In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, TCU’s Office of Diversity and Inclusion partnered with TCU Neeley to host Sepulveda, an author and former Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics for the Obama Administration.
October 19, 2023
By Alexandria Salinas
Shaddock Auditorium in the TCU Neeley School of Business came alive with a special recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month through an engaging discussion on “The Future of Latinos in the U.S.” The event featured TCU President Daniel Pullin and guest speaker Juan Sepulveda, who offered profound insights into the challenges and opportunities facing Latino communities.
Juan Sepulveda, a political strategist with extensive experience in community organizing and public service, shared his perspective on the importance of the Latino vote. He urged Latinos to get out and vote, emphasizing its critical role in influencing policies and shaping the future.
Sepulveda's wealth of experience, from his time at PBS to his involvement in the Obama campaign and later as the Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics for the Obama Administration, demonstrates the influence of the Latino community in the national political landscape. Taking it a step further than voting, he emphasized the need for Latinos to get involved in the political process.
Pullin addressed the importance of representation and the impact of Latinos on the U.S. economy. Sepulveda shared a striking statistic to hit the point home. He said, “If you took the 64 million Latinos in the U.S. and considered their economic activity as a country, they would be the fifth largest country on the planet, with an economic power surpassing the United Kingdom, India and Canada.”
Pullin also highlighted the increasing number of Latinos, especially women, becoming business owners, showcasing a growing trend in entrepreneurship.
Regarding the role of Latinos in education, Sepulveda encouraged first-generation college students to seek out opportunities and make connections. Sepulveda shared an example from his leadership class, explaining how he helped students network, which ultimately opened doors to valuable resources and internships. He said, “It’s important to surround yourself with different types of people.”
Senior Advisor to the Chancellor and Chief Inclusion Officer, Jonathan Benjamin-Alvarado, underlined the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month and the impact of such events throughout the school year.
“We, at TCU, seek to strategically position the university as a beacon for diversity and inclusion,” Benjamin-Alvarado said.
Attendees, like first-year student Nancy Palacios agreed with many of the insights shared and felt empowered by the message.
“It instills in me hope that the challenges and obstacles I’ve faced and those that lie ahead hold the promise of a brighter future, not just for myself but for the entire Latino community,” said Palacios.
