The Organization of Latino Americans (OLA) at the University of North Dakota (UND) is hosting a weeklong event titled “Bridging Gaps in a Colorful Nation” in celebration of Hispanic Heritage Month.  “Bridging Gaps” runs Tuesday, October 13 through Saturday October 17.  See schedule below.

Highlights of the week include workshops on diversity by guest speaker Dr. Julia So of Albuquerque, New Mexico, and a Latin American Banquet with traditionally prepared Mexican tamales. A Latino Dance Fiesta hosted in part by Nightlife follows the banquet.
 
As the principal of So Garcia Associates, So has been speaking to national audiences on diversity and inclusion, leadership and change, and Asian and Latino cultures for over two decades. An immigrant of Chinese parents, she moved to the U.S. in 1980. She worked for an international airline for over a decade and resided in Japan and Ecuador. This background contributes to her familiarity with three Chinese dialects, Spanish and Japanese, as well as her understanding of Asian and Latino cultures. She also specializes in diversity training, strategic planning, research and data analysis, and program evaluation.

While living in Dallas, Texas, So successfully managed a $30-million scholarship program for the Dallas County Community College District. A dedicated community leader, she has been a member of numerous local and national boards. She has served as chair of the Greater Dallas Asian American Chamber of Commerce, president of the North Texas Chapter of the Texas Diversity Council, national board secretary of the Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education and treasurer of the National Speakers Association of New Mexico. Currently, she serves as community advisor for the National Diversity Council.

So’s recent public recognition includes the 2008 Civil Servants Award of the Asian American Citizens Council in Dallas, the 2007 Distinguished Alumni Award of Tarrant County College in Fort Worth, the 2006 National Institutional Excellence Award of the National Organization of Chinese Americans, and the 2005 Administrator Award from the Dallas County Community College District.

Certified in nonprofit management, So received her B.A. and M.A. in Sociology from the University of Texas in Arlington, and Ph.D. in Public Policy and Political Economy from the University of Texas at Dallas. She resides in Albuquerque, New Mexico and serves as president-elect of the National Speakers Association of New Mexico.

OLA is a recently revamped student group through the Office of Multicultural Student Services. It provides camaraderie and support for Hispanic students on campus. The group also strives to work with the local Latino community.

SCHEDULE OF EVENTS

“Bridging Gaps in a Colorful Nation”
A Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at UND
Featuring Dr. Julia So workshops

Tuesday, October 13
7:00-8:30pm Merengue Mixer and Cha-Cha Lessons, Hyslop Ballroom Studio 370; free

Thursday, October 15
Workshops—Julia So, Lecture Bowl, Memorial Union
9:00-9:50am “What makes a good Role Model?”
10:00-10:50am “Developing a positive image of yourself and others”
11:00-11:50am “A conversation on the changing majority”
Noon-1:00pm Reception—Era Bell Thompson Multicultural Center
6:00-8:00pm “Working Diversity into Strategic Planning”Open Forum—Lecture Bowl, Memorial Union

Friday, October 16
Workshops—Julia So, Loading Dock, Memorial Union
9:00-9:50am “A conversation on the changing majority”
10:00-10:50am “Embracing Diversity”
11:00-11:50am “What makes a good Role Model?”

Saturday, October 17
4:00pm-7:00pm (doors open at 3:30pm)—Latin American Banquet, Ballroom, Memorial Union “The Narrow Road to the American Dream: The Challenges Facing the Changing Minority” $5 Students, $7 Adults
9:00pm – 1:00am—Nightlife Dance Fiesta—Loading Dock, Memorial Union

Contacts:
Ana Riera, president
Organization of Latino Americans
918-200-3761
ana.riera@und.edu

M.C. Diop, director
Multicultural Student Services
701-777-4362
mcdiop@mail.und.nodak.edu