLatino.com contributor.

The sixth annual conference was held at The Seton Healthcare Family facilities, the Texas State Capitol, the University of Texas at Austin, and Applied Materials-Austin. The conference's 2012 corporate sponsors include Worldwide Clinical Trials, Applied Materials Foundation, St. David's Foundation, H-E-B, Treaty Oak Bank, and State Farm Insurance

About The Hispanic Scholarship Consortium

HSC was founded in 2004 as a 501 (c) 3 organization in Austin, TX, as a consortium of dedicated organizations, businesses and individuals to leverage their resources in providing scholarships to area students.  Since its establishment, HSC has awarded nearly $1 million in financial assistance to Texas students, which is augmented by a network of mentors empowering scholars to graduate from college as workforce ready professionals.  Over 80 percent of HSC Scholars complete their four-year degree. For more information about HSC, please visit www.hispanicscholar.org/.

Contact: Estrada Communications Group, 512.335.7776

SOURCE Hispanic Scholarship Consortium