WSU Hosts 25th Annual Multicultural Youth Conference
OGDEN, Utah – Weber State University’s 25th annual Multicultural Youth Conference will draw hundreds of underrepresented students, from grades nine to 12, who want a head start on higher education to the Shepherd Union Building, Dec. 17 from 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
Over 660 students from Davis, Weber and Ogden school districts are registered for the daylong event. Workshops will focus on skills needed for college success, including financial literacy and planning, completing scholarship applications, student leadership in college, cultural diversity and community involvement.
“First-generation, low-income or ethnic minority students can face unique barriers when it comes to education, often lacking knowledge about admissions, enrollment, FAFSA, scholarship options and other ways to pay for college,” said Marissa Smith, College Access & First-Year Transition specialist. “The goal of this conference is to give young people the opportunities and skills needed to not only help them access higher education but also to help them find their place in the world beyond high school.”
Stacy Bernal, who founded Awesome Autistic Ogden, an autism awareness event, and recently published her first book, “The Things We Don’t Talk About: A Memoir of Hardships, Healing, and Hope,” will present the keynote address at 9 a.m. in the Shepherd Union Ballrooms. Bernal earned her bachelors of art in public relations and advertising from Weber State University in 2013.
In collaboration with many departments and academic programs across campus, Weber State’s Office of Access & Diversity hosts the annual event to empower students to be successful in college. Youth in attendance will have the chance to interact and ask questions of WSU faculty, staff and students.
“Students who attend will learn there are people just like them in college and they can accomplish anything they set their mind to no matter what,” Smith said. “Many of the students who attend come from backgrounds where they don't believe they can pursue a college education or obtain a degree.”
Interspersed throughout the day, university, high school and community volunteers will lead breakout sessions focused on cultural and diversity awareness.
More than 15 WSU departments and colleges will participate in a resource fair that students can visit. Staff and faculty will present workshops relevant to students’ interests and career ideas. For registration and more information about the conference, visit weber.edu/myc
For photos, visit the following links.
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Visit weber.edu/wsutoday for more news about Weber State University.
Shaylee Stevens, Office of Marketing & Communications
801-626-7948 • shayleestevens@weber.edu- Contact:
Marissa Smith, College Access & First-Year Transition specialist
801-626-7320 • marissasmith3@weber.edu