By RANDY GONZALES
FHSU University Relations and Marketing
Fort Hays State University’s inaugural Hispanic College Institute is all about “familia.” That feeling of family is important, empowerment comedian Ernie G said while leading today’s training session for FHSU student volunteers.
The HCI, which will bring together high school sophomores (class of 2018) and juniors (class of 2017) to the FHSU campus, is scheduled for Wednesday through Saturday on the FHSU campus. The institute is a free, four-day residential program that prepares Hispanic students for success in higher education. Approximately 115 students will be part of the first HCI class. In addition, almost two dozen current FHSU students will provide assistance throughout the week. There will be two student volunteers — or leads — for every 10 campers.
During one of Tuesday morning’s team-building exercises, Ernie G asked the student volunteers to share something personal about themselves that was embarrassing. That night, they would share something positive about themselves. Everybody’s fighting a battle, he said.
“Your students, they’re all struggling with a battle,” Ernie G said. “You’re going to be kind, gracious and loving to all of them. You’re going to welcome them into this beautiful familia that we’re already starting to build.”
“My job is to get you to be yourselves, your authentic, genuine selves,” he added. “The students are authenticity radar experts. If you’re faking the funk, they ain’t going to play.”
FHSU President Mirta M. Martin, at the urging of then-Virginia Gov. Tim Kaine, created a state wide Hispanic College Institute when she worked in higher education in Virginia. With the Hispanic population growing in Kansas, Martin’s goal to do the same at FHSU comes to fruition this week. Martin met Ernie G — who is at Fort Hays State this week conducting his 32nd four-day Hispanic youth program — in Virginia in 2010. She asked him to come to Hays for FHSU’s inaugural HCI.
“She knew that you can replicate the program but you couldn’t necessarily replicate the heart without bringing what we brought from Virginia to here,” said Ernie G, a well-known Latino entertainer and activist. “We’re going to empower these students to bring the heart, so it will be a lasting program here.”
Emma Ruiz, from Lakin, will be a junior at FHSU in the fall. She decided to volunteer for HCI because family is important to her.
“To me, what captured my attention was family, because I am a very family-oriented person,” Ruiz said. “Having students come in, I want them to experience that family love, whether they have it back home or not.”
Ernie G told the student volunteers that not only will the HCI students benefit from the next four days, but so will they.
“Here’s the beautiful thing — none of you have ever done this program,” he said. “And I promise you this: You think it’s for the students, but you’re going to get the most out of this program.”
“What you will discover is the magic comes in being able to give the love away.”