Our 2012 Student Leadership Series continued on its national tour to connect with 40,000 students in 30 states in 2012.  Since our launch on February 16 in Chicago, followed by a quick series of events in Utah, Nevada, Idaho, Georgia, and Massachusetts, we have had well over 9,000 middle and high school and college students attend our events to date.

Jimmy Cabrera, rated among the top three motivational speakers in the nation and who has already surpassed the one million students mark, was our featured speaker in Marshalltown, IA.  Over 400 middle school students and 1,200 high school students attended our two events.

USHLI was able to partner with Joan Jaimes, representing the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs, in planning, organizing, and conducting the two events.  In acknowledging the partnership with the Iowa Commission, USHLI President Dr. Juan Andrade said, "State-funded agencies like the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs have an extremely useful role to play in helping meet the needs of the ever-growing Hispanic community in their state.  The Iowa Commission was able to direct us into the right community, connect with decision-makers at the right schools, and involve key educators and community leaders.  We could not be more pleased with or more grateful to the Iowa Commission of Latino Affairs for having helped us make this event not only a huge success but also an event whose impact will benefit students for many years to come as they make critical decisions about graduating high school and pursuing post-secondary education or training."