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Roberto Hernández Center |
The Roberto Hernández Center (RHC) is committed to increasing the presence of Latinos at the University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee, specifically students, faculty, and academic staff. The goal is to deliver effective advising and mentoring to the UWM Latino students by faculty and staff, in order to foster their retention and guide them to expediently complete degree requirements. We are also committed to develop and expand on Latino community outreach programs through interactions and partnerships with other organizations. The RHC seeks to promote and validate research on Latino cultures and affirming the value of producing and disseminating knowledge of Latino Studies to ensure implementation of such scholarly endeavors. Who was Roberto Hernández? Roberto Hernández was one of the most active Latino leaders in the city of Milwaukee during the 1970's. In the late 1960's, there were less than one dozen local U.S. Latinos enrolled as students at UWM. Hernández, then a student and a staff member of the UW Extension Center for Leadership Development, emerged as one of the leading voices in the Latino community's efforts to increase U.S. Latino representation at the University. He soon became the lead strategist and negotiator for the community in its quest for the creation of what would later be known as the Spanish Speaking Outreach Institute. As Chair of the Council for Latin Americans, Hernández presided over the committees that chose the first SSOI Director and staff. He was also one of the key individuals that helped to negotiate the first language maintenance Bilingual program in Wisconsin, and assisted and supported the enactment Wisconsin's first Migrant Worker's Act. After he left Milwaukee, he continued his youth and community advocacy in home in Texas where he was regarded as one of the most successful organizers and social transformers. Unfortunately, in 1994 Hernández died prematurely of a heart attack. Roberto Hernández was a major force in shaping the collaborative work of Latinos in Milwaukee. One of his goals was to work towards educational advancement and a better life for all Latinos in and around the Milwaukee area. It is our hope that this Center, dedicated to his memory, will make important contributions towards the advancement of Latinos in Milwaukee and the rest of the state. |
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Advisory Committee |