2011 Award Recipients

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TAMPA, Fla. (October 12, 2011) – The USF College of Education (COEDU) is pleased to announce the Seventh Annual Outstanding Latino/a Educator (OLÉ) Awards.  The awards are given annually to outstanding Latino/a COEDU students who demonstrate exceptional performance and potential in the areas of teaching, research, and service.  One award is available at the undergraduate, master’s, and doctoral level. Additionally, there is an honorable mention award for each level as well.  The criteria for the awards are posted on the section About the OLE Awards.

This year’s recipients are an impressive and inspirational group. Winners and honorable mention in the undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level are listed below.

Undergraduate Level

OLE Award Winner: Angel Manuel Arroyo Sr. Angel is completing his bachelor’s degree in Physical Education. A student whose Puerto Rican background is a source of pride, Angel strives to engage students through a culturally relevant curriculum. He was nominated for the OLE Award by Dr. Sara Flory, Assistant Professor in the School of Physical Education and Exercise Science.

Honorary Mention: Casey Marin. Casey is a Social Science Education major with dreams of teaching English in Costa Rica upon graduation. A native of New Orleans, Casey’s Venezuelan background comes into play when he creates culturally rich lessons in his USF courses. He was nominated by Dr. Barbara Cruz, Professor in the Department of Secondary Education.

Master's Level

OLE Award Winner: Marisol Montoya. Marisol is working on a master’s degree in Educational Leadership. Born and raised in Mexico, Marisol’s work with migrant youth is helping close the achievement and graduation gap for this group of students. She was nominated by Dr. Bill Black, Assistant Professor in the Department of Educational Leadership and Policy Studies.

Honorary Mention: Pablo Gallego Álvarez. Pablo is pursuing a master’s degree in Educational Leadership, using his teaching, research, and service to better the lives of Latinos. Originally from Spain, Pablo has received numerous awards and uses his knowledge and love of sports to engage students.

Doctoral Level

OLE Award Winner: Ana T. Torres-Ayala. Ana, a native of Puerto Rico, is pursuing her Ph.D. in Higher Education with an interest in preparing future faculty in engineering. She has presented her preliminary research findings at the American Society for Engineering Education to great acclaim. She was nominated by Dr. Tom Miller, Associate Professor in the Department of Psychological and Social Foundations.

Honorary Mention: Connie Walker-Egea. Connie is completing a Ph.D. in Educational Measurement and Evaluation. A registered and licensed dietitian, she has worked in her native Puerto Rico as well as in the United States, and has presented at national and international conferences. She was nominated by Dr. Liliana Rodriguez-Campos, Associate Professor in the Department of Measurement and Research.

The presentation of the OLE Awards took place on Wednesday, October 12, 2011,  6-8  pm, in the TECO Room of the College of Education. The event and the awards are sponsored with generous support from Verizon’s Hispanic Support Organization.

Improving Education for the Latino Community

In his State of the Union, the President made it clear that the most important contest this country faces today is not between Democrats and Republicans, but with competitors around the world for the jobs and industries of our time. To win that contest and secure prosperity for all Americans, we must out-innovate, out-educate, and out-build the rest of the world. The Latino community is integral to that plan to win the future.

There are 50.5 million Hispanics in the United States, composing 16 percent of the total population and a significant portion of the labor force. When you add the nearly 4 million residents of Puerto Rico, the total number of Latinos surpasses 54 million. Between 2000 and 2010, the Latino population increased by 15.2 million, accounting for more than half of the 27.3 million increase in the total population of the United States. In the coming decades, Latinos will continue to drive the growth of the labor force, as they will account for 60 percent of the Nation’s population growth between 2005 and 2050. In this way, Latino success in education and in the labor market is of both immediate and long-term importance to America’s economy. Learn more...

2010 Award Recipients

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Undergraduate

Award Recipient: Marlyse Rush
(Secondary Education)

Marlyse Rush is an undergraduate student in social sciences education. She is first-generation American citizen born to Cuban-Ecuadorian parents. Her goal is to pursue a Master’s Degree in Bilingual School Counseling.

Honorable Mention: Rosa Linda Garcia
(Elementary Education)

Rosa Linda Garcia is an undergraduate student in elementary education with a minor in women studies. She is very active in the community working for the Farmworkers Self-Help group, and passionate about helping migrant farm workers as a volunteer.

Master’s

Award Recipient: Franz Villate
Secondary Education

Franz Villate is pursuing a master’s degree in Social Studies with an outstanding academic record. He is passionate about serving migrant workers through advocacy and finding ways to helping those in need here and abroad.

Honorable Mention: Monica Sleeter-Bermudez
English Education

Monica Sleeter-Bermudez is pursuing a master’s degree in English education. She is originally from Colombia and is the first in her family with a Bachelor’s degree. She is in her fifth year of teaching at Hillsborough High School.

Doctoral

Award Recipient: Liza Arango
School Psychology

Liza Arango is a doctoral student in school psychology and was nominated for the award by all program faculty. She graduated with Summa Cum Laude honors in her bachelor’s degree and is described as performing at the same level in her doctoral program.

Honorable Mention: Georgina Rivera Singletary
Special Education

Georgina Rivera Singletary is a doctoral student in special education.  Georgina’s personal journey is remarkable. She was a migrant farm worker who persevered against all odds and who is now building a successful career as a school administrator.