October 10, 2018

Please join the Delta College Hispanic Heritage Month Committee and the Diversity & Inclusion Office, on October 11, at 5:30pm, in room S105, as we host a panel discussion entitled: “Overcoming Our Barriers; Community on the Rise.”

The panelists will address some of the community concerns and solutions that may be needed to advance our children’s success. Our goal is to always bring together the community to have a meaningful conversations that will lead to a positive change with clear direction.

Our evening will be hosted by Michael Espinoza who will be accompanied by a great and diverse group of panelists.

Michael Espinoza is dedicated to volunteering for many local organizations including Bay Area Chamber of Commerce ambassador, Fordney Club of Saginaw board of director’s president, University of Michigan Alumni Association board of directors, and the Reading Bay County program. He is a member of the Young Professionals Network in both Saginaw County and Bay County. Additionally, Michael served as past commissioner of the Hispanic/Latino Commission of Michigan, and a member and past president of the Great Lakes Bay Region Hispanic Business Association.

Espinoza is an Investment Advisor Representative and a Registered Representative with Cetera Financial Specialists LLC. Michael was born and raised in Saginaw. A graduate of the University of Michigan – Ann Arbor, he currently lives in Bay City with his two children, Marissa and Fernando.

Jessica Hernandez is director of the Ezekiel Project, a faith-based organization in Saginaw that promotes community involvement. Hernandez previously worked at the Saginaw County Youth Protection Council as a division director for teen parent services and is a lifelong Saginaw County resident, graduating from Bridgeport Public Schools.

Gilberto Guevara is Vice Commander of the Saginaw American G.I. Forum. He was the first Latino on the Saginaw Board of Education in 1978 and has continued to advocate for educational attainment for Latino students to this day. He went on to be the executive director of Latin American Affairs, Immigration Advisor for the Mexican-American Counsel, and recently retired, after six years as the Saginaw Commissioner of the Michigan Hispanic/Latino Commission of the State of Michigan. Today he is a co-founder of LLEAD (Latino Leaders for the Enhancement of Advocacy and Development).

Kevin Gregory is a lifelong Saginaw resident. A graduate of the University of Michigan, he is the coordinator of Leadership Saginaw County, President of the SVAALTI Institute, and head of The Gregory Group.

Hayley Rivera is a full-time Delta College student with substantial involvement on campus. Along with her school work, Hayley is the President of the Club Advisory Board and serves on the Hispanic Heritage Month Committee. She’s also the Vice President of Delta College Economics Club and the Society of Hispanic Leaders. In order to perform her best in leadership activities she’s also enrolled in the Student Leadership Academy. Hayley seeks to expand others knowledge of diversity and works to overcome boundaries in the Latino community through her club and service to the community.