HISPA.org, Freehold, NJ (2026)

05/21/2026

Final stop in HISPA’s Leadership Workshop Series with Passaic County Community College: Citi headquarters in New York City for an inspiring day of insight into the financial services industry. The experience was filled with opportunities to learn about financial empowerment, career pathways, and the importance of taking ownership of one’s future—while reminding students that every journey is unique and success is built through courage and resilience. It was a true delight for our students.

Some highlights include:

👂Listening to a panel of diverse professionals from unique backgrounds, moderated by Janet Arias-Martinez. Our panelists—Cain Colon, Jessica Monterrubio, and Javier R. Araujo—each provided insights from the unique journeys that led them to their careers and demonstrated the importance of chasing your dreams, building a strong network, and knowing it’s never too late to pivot.

💰Learning Financial Empowerment 101 from Angel Lopez, CFP®, who broke down the key elements of budgeting, building your financial foundation, and creating a financial legacy.

💻An exclusive tour of Citi’s Cyber Security Fusion Center provided a first-hand look into the cybersecurity field.

Special thank you to Janet Arias-Martinez for making the day possible and to Elena Ramos-Velita for gathering support from the Hispanic Latino Heritage Network NY Chapter.

We also thank Susan Gaulden, Yelena Lyudmilova, Ed.D., Garland G. Collins M.A., Aleeah Powell, Maxwell Toledo, Abrar Rawashdeh, MA, and Ian Berdugo for their incredible support in bringing the exceptional Passaic County Community College student cohort to NYC!

05/19/2026

A season closes, and another one opens.

HISPA has officially concluded our Leaders in College Program for the academic year 2025-26 across New Jersey Institute of Technology, Norm Brodsky College of Business at Rider University, and Mercer County Community College. Under the leadership of HISPA’s Talent Development and College Program Director, Rod Colón, students connected with executives from Bank of America, Bristol Myers Squibb, and Citi and learned skills to take their leadership and careers to the next level.

Special thanks to our guests: Luis Valle Burguete, Monica Diocades, David Riascos, Janet Arias-Martinez, Anyelica Gomez, MBA, MS, CSM, Edna Castaneda, Eva Clemente, Sonia S., Ricardo Sanchez, Miriam Muley, Jaime Colón, Roy Love, Orlando Rivera, Maria T. Rivera, M.A.Ed., CSM, Tony Rodriguez, PMP, Agile Senior Scrum Master (DASSM), and Elizabeth Carrion. Your advice and professional skill sets have been invaluable. Because of you, students were able to explore internship opportunities, learn about careers in STEM, and build a budget—all critical to graduating from college and entering the workforce.

Special shout-out to all our Leaders in College students! Thank you for your commitment to growing your professional lives and career skills. It is not easy, and HISPA will always support you every step of the way.

Thank you to David Jones, Elizabeth Carrion, and Carmen Negron-Santana for being phenomenal liaisons and advocates. This work does not happen alone, and we are grateful for your part in the HISPA community.

05/15/2026

HISPA continues to be on the road—our May stop: the University of Pennsylvania! 🚍

This week, 80 students from the Norristown Area School District visited the beautiful and historic Houston Hall at the University of Pennsylvania. More than a one-day event, this experience gave students the opportunity to step onto the campus of one of the oldest and most esteemed universities in the U.S. and envision new possibilities for their future.

Moments like these help students expand their vision, believe in their potential, and take meaningful action toward their dreams.

A special thank you to our incredible hosts and partners:
Our sponsor, the University of Pennsylvania's School of Arts & Sciences (SAS) Science Outreach Initiative, and co-sponsor, Merck, continue to bring STEM inspiration and experiences to the next generation of leaders. Your employees’ stories and presence are constant reminders to students that they are not alone. They have a community behind them.

We are also grateful to our workshop hosts, speakers, panelists, and volunteers for engaging students throughout the day through hands-on exploration, meaningful conversations, and words of encouragement. Every interaction made a difference, helping students feel seen, supported, and inspired to keep pursuing their goals.

One student shared:

“Thank you for every new perspective you gave me to help pursue my education after high school. It really answered some of the main questions I had about school and college.”

At HISPA, we believe exposure creates opportunity. By connecting students with college campuses, STEM professionals, and mentors who reflect their potential, we are helping shape the next generation of leaders, innovators, and changemakers.

The road continues, and we can’t wait for the next and final stop of the 2025–26 school year.

05/14/2026

Our students’ futures are looking bright!

Last week, HISPA students from ELIZABETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS joined PSEG for an energizing Imagine Day! Students learned that it takes power to build your own path.

The day was full of sparks:

🌞Sean Reyes welcomed students and shared about the importance of taking advantage of every opportunity.
💡Yovanna Garcia’s inspiring journey from an introverted kid-turned-speaker and a beautiful illustration of her life living between two cultures.
⚡️ Toured PSEG’s training center, coordinated by Ellie Hirst with experts Scott Kercher and Mike Safty.
🌟 Motivated by Christina Rangel, Richard Pagan, and Norman Garcia’s career journeys, moderated by the lovely Danielle Sgroi.
🔌 Informed by Viviana Jimenez Valencia, MBA, PMP and Michelle Hernandez through an LED Circuit Workshop that got students amped up.

Thank you to PSEG for being such incredible conductors of inspiration.

Special shout-out to Viviana Jimenez Valencia, MBA, PMP, Melissa Avila, and Patricia (Patti) Vargas, CFE, for all your support in making this day possible as amazing liaisons!

You helped our students reach for the stars🌟

05/11/2026

Last week, we concluded two HISPA Leaders in College cohorts at Passaic County Community College.

As a final close to this transformative program, we had students put the skills they learned
throughout—networking, interviewing, internships, professional communication—to the test. Thank you to Rajesh S., Stephanie Leiva, L. Max Perez, and Roberto Mejia for taking the time to network and celebrate with our students.

We were wowed by the testimonies students shared. One key takeaway was the importance of being seen and welcomed. HISPA’s mission is to inspire students to discover their potential; this includes creating environments where students can build their confidence and access opportunities.

Thank you so much to our partners, Bloomberg and Merck, and to William Paterson University of New Jersey and Ramapo College of New Jersey for hosting select sessions. Every time you are present for our students, it gives them the opportunity to know they can shine! Special thanks to our session guests: Luis Valle Burguete, Iveth Cestona, CPA, CGMA, Adolfo Pertuz, MBS, Isabel Perez, Ph.D., Noani Propst, PMP, MBS, CEM, Sophia Castaneda, Belmarie Siverio, and Erick Villavicencio. Your impact resonates with our students.

Thank you to the Passaic County Community College team:Yelena Lyudmilova, Ed.D., Garland G. Collins M.A. , Maxwell Toledo, Ian Berdugo, Antonio Hernandez, Aleeah Powell, and Abrar Rawashdeh, MA, specially Susan Gaulden for believing in our work and mission and for opening the doors once again to impact students’ lives.

Looking forward to the new semester!

05/10/2026

Behind every dream is someone who believed in us first. ❤️

Today, HISPA celebrates the mothers, abuelas, tias, caregivers, and mentors whose love, sacrifices, and encouragement help shape the future of our communities every day. Your strength inspires confidence, your support fuels ambition, and your resilience creates opportunities for the next generation to thrive.

Being a mother is already one of the most important titles anyone can hold — and for so many in our community, you also carry the title of HISPA Role Model. Through your leadership, compassion, and dedication, you continue to inspire others and bring love, hope, and opportunity to the next generation.

To the women who remind us to dream bigger, work harder, and never forget where we come from — thank you. Your impact reaches far beyond your families and into the hearts of every student and future leader you uplift.

From all of us at HISPA, Happy Mother’s Day. 💐

05/08/2026

During , we want to recognize and celebrate the incredible teachers and counselors who make a lasting impact every single day. 🍎✨

Teachers and counselors are so much more than educators and advisors. They are mentors, role models, advocates, and a source of encouragement for students navigating their futures. Their dedication helps build confidence, spark ambition, and create opportunities that can truly change lives.

At HISPA, we are deeply grateful to the teachers and counselors who support our students and help bring our HISPA programs to life, inspiring the next generation of leaders.

Because of your commitment, students are reminded that their dreams are possible and their potential is limitless.

Thank you for the passion, care, and energy you bring into your schools and communities every day. It is an honor to work alongside educators who are transforming lives and shaping brighter futures. 💙

05/07/2026

Last week, HISPA had its first-ever Imagine Day at Turner Construction Company! It was not only a milestone for HISPA, but a wonderful collaboration to celebrate Founder’s Day at Turner Construction Company!

During this celebration, students:

🌟Got inspired by Amaury Genao, who kicked things off with his incredible energy and introduction to Turner.

⭐Immersed themselves in the world of construction with a guided tour of the Turner office.

👷Tackled real-world challenges through the Build the Bridge: Construction & Coordination Workshop, a great way for students to learn what it takes to be part of the industry.

✋ Heard from a wonderful panel about the diverse professionals and functions that make modern construction possible.

A special thank you to all the Turner volunteers for their dedication and commitment to expanding students’ horizons about diverse career opportunities and future leadership opportunities.

05/05/2026

What a great way to celebrate the conclusion of Financial Literacy Month: an empowering Leadership Workshop for HISPA’s Leaders in College students, hosted by Bank of America! Student cohorts from New Jersey Institute of Technology, the Norm Brodsky College of Business at Rider University, and Mercer County Community College spent an incredible day during which Bank of America demonstrated that leadership isn’t just a topic—it is a lived experience.

A massive thank you to the incredible team who made this day possible:

🌟 To David Riascos for leading the charge. A day full of networking and expansion is possible when you set your mind to it.

🌟 To Kowsky Georges for sharing your wisdom about leadership extending beyond titles and into our daily work.

📈 To Matthew Armendinger, CFP® for the expert breakdown on how investing is key to financial success.

📝 To Chris Dumont, Lori Hendricks, and Amy Brinkman for an all-star panel emphasizing the importance of adaptability, that success is built beyond a GPA, and that a well-crafted resume is your "ticket to opportunity.”

🎤 To Coral Peguero for moderating such a dynamic session and synthesizing these golden nuggets of advice.

We are so grateful to Bank of America for closing the gap between what is achievable and what is possible with the power of community and determination.

05/04/2026

There’s no better way to celebrate this season than by opening doors and expanding possibilities for HISPA students.

Last week, 140 students from ELIZABETH PUBLIC SCHOOLS visited Kean University—for many, their very first college experience—connecting them directly with higher education right next door.

A special thank you to our incredible hosts and partners:
Our co-host, the Center for the Positive Development of Urban Children of the John S. Watson Institute for Urban Policy and Research at Kean University, whose dedication to uniting students with role models, ranging from professionals to PhD students, helped students know they have a village cheering them on.

Special thanks to Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed. for making this possible.
We are also grateful to our STEM Workshop hosts—Pfizer School of Science, Merck, Kean University, and KinderSmile Foundation—for sparking curiosity through hands-on experiences. Through science experiments, dentistry, mental health, and more, students were energized to keep dreaming big.

Finally, thank you to our remarkable speakers—Ana I. Berdecia, M.Ed., Daniel Flores, Jennifer Vinces-Cua PhD; our college student panelists: Celeste Caceres, Kristina Spencer, Ahad Shabazz-Henry, ; and our inspirational speaker Gian Paul Gonzalez—along with all our volunteers.

Your dedication energized the day and empowered students to take action now, not someday.

Thank you, Jennifer Vinces-Cua PhD, for the powerful message: “Remember you are here because people have paved the way. Take action.”

This is what HISPA is all about—connecting students to opportunity, surrounding them with a community that believes in them, and helping them see that their future starts now.

Together with partners who share our mission, we are creating a collective impact that opens doors and expands what’s possible for every student.

📷 Tim Sexton

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