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University of North Georgia (UNG) assistant professor of psychological science Dr. Efren Velazquez, three undergraduate students, and two alumni led a panel at the annual Conference on the Americas hosted this year at the University of Georgia (UGA).

Velazquez, who serves as chair of the Latinx faculty and staff committee, shared that student-led panel highlighted how to support Latinx students in Georgia universities. The committee reached out to undergraduate students and alumni before winter break and the proposal was submitted in December.

"A lot of these students have multiple roles in their families in addition to being a college student," Velazquez said. "I like to mentor these students because they will go on to mentor future generations."

The group's presentation conveyed the importance of communication and shared how Latinx students have additional barriers that often don't apply to other students.

Group members Ximena Luna, '21 and Madison Rodriguez, '20, Evelyn Tello-Mendoza, Fatima Santanilla, and Mauricio Picazo-Garcia strengthened their presentation skills, networked and engaged in professional development.

"The conference was a step toward my professional career and will hopefully get the ball rolling to start programs to help the new wave of first-generation college students," said Picazo-Garcia, a sophomore pursuing a degree in engineering from Gainesville, Georgia, said.

Luna earned a Bachelor of Arts in modern languages with a concentration in Spanish language and literature. She is a second-year master's student at UGA and shared that this panel helped highlight the importance of these discussions.

"As a first-generation Latina having these types of conversations can be intimidating," Luna said. "However, during the panel, I felt like my voice was being heard and the people there cared about my Latinx community."