Avanzando Las Humanidades: Education Stories
Join the Avanzando: Education Pathways -- Humanities Lab at Arizona State University for an early-evening event featuring music from Guitarras Latinas, cultural foods, chalk mural art and a rich panel discussion moderated by Avanzando course students.
Avanzando course students will partner with community professionals - Francisca Montoya, Esmeralda Franco and Megan Vanbuskirk (see bios below) – in a live panel discussion to introduce Maryvale High School students, ASU students and audience members to the foundational role the humanities have played in the panelists various career paths.
Event Agenda
- 5 p.m. – 5:30pm: Guitarras Latinas musical entertainment/ cultural foods/ chalk muralist
- 5:30 p.m. – 6:30pm: Live panel discussion
- 6:30 p.m. – 7:30pm: Guitarras Latinas musical entertainment
The event is part of Humanities Week sponsored by The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at ASU. The event is free of charge and open to the public.
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Guest Panelists:
Francisca Montoya
As Raza Development Fund's Director of Community Development & Special Projects, Francisca Montoya oversees the PPP program managing all aspects of program operations, including policy and quality improvement to achieve department goals. Previously, Francisca was employed with Friendly House, Inc., as Director of Strategic Development. Her recent experience includes working with MALDEF as Regional Director for the 2010 Census and Arizona Regional Director of the Cesar E. Chavez Foundation where she was responsible for community relations, corporate fundraising, and program and grants management.
Over the years, Francisca has been recognized for her long-time commitment to the community. The Raul H. Castro Institute honored her with the Latina Trailblazer Award in its inaugural year. Cox Communication recognized Francisca as the Phoenix market community Latina leader. She was highlighted as one of 100 Latino leaders in Arizona as part of the state's Centennial celebration. ASU President Michael Crow has also recognized Francisca, awarding her the President's Medal for Social Embeddedness for her work with the Early Start to College Program.
Esmeralda Franco Ruiz
Esmeralda Franco Ruiz is a third-year undergraduate student in The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences at Arizona State University (ASU). She is pursuing a degree in Transborder Studies with a minor in Spanish, and works as a Social Embedded Analyst with the Office of University Affairs at ASU.
Esmeralda has worked on multiple non-profit/political campaigns both at the local and national levels creating programs that help engage underserved communities. These campaigns have made it possible for women, domestic workers, and people of color to find access to financial, career, and political resources. Esmeralda hopes to continue finding ways to bring resources and information to communities through her work.
Megan Vanbuskirk
Megan Vanbuskirk B.F.A, M.Ed is the Instructional Lead for the Maryvale High School Arts Department and the Maryvale High School Art Pathway program for the surrounding community. The Pathway provides an avenue for students who show a deep interest in the visual or performing arts to develop their skills and make meaningful connections during their high school experience.
Maryvale High School Art Departments host and participate in a variety of art competitions and art exhibitions annually, some of which include:
Annual 8th-grade art competition
Annual First Friday art walk
PXU Art competition
Shemer "Horizons" art exhibition
Congressional Art Competition
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The Humanities Lab is an inquiry-driven social change incubator designed to offer students new ways of knowing, doing and being. All Lab courses focus on today’s most pressing social challenges and engage students in team-based, action-oriented, project-centered learning in collaboration with instructional faculty, embedded university librarians, and community consultants on and off campus. Learning is activated by students who pose questions, conduct transdisciplinary collaborative research, follow up on research-informed leads, innovate possibilities for positive change and ultimately develop public-facing impact outcomes designed to better our collective future. For more information visit: HERE.
