2007 Class of the Hispanic Interns in Community Service Program and Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute
2007 Class of the Hispanic Interns in Community Service Program and Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute
TRENTON, N.J. – The Department of Community Affairs held its graduation ceremony today for the Class of 2007 Hispanic Interns in Community Service Program and the Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute at NJN studios. 

“Congratulations to the Class of 2007 for all their hard work and dedication these past 10 weeks,” said Department of Community Affairs’ (DCA) Acting Commissioner Charles Richman.  “I wish them continued success in the future and look forward to hearing of their future accomplishments as they become the business, political, and community leaders of tomorrow.”

The graduation ceremony featured keynote speaker Samuel Delgado, Vice President of External Affairs for Verizon New Jersey.  Previously, Mr. Delgado served as Director of Verizon Supplier Diversity, where he was responsible for providing procurement opportunities for Minority, Women, Veterans and Persons with Disability-owned Business Enterprises.

Two of the graduating interns, Stephanie Macias and Angel Grant, spoke on behalf of the graduating class.

The Hispanic Interns in Community Service Program and Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute is a ten-week summer program geared toward leadership and professional development.  The program, which began in 1988, offers Hispanic college students the opportunity to work in a government, corporate or non-profit setting and participate in leadership training conducted by Rutgers University’s Center for Strategic Urban Community Leadership.

“The Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute equips the interns participating in the Program with skills essential for executive leadership,” said Angie Armand, Director of the Center for Hispanic Policy, Research and Development. “Through a wide-range of workshops, projects, and practical experiences, interns learn to identify their professional strengths and how to use them most effectively.”

Over the course of the program, interns are required to complete a project analyzing a policy topic of interest and its effect on the Latino community.  This year’s graduating class had 31 participants.

This year through the program, Edson Mota of Plainfield and Albert Torres of Bloomfield both received $5,000 scholarships, sponsored by PSE&G.  Additionally, Monica Coy of East Brunswick, Maria Herrera of Belleville, Carolina Lozada, of North Arlington, Awinna Martinez of Passaic, and Evelin Urena, of Trenton, all received $3,000 scholarships, sponsored by Foundation for the CHPRD which is made up of various corporate entities.

More information on the Hispanic Interns in Community Service Program and Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute can be obtained by calling 609-984-3223, or by visiting   www.nj.gov/dca/chprd.

Hispanic Interns in Community Service Program and
Latino Leaders Fellowship Institute Class of 2007


John Arent Stephanie Gonzalez Edson Mota
Angelina Armenta Angel Grant Glorivee Otero-Miranda
Mario Arrieta Vanessa Guevara Manuel Pena
Edison Calderdon Maria Herrera Nicole Perez
Fatima Cantos Julian Jacobs Reidy Rojas
Evelyn Capac Carolina Lozada Ross Santana
Monica Coy Dalena Luis Albert Torres
Jennifer Encarnacion Stephanie Macias Evelin Urena
Amy Eusebio Awinna Martinez Laura Wilensky
Carolina Garcia Evelin Martinez
Monica Gonzalez Diana Medina