PROGRAM DEADLINES
General Application (Students): MAY 5, 2023
THE PROGRAM
July 7 - 15, 2023 | 10 & 11 Grades
Academia Latina Leadership is an extension of Academia Latina. This program began in 2013 with the goal of developing our youth as leaders. Academia Leadership is a 9-day summer residential program for Latino youth in southern Oregon completing grades 10 through 11. The program will offer a broad range of courses, lectures, cultural experiences, and recreational activities focused on leadership and the development of an effective leader. The goal of this program is to foster Latino youth leaders and create positive role models.
PARTICIPANT PREREQUISITES
Must have completed the following grades:
10th or 11th grade
Academic Transcript
Students will need to submit a transcript online (Ideal Logic Platform)
Recommendation Letter:
Letter must be from a community leader, mentor or teacher
ONE recommendation letter DOWNLOAD RECOMMENDATION FORM
Note: Recommendators will need to fill out this form and email/mail to the person listed.
Essays
Essay # 1 - How has your heritage hindered/helped your view of education? How will
you be able to impact younger generations? (250 words minimum)
Personal Characteristic Requirements
Academia Latina Leadership is looking for high-energy participants who find working with
young people stimulating and fun. We are also looking for students that have a special
interest in social justice, leadership and social change.
Must have completed the following grades:
10th or 11th grade
Academic Transcript
Students will need to submit a transcript online (Ideal Logic Platform)
Recommendation Letter:
Letter must be from a community leader, mentor or teacher
ONE recommendation letter DOWNLOAD RECOMMENDATION FORM
Note: Recommendators will need to fill out this form and email/mail to the person listed.
Essays
Essay # 1 - What does leadership look like to you? In what ways are you a leader in your community? (250 words minimum)
Personal Characteristic Requirements
Academia Latina Leadership is looking for high-energy participants who find working with young people stimulating and fun. We are also looking for students that have a special interest in social justice, leadership and social change.
PROGRAM INFORMATION
COVID-19 POLICY FOR 2023: SOU continues to operate under protocols outlined by the Oregon Health Authority for in-person classes and on campus events to ensure community safety and compliance with current state and federal guidelines. Please note that students are currently not required, but may need to provide proof of vaccination.
Should vaccination status need to be proven, exemptions may be allowed, but will be handled on a case-by-case basis, and may require additional documentation. In the instance of an approved exemption families will most likely still need to provide proof of a negative COVID test taken no more than 24 hours before arrival at SOU for camp. Requirements for camp are subject to change pending state and federal guidelines. Final decisions about health and safety protocols will be made as we get closer to the start of camp.
- Masks are currently not required to participate in programs on campus, but are recommended.
SPONSORS
Academia Leadership is made possible by the generous contributions of our donors, supporters and community members. Without them, this program would not be possible. Thank you for all your support throughout the years!
PAST CLASSES
Legacy of Latino Leadership and Power
Instructor: Marjorie Trueblood-GambleCourse Description: In this course, students will have an opportunity to explore the legacy of Latino power and leadership from a historical, contemporary, and future-oriented lens. We will engage in different activities and readings that focus on five practices of exemplary leadership with a cultural twist.
Objectives: Students will explore Latino leadership and action in the United States through looking at timelines of Latino Civil Rights and contemporary movements.
Marjorie Trueblood-Gamble is the Director of Diversity & Inclusion at Southern Oregon University. She earned he Bachelors Degree from Earlham College in Psychology and Masters Degree from Ball State University in Executive Development. She has been at SOU for over 5 years.
Building the Leader Within for the World Around You
Instructor: Marvin WoodardCourse Description: Leadership; the ability to influence others. In this workshop, students will have the opportunity to examine leadership development from three perspectives: Self - Group – Community. This fun and interactive workshop focuses on the 7 C’s of Leadership and will show students their potential as community supporters and leaders.
Objectives: Self-knowledge through the exploration of the values explored through the Social Change Leadership Model. Leadership Competence by demonstrating how each individual impacts the group with their values/skills and how that value is transferred into the roles we take in the communities we impact.
Marvin Woodard is the Coordinator for the Multicultural Resource Center and Diversity Scholars Program at Southern Oregon University. He has been working in higher education for over 18 years in southerm Oregon.
Becoming Leaders in Our Community: Race and Politics
Instructor: Erica LedesmaCourse Description: We are not born natural leaders. Leadership is a skill that is developed. We will analyze important leaders, such as Cesar Chavez, Dolores Huerta, Malcolm X, the Black Panthers, and the Chicano Movement, what made them good or bad leaders while analyzing how society portrayed them and the movement. What impact did their work bring to our communities and society? Most importantly how can we continue their efforts to create social change?
Objectives: In this class we will discuss important leadership qualities that we each possess and ways that we can develop and strengthen those skills. Gain a historical overview of social movements in the United States, looking at the socio-political struggles of Latinos and African Americans and tying it to contemporary local politics.
Erica Ledesma earned her degree in Cultural Anthropology and Ethnic Studies from the University of Oregon and attended Academia Latina for three years as a student. She is an xicana activist and writer who’s studies have given her the opportunity to travel and conduct original research. She is currently working for College Dreams.
Civic Engagement Projects
Ropes CourseStudents organized, facilitated and supervised the Ropes Course.
Ashland Emergency Food Bank
Students cleaned the whole facility, prepared mailings and organized the store as they prepared for an open house.
Northwest Season Worker’s Association
Students prepared mailings, made phone calls, and updated databases for a return-to-school campaign.
PROGRAM RESULTS
High School
State of Oregon | Academia Leadership |
![]() |
![]() |
College Enrollment
State of Oregon | Academia Leadership |
![]() |
![]() |
Degree Attainment
State of Oregon | Academia Leadership |
![]() |
PROGRAM STAFF
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
![]() |
Monserrat Alegria |
Genesis Beas |
Jonathan Chavez Baez, M.A. |
Juanita Ephraim |
SOU LATINO/A/X PROGRAMS | LATINOPROGRAMS@SOU.EDU | STAY CONNECTED!