Rosenthal Library, Queens College

High school students from throughout New York City and beyond will come together at Queens College to discuss their research on Latina, Latino, and Latin American Studies on Friday, May 2nd, 2014.

The Queens College Latin American and Latino Studies Program is hosting the 2nd Annual CUNY High School Student Symposium, providing an opportunity for students to meet with their peers from throughout the city and share their work in a public forum moderated by college students, community leaders, and professors. The purpose of the symposium is to recognize the brilliance of New York City youth, hear their voices, and engage in discussion on themes relating to Latin American Studies and the diverse Latina/o experience in the U.S.

This symposium builds on the work done in 2013 through a collaborative effort which established ISLAS, the Inaugural High School Student Symposium on Latina, Latino, and Latin American Studies. ISLAS was held at Lehman College, sponsored by the CUNY Institute for Mexican Studies. The greater historical context is that this would not have been possible without the spirit and determination of those CUNY students who led the fight for open admissions, the establishment of African American Studies and Puerto Rican Studies programs CUNY campuses, beginning with Lehman College and Hunter College, and eventually throughout the CUNY system in all five boroughs.