Civil Rights and Political Participation

The Fiscal and Economic Impact of State Immigration Control Laws

Michele Waslin

Michele Waslin, Ph.D., is Senior Policy Analyst at the Immigration Policy Center (IPC), a division of the American Immigration Council located in Washington , D.C.   IPC is dedicated to providing factual information about immigration and immigrants in the U.S.   In her capacity, Michele tracks and analyzes immigration policy and the immigration debate, reports on a multitude of immigration-related topics, builds relationships with academics and other authors, provides technical assistance to organizations, conducts public education events, and maintains relationships with a wide array of national, state, and local advocacy organizations as well as federal agencies. Michele has authored several publications on immigration policy and post-9/11 immigration issues and appears regularly in English and Spanish-language media.  Previously she worked as Director of Immigration Policy Research at the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) and Policy Coordinator at the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights.  She received her Ph.D. in 2002 in Government and International Studies from the University of Notre Dame, and holds an M.A. in International Relations from the University of Chicago and a B.A. in Political Science from Creighton University.

Change and Integration

Latino Immigrant Youth: Invisible Facilitators of Integration

Alejandro Morales

Alejandro Morales, Ph.D., is an Assistant Professor of Educational, School, and Counseling Psychology at the University of Missouri and is a Cambio Center Fellow. Dr. Morales conducts qualitative, quantitative, and mixed methods research in the areas of language brokering (i.e., children who translate and interpret) among Latino immigrant families, immigrant LGBT issues in mental health, and applied methodological issues in qualitative and mixed methods research with underserved communities. Dr. Morales received his M.A. and Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln. He holds a B.A. in Psychology from California State University , Dominguez Hills. He was a Psychology Intern at UC-Davis Counseling and Psychological Services where he had the opportunity to provide counseling and psychotherapy to students of color, LGBT students, as well as first generation college students.

Health

Jump into Action! The Need for Active and Healthy Schools

Steve Ball

Dr. Steve Ball is an Associate Professor of Exercise Physiology and State Fitness Specialist with the University of Missouri. He received his undergraduate and Master’s degrees from MU and his Ph.D. in Exercise and Wellness from Arizona State University in 2002.  He is well known for developing physical activity programs for youth such as Jump Into Action, which has reached over 45,000 Missouri youth. He also created the well-known My Activity Pyramid for Kids which has received national and international attention. In addition, he has developed his own video series called Fitness and Wellness for a Lifetime.  He has been a frequent guest on TV and radio programs, including the nationally syndicated Radio Health Journal, and has been quoted in major outlets including the USA Today, Wall Street Journal, and U.S. News and World Report.  He is the recipient of several prestigious awards including the Provost’s Award for Creative Extension Programming by New Faculty (2007), The Donald W. Fancher Provost Award for Outstanding Achievement in Extension and Continuing Education (2010), and the William T. Kemper Fellowship for Teaching Excellence (2012).

Entrepreneurship & Economic Development

Creation and Survivability of Latino/a Business

“Does Formal Institutional Access to Startup Funds Matter to the Survivability of Latina-Owned Firms?”

Rubén O. Martínez

Dr. Rubén O. Martinez is the Director of the Julián Samora Research Institute at Michigan State University . He is a nationally known scholar with expertise in the areas of higher education, race and ethnic relations, and diversity leadership. Among his areas of research focus are leadership and institutional change, education and ethnic minorities, youth development, and environmental justice. Dr. Martinez is the editor of the Latinos in the United States book series by Michigan State University Press. He has co-authored three books: Chicanos in Higher Education (1993), Diversity Leadership in Higher Education (2006), and a Brief History of Cristo Rey Church in Lansing, MI (2011). He has also edited a volume on Latinos in the Midwest (2011).  He is currently working on a volume on Latino/a college presidents and another on the impact of Neoliberalism on Latinos.

“The Experience of Business Development Programs of the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation of Kansas City ”

 Bernardo Ramírez

Bernardo Ramírez is the Executive Director of the Hispanic Economic Development Corporation, Kansas City. He has more than 20 years of experience working in economic development and advocating on behalf of Americans of Hispanic descent. Mr. Ramirez was previously the Deputy Vice President of the National Council of La Raza (NCLR) headquartered in Washington, D.C. He has a background in board and nonprofit management in macro- vs. micro-management, operational programming and budget structures. He has conducted training sessions throughout the United States and in Quito, Ecuador. Mr. Ramirez serves on the local board of directors of the Economic Development Corporation (EDC) in KCMO, United Way of Greater Kansas City Local Operating Board, and the national board of the National Association of Latino Community Asset Builders (NALCAB) in San Antonio, Texas. Mr. Ramirez obtained an M.B.A. from Rockhurst College in Kansas City, MO.

Education

Collaborating to Succeed: Latino Student Success Depends on Us All

Andrew O. Behnke

Andrew O. Behnke, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Human Development and an Extension Specialist at North Carolina State University . He learned Spanish in Mexico 15 years ago and has served the Latino community since that time. Dr. Behnke, in partnership with Cintia Aguilar, developed the “Juntos” program to help Latino families come together to make higher education a reality. He conducts outreach efforts and applied research on academic achievement and parent involvement among Latino families. His life mission is to empower Latino youth to succeed and make a difference in the world.