HISPANIC STUDENTS LEADERSHIP INSTITUTES

Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute

The NYS Senate/Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force established the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute in 1994, in an effort to introduce young people to the legislative and political process. The institute is a collaboration between the NYS Education Department's Office of Bilingual Education, ASPIRA of New York, the NYC Board of Education and the Bilingual Education Technical assistance Centers (BETACS). In 1995 , the youth institute was renamed the Angelo Del Toro Puerto Rican/Hispanic Youth Leadership Institute, after his death, in recognition of his support and long term financial contribution to this successful leadership development program.

Leadership Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic College Students

The success of the high school program has led to the creation o a leadership development institute for college students. This year the Task Force will launch, in cooperation with City University of New York ( CUNY) and State University of New York (SUNY), the first Leadership Institute for Puerto Rican/Hispanic Students.

Sixty-five College students are selected to participate in the institute. They engage in a weekend training program in preparation for their trip to Albany, College students will conduct a "Mock Senate Session," where they will enact legislation based upon the political affiliation and philosophical perspective of the Senator they portray. The Task Force's goal is to provide college students with an internship in a state legislator's office and an academic scholarship for their college career.