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LULAC Academy 2025

Ignite Your Future: Latino Summer Program for Aspiring Young Adults.

What Is LULAC Academy?

Hosting 350 students aged 18 to 25, the Academy will offer a series of workshops alongside the convention's plenary sessions. This unique opportunity enables participants to delve into critical topics such as health, technology, education, politics, and business. Led by industry experts, these workshops will provide valuable insights and experiences that underscore the significance of Latinos and Latino identity in addressing persistent challenges and fostering innovative solutions.

Applications for Academy 2025 are open now!

Wednesday, August 6, 2025


5:00 - 6:00 pm

LULAC Academy Orientation: Why Young Latina and Latino Voices Matter

The LULAC Academy is a cornerstone of our movement because it invests in the force of the future—young leaders ready to step up. The Latino experience has always been rooted in fearlessness: the bold decision to leave one’s homeland in search of something better, and the courage to build it. For many Chicanos, this also means reclaiming a heritage long silenced—reviving culture, identity, and pride after generations of erasure. That fearless spirit lives in the next generation, and it’s what will unlock solutions to the persistent challenges facing our communities and so many others. This session will feature key leaders in LULAC who are deeply committed to that mission.

Speakers:

Elida Martinez

National VP for Young Adults, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Aric Herrera

Texas LULAC, Deputy Director of Young Adults and Texas A&M LULAC President and Founder

Nathan Castillo

Deputy State Director of Young Adults, California LULAC

Alyssa Mireles

Deputy State Director, California LULAC

Room: 103 B&C


Thursday, August 7, 2025

9:00 - 9:45 am

ACADEMY - Opening Session

The LULAC Academy Opening Session launches the educational track for emerging Latino leaders by grounding participants in the deeper “why” behind their journey. Before diving into policy, strategy, and skill-building, we reflect on what it means to lead as a Latino changemaker today. With powerful remarks from distinguished speakers, the session celebrates Latino excellence and underscores LULAC’s commitment to education, mentorship, and leadership development. Through real stories and a collective call to action, this session sets the tone for the Academy experience—reminding us that leadership isn’t a title, it’s a choice.

Speakers:

Roman Palomares

National President and Board Chairman, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Juan Proaño

Chief Executive Officer, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Ray Serrano, PhD, MPH

National Director of Research and Policy, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Elida Martinez

National VP for Young Adults, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Brittney Curiel Moreno

Public Defense Client Advocate, LULAC Policy Fellow Alumna

Room: 104


10:00 - 10:45 am

FINANCIAL PLANNING 101: Your Path to Financial Freedom

This session is dedicated to helping young adults take control of their financial futures, led by financial experts who understand the unique challenges faced by underserved communities. In Latino and other underserved communities, financial education is often overlooked, making it harder to break the cycle of financial struggle. Learning the foundational tools of managing credit, saving, budgeting will put you on the path to long-term financial security. By arming ourselves with this knowledge early on, we set the stage for a brighter financial future.

Speakers:

Paola Garcia Abbo

Vice President and Head of Impact, OneMain Financial

Natasha Dale

Vice President of Corporate Philanthropy and Community Relations, OneMain Financial

Room: 104


11:00 - 11:45 am

Uprooted: Migration and the Climate Crisis

This session dives into a growing reality: climate-related disasters are fueling migration across the Americas—and Latino migrant communities, especially farmworkers, are on the front lines. From hurricanes and droughts uprooting families to rising temperatures worsening already harsh working conditions, the pressures forcing people to move—and the challenges they face once here—are intensifying. Participants will unpack the connection between natural disasters, migration, and labor conditions. Practice how to communicate these issues in a way that drives awareness and change. Through peer discussion and real-world scenarios, attendees will leave with sharpened advocacy skills and deeper understanding of how to uplift migrant voices.

Speakers:

Brittney Curiel Moreno

Public Defense Client Advocate, LULAC Policy Fellow Alumna

Andres Garcia Perez

Policy Advocate for Migrant Farm Laborers & Research and Policy Fellow, LULAC National

Rachelle Zavalza-Arellano

Research and Policy Fellow, LULAC National & Undergraduate Student, Stanford University

Dr. Brett Matulis

Communities Program Director, ecoAmerica

Room: 104


2:00 - 2:45 pm

TECH - Latino Voices in an AI-Driven World: Tools, Power, and Possibilities

This session is built for Latino students ready to lead in an AI-driven world. We’ll break down the basics—What is predictive AI? Generative AI? Agentic AI? AGI?—and why these technologies matter for your future. You'll learn how to harness AI tools to boost your education, creativity, and career potential, while also understanding the risks that come with them. More than just tech talk, this session centers your experience and shows how your perspective as a Latino student is a competitive advantage in a field hungry for diverse voices. We’ll close with a Q&A so you can ask the real questions and leave with real tools.

Speakers:

Susan Gonzales

Founder and CEO, AI & You

Room: 104


3:00 - 3:45 pm

MEDIA - Reclaiming Our Narrative: Reflecting Latino Realities in Traditional and Social Media

This session is critical for Latinos and underserved communities, where often the value of diverse experiences and backgrounds can be overlooked in the job market. It’s about turning the skills you’ve gained from overcoming challenges, balancing multiple responsibilities, and navigating unique life experiences into tangible job advantages.

Speakers:

Carlos Eduardo Espina

Nonprofit Director, Activist, and Lawyer

Rafael Agustin

CEO, Latino Film Institute and Executive Director, Youth Cinema Project

Room: 104


4:00 - 4:45 pm

STRATEGIC ADVOCACY: Turning Struggles into Strength: How to Strategically Advocate for Change

This session is all about strengthening youth advocacy—especially among Latino youth—to make it more powerful, visible, and effective in the face of the urgent challenges of the past few months. From attacks on immigrant rights to the widening health and wealth gaps, our communities are under pressure that demands bold civic action. Yet too often, that action is misdirected, unnoticed, or ineffective—not because the passion isn't there, but because the tools and strategies are missing. This session aims to fix that. Facilitators will train participants on how to effectively engage administrators and legal authorities, amplify their voices through media, and transform lived experience into strategic influence that creates real impact. The session will also focus on how to advocate in professional spaces that may not always be inclined toward advocacy, ensuring that participants can create change even in challenging environments.

Speakers:

Sen. Roland Gutierrez

Texas State Senate, District 19

Cody Wofsy

Deputy Director of the Immigrants’ Rights Project, American Civil Liberties Union

Room: 104


Friday, August 8, 2025


9:00 - 9:50 am

OPENING SESSION - Being Latino in 2025: Voices from a Changing America

This session is meant to spark the kind of honest, grounded reflections that will frame our upcoming plenary conversations—not with pundits or polished talking points, but with the voices of everyday Latinos. Immigrant parents, students, workers, and community advocates will speak to the realities they face: rising attacks on their rights, deep disparities in health, education, tech access, and economic opportunity. This is where the conversation begins—raw, real, and rooted in the truth of lived experience.

Room: 103 B&C


10:00 - 10:45 am

EDUCATION - Roadblocks to Opportunity: The Impact of Recent Policy Shifts on Public Education

This session will examine the escalating threats to public education, focusing on recent federal budget cuts to key programs like Head Start, proposals to dismantle the Department of Education, and the expansion of charter schools and school voucher initiatives. Panelists—experts in education policy and advocacy—will also discuss the impact of immigration enforcement actions, such as ICE raids on schools, on immigrant children and their communities. The conversation will highlight how these developments disproportionately affect Latino, immigrant, and low-income students, and explore strategies for communities to respond and advocate for equitable education.

Speakers:

Rep. James Talarico

Texas House of Representatives, District 50

Rebecca S. Pringle

President, National Education Association

Juan Proaño (Moderator)

Chief Executive Officer, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Room: 104


11:00 - 11:45 am

JUDICIAL ADVOCACY - Under Attack: The Role of Courts in Preserving Rights

This session will focus on how the courts can play a pivotal role in restoring and protecting the rights of immigrants, Latinos, and marginalized communities, particularly in light of recent changes at both the federal and state levels. With policies that threaten to undermine civil rights, from immigration enforcement actions to restrictive state laws, judicial advocacy has become essential in challenging discriminatory practices and ensuring equal protection under the law. Panelists will discuss key legal battles, the role of the judiciary in defending Latino rights, and how courts can act as a safeguard against erosion of these rights. This conversation will highlight the importance of judicial action in upholding justice and equity for all communities.

Speakers:

Attorney General Raúl Torrez

Attorney General, State of New Mexico

Thomas A. Saenz

President and General Counsel, Mexican American Legal Defense and Educational Fund (MALDEF)

Amb. Norman Eisen (ret.) (Moderator)

Co-founder and Board Member, State Democracy Defenders Action

Room: 104


2:00 - 2:45 pm

HEALTH - Hard Truths, Real Solutions: Chronic Disease and the Latino Experience

Chronic diseases are often diseases of the powerless. In Latino communities, conditions like diabetes, obesity, and asthma reveal deep systemic failures—limited access to care, food insecurity, environmental injustice, low health literacy, and a long history of exclusion. This session brings together a panel of healthcare leaders to examine where we are, how we got here, and what it will take to turn the tide. From clinical care to community-based interventions and research-backed strategies, speakers will share what’s working and why. Attendees will leave with a clearer picture of the root causes of health disparities—and practical tools to help close the gap.

Speakers:

Charles D. Henderson

Chief Executive Officer, American Diabetes Association

Larissa Avilés-Santa, MD, MPH

Director, Division of Clinical and Health Services Research National Institute on Minority Health and Health Disparities National Institutes of Health

Ray Serrano, PhD, MPH (Moderator)

National Director of Research and Policy, League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC)

Room: 104


3:00 - 3:45 pm

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT - The Latino Surge: Redefining and Reshaping Politics

This session examines the transformative impact of Latino civic engagement on American democracy. As the Latino population continues to grow in economic and electoral influence, this timely session brings together leaders from organizations at the forefront of Latino political participation. The discussion will highlight successful voter mobilization efforts, analyze legal and structural barriers to participation, and outline actionable strategies for increasing Latino representation and influence in civic spaces. Whether you're an advocate, policymaker, organizer, or ally, this session offers a unique opportunity to learn from the people and organizations leading the charge to protect democracy, ensure accurate and inclusive representation, and unlock the full potential of Latino civic leadership.

Speakers:

Héctor E. Sánchez Barba

President and CEO, Mi Familia Vota

Erica Bernal-Martinez

Chief Executive Officer, National Association of Latino Elected Officials (NALEO)

Jonathan Diaz

Director of Voting Advocacy and Partnerships, Campaign Legal Center

Virginia Kase Solomón

President & CEO, Common Cause

Room: 104


4:00 to 4:50 pm

COMMUNITY FORUM - Now What? What Comes Next.

As the final session of the Convention, this Community Forum brings together the themes and insights from the past two days—covering healthcare access, economic opportunity, civic engagement, and more. In this moderated discussion, participants will reflect on the key challenges facing our communities while also identifying clear, actionable steps to move forward. This session is designed to center community voices, elevate shared experiences, and close the Convention on an empowered and optimistic note—grounded in purpose and ready for action.

Speakers:

Gaby Pacheco

President and CEO, TheDream.US

Room: 104


Core Academy Sessions

At the core of LULAC's mission lies the belief in the transformative potential of accessible education for all. Embedded within this convention, the LULAC Academy seeks to translate our organization's vast knowledge and values into a meaningful educational experience tailored for young Latinos.

Man speaking on the microphone

Program Experience

Dive into a world of transformative discussions, inspirational keynote speeches, and dynamic panels at the LULAC National Convention. Join us for a compelling experience enriched with cultural significance and the latest in advocacy and civil rights.

This summer, make LULAC your home and classroom. Discover what it means to be a Summer Academy student in Long Beach, California.