Versatile, Segment-Leading 2018 Honda HR-V Arriving at Dealerships

August 11, 2017

Sporting a vibrant new blue color and sporty new alloy wheel treatment, the 2018 edition of the best-selling Honda HR-V begins arriving in dealerships this Monday, August 14.

Versatile, Segment-Leading 2018 Honda HR-V Arriving at Dealerships

– HR-V leads hot subcompact-SUV segment in retail sales

– New color and updated wheel design enhance sporty personality

– HR-V combines coupe-like styling with SUV functionality and great efficiency

TORRANCE, Calif., Aug. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With its stylish coupe-like design and SUV functionality, the versatile and segment-leading¹ 2018 Honda HR-V begins arriving at Honda dealerships August 14 carrying a Manufacturer’s Suggested Retail Price (MSRP²) starting at $19,570. The HR-V became America’s retail best-selling subcompact SUV1 in April 2017 and has posted seven consecutive months of year-over-year sales gains. Up 27.9 percent for the first half of 2017, HR-V sales to individual retail buyers outpace all other subcompact SUVs.

For 2018, the Honda HR-V offers a vibrant new color, Aegean Blue Metallic, available on select trims. HR-V also features a refreshed wheel design with black-painted inserts – available on EX and higher trims – to enhance HR-V’s sporty personality.

The 2018 Honda HR-V will continue to deliver one of the most versatile interiors in the segment thanks to Honda’s 2^nd-row Magic Seat^® that offers four different modes for multiple seating and cargo-hauling configurations. With 100.1 cu.-ft. of passenger space and 58.8 cu.-ft. of cargo volume (LX FWD) with the 2^nd-row seats folded down, the HR-V has space to rival some competitors’ midsize SUV offerings.

Not only is the 2018 Honda HR-V stylish and functional, it’s also efficient, with EPA³ fuel economy ratings of 28/34/31 mpg (city/highway/combined) for CVT-equipped two-wheel drive models and 27/31/29 mpg for models with all-wheel drive, while 6-speed manual 2WD models received a 25/33/28 mpg rating.

The 2018 HR-V is also fun to drive, with lively yet secure handling and a standard 6-speed manual transmission (2WD models). HR-V is powered by a responsive 1.8-liter SOHC 16-valve 4-cylinder engine with i-VTEC^®valvetrain, with peak output of 141 horsepower (SAE net) at 6,500 rpm and 127 lb.-ft. of torque (SAE net) 4,300 rpm. The HR-V is available with Honda’s Real Time AWD with Intelligent Control System™ for outstanding all-weather handling and control. A continuously-variable transmission (CVT) is available on all models, and a 6-speed manual transmission is available on the LX and EX trims with 2WD.


2018 Honda HR-V Pricing and EPA Data
Trim	Drivetrain	MSRP	EPA MPG Ratings (city/highway/combined)
LX	2WD w/ 6MT	$19,570	25/33/28
LX	2WD w/ CVT	$20,370	28/34/31
LX	AWD w/ CVT	$21,670	27/31/29
EX	2WD w/ 6MT	$21,620	25/33/28
EX	2WD w/ CVT	$22,420	28/34/31
EX	AWD w/ CVT	$23,720	27/31/29
EX-L w/ Navi	2WD w/ CVT	$25,040	28/34/31
EX-L w/ Navi	AWD w/ CVT	$26,340	27/31/29

The 2018 Honda HR-V offers standard safety and driver-assistive features including the anti-lock brakes (ABS) with Brake Assist and Hill Start Assist, Vehicle Stability Assist™ (VSA^®) electronic stability control system, a Multi-Angle Rearview Camera, a Tire Pressure Monitoring System (TPMS) and more.

The Honda HR-V has set new monthly sales records in every month of 2017, with its best month of all-time coming in July of this year⁴. The 2017 HR-V was named the 2017 Best Subcompact SUV for Families and the 2017 Best Car for the Money of the Best Subcompact SUV category by U.S. News & World Report along with additional prestigious accolades.

The 2018 HR-V was developed by Honda R&D Co. Ltd. in Japan, and is manufactured at two Honda auto plants located in Celaya and Guadalajara, Mexico. For additional media information including high-resolution photography of the 2018 Honda HR-V, please visit www.hondanews.com/channels/hr-v. Consumer information is available at www.automobiles.honda.com/hr-v.

About Honda
Honda offers a full line of reliable, fuel-efficient and fun-to-drive vehicles with advanced safety technologies sold through over 1,000 independent U.S. Honda dealers. The Honda lineup includes the Fit, Civic, Accord and Clarity series passenger cars, along with the HR-V, CR-V and Pilot sport/utility vehicles, the Ridgeline pickup and the Odyssey minivan.

Honda has been producing automobiles in America for 35 years and currently operates 19 major manufacturing facilities in North America. In 2016, more than 95% of all Honda and Acura vehicles sold in the U.S. were made in North America, using domestic and globally sourced parts.

¹ Based on Urban Science retail sales data for 2017CYTD June.
² MSRP excluding tax, license, registration, $940 destination charge, and options. Dealer prices may vary.
³ Based on 2018 EPA mileage ratings. Use for comparison purposes only. Your actual mileage will vary depending on how you drive and maintain your vehicle, driving conditions and other factors.
⁴Based on American Honda sales data.

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SOURCE American Honda Motor Co., Inc.

Understood.org makes heading back to school easier for families of students who struggle in the classroom

August 11, 2017

NEW YORK, Aug. 11, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Ad Council and Understood.org have joined together to promote ways children and their families can be “First-Day Ready” for the new school year. Understood.org is offering a free First-Day Ready Guide to help parents—with students of every age—successfully manage back-to-school transitions.

The guide offers customized tips based on three key questions such as a student’s grade or academic struggles. Practical resources include teacher introduction letters, backpack checklists and suggestions for how to create a dedicated homework station, among many others.

The beginning of a new school year can be challenging for all children, but it is an especially difficult time for families with children who struggle with reading and writing, math, focus and organization. One in five children in the U.S. have learning and attention issues, like ADHD and dyslexia, and many never receive a formal diagnosis. Children with these types of challenges can feel especially stressed during the back-to-school season as they face new subjects, teachers, friends and schools.

“Our First-Day Ready Guide offers parents and caregivers a personalized way to help their child start the school year on the right foot,” said Kevin Hager, managing director of Understood.org. “It’s important to keep in mind that all kids learn in different ways and at different paces. With the right support, kids with learning and attention issues can thrive in school and in life.”

Without proper awareness and support, students with learning and attention issues struggle. According to a recent report by the National Center for Learning Disabilities, students with specific learning disabilities are 31 percent more likely to experience high levels of bullying, more than twice as likely to be suspended, and drop out of school at three times the rate of children without these challenges.*

For more information on learning and attention issues, visit Understood.org. The First-Day Ready Guide is available in both English and Spanish.

Understood.org
Created by 15 nonprofit partners, Understood.org is a free online resource and community supporting parents of the 1 in 5 kids with learning and attention issues. Understood.org empowers millions of parents through personalized resources, daily access to experts, interactive tools and a supportive online and on-the-ground community. Winner of the 2015 Webby Award for Best Family/Parenting Site and the 2016 Cynopsis Award for Best Branded Digital Platform, Understood.org is operated by the National Center for Learning Disabilities (NCLD). For more information and resources, visit Understood.org, like us on Facebook, or follow us on Twitter.

Ad Council
The Ad Council brings together the most creative minds in advertising and media to address the most worthy causes. Its innovative, pro bono social good campaigns raise awareness. They inspire action. They save lives. To learn more, visit Adcouncil.org, follow the Ad Council’s communities on Facebook and Twitter, and view the creative on YouTube.

DATA SOURCE:

* National Center for Learning Disabilities – 2017 The State of Learning Disabilities: Understanding the 1 in 5 report

http://www.ncld.org/the-state-of-learning-disabilities-understanding-the-1-in-5

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543920/Ad_Council_Understood_Logo.jpg

SOURCE The Ad Council

Labor Commissioner’s Office Cites Jack in the Box Franchise Owner More Than $900,000 for Misclassification

August 10, 2017

SACRAMENTO, Calif., Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The California Labor Commissioner’s Office cited a Jack in the Box franchise operator $903,084 for misclassifying 40 managers as exempt and denying them overtime pay.

Nor-Cal Venture Group, Inc. owns 26 Jack in the Box franchises in California, most of which are in the greater Sacramento area. The Labor Commissioner’s Office opened an investigation after receiving a complaint and found that 40 employees were misclassified as exempt. As managers, they were required to work a minimum of 45 hours per week with no overtime, regardless of how many hours they worked.

“For these employees, being misclassified as managers resulted in being paid less than minimum wage,” said Labor Commissioner Julie A. Su. “That’s not an acceptable way of doing business in California, and my office will continue to enforce labor laws that uphold that wage floor.”

Managers who spend less than half of their work time on managerial duties must be paid overtime. Investigators determined that the 40 workers were performing the same duties as other employees.

The citations issued to Nor-Cal Venture Group, Inc. include $416,783 in unpaid overtime wages and penalties, $218,227 in minimum wage violations and penalties, $169,427 in liquidated damages and $98,647 in waiting time penalties for 16 of the workers, who were not paid at the conclusion of their employment. When workers are paid less than minimum wage, they are entitled to liquidated damages that equal the amount of underpaid wages plus interest.

Worker misclassification results in an estimated loss of $7 billion each year in payroll tax revenue to the state. Employees misclassified as independent contractors are also frequently underpaid and do not have on-the-job benefits and protections, including workers’ compensation coverage, family leave, unemployment insurance, the right to organize or join a union, and protection against employer retaliation.

The Labor Commissioner’s Office, officially known as the Division of Labor Standards Enforcement, is a division of the Department of Industrial Relations (DIR). Among its wide-ranging enforcement responsibilities, the Labor Commissioner’s Office inspects workplaces for wage and hour violations, adjudicates wage claims, investigates retaliation complaints and educates the public on labor laws.

In 2014, Commissioner Su launched the Wage Theft is a Crime multilingual public awareness campaign. The campaign defines wage theft and informs workers of their rights and the resources available to them to recover unpaid wages or report other labor law violations. Employees with work-related questions or complaints may contact DIR’s Call Center in English or Spanish at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734).

Members of the press may contact Peter Melton or Jeanne-Mairie Duval at (510) 286-1161, and are encouraged to subscribe to get email alerts on DIR’s press releases or other departmental updates.

The California Department of Industrial Relations, established in 1927, protects and improves the health, safety, and economic well-being of over 18 million wage earners, and helps their employers comply with state labor laws. DIR is housed within the Labor & Workforce Development Agency. For general inquiries, contact DIR’s Communications Call Center at 844-LABOR-DIR (844-522-6734) for help in locating the appropriate division or program in our department.

https://www.facebook.com/CaliforniaDIR
https://twitter.com/CA_DIR
http://www.youtube.com/CaliforniaDIR
http://www.dir.ca.gov/email/listsub.asp?choice=1

SOURCE California Department of Industrial Relations

The Latino Food Industry Association Announces Official Launch To Advance, Promote, Educate And Advocate For Hispanic-Owned Food Industry Businesses

August 10, 2017

Latino Food Industry Association launches to support the U.S. Hispanic $11 billion food & beverage market

LOS ANGELES, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — With Hispanics now spending at a higher rate on groceries and shopping perishables more frequently than other consumer groups, the Latino Food Industry Association (LFIA) announced its official launch to serve its members, and educate the public and policymakers on the contributions and significant impact being made by Latino-owned food businesses and purveyors on the national economy.

“Given the Hispanic market’s $1.5 trillion in annual buying power and the rapid growth of Hispanic-owned businesses in the food and beverage segment, many of our members felt it was time to launch the Latino Food Industry Association to maximize our position in the industry,” said Ruben Smith, LFIA Board Chair. “Our members include grocery chains, independent grocers, restaurateurs, food and beverage manufacturers and distributors, growers and several national brands who see a unique opportunity to boost market share as Hispanic food grows in popularity.”

The LFIA was established to promote, support, educate and advocate for the thousands of Latino owners, employees and entrepreneurs who are involved in every aspect of the country’s rapidly growing food industry. Thanks to shifting U.S. demographics that are skewing heavily Latino, there are now more opportunities for Hispanic entrepreneurs and business owners to succeed than ever before in the food industry.

Hispanics have become the most important demographic growth driver in the food, beverage and restaurant sectors. The U.S. Hispanic population is growing exponentially compared to non-Hispanics. With an estimated 54 million Latino men and women representing 17% of the U.S. population with buying power well over $1 trillion, it is easy to see how this consumer market has influenced the food and beverage industries in the U.S.

Recently, U.S. Hispanics grew restaurant visits while non-Hispanic visits declined. At home, the Hispanic population combined with their adherence to dining traditions is beginning to influence national consumption patterns. Fresh and from-scratch are the most common food forms in Hispanic meal preparation. Stove-top preparation dominates Hispanic meals more than non-Hispanic meals due to the types of dishes being prepared. Based on these numbers, it’s clear the Hispanic food industry creates wealth, employment and opportunities now and into the future.

“To stay competitive in the burgeoning marketplace, we believe our members need be equipped with the necessary tools to compete and flourish in the food industry,” said LFIA Board member David Lizarraga. “The Latino Food Industry Association aims to provide member services including advocacy training, compliance workshops, legislative updates, operational trainings, technology and marketing and branding improvements, among others.”

LFIA has already gained significant membership through its partnership with the Neighborhood Market Association, which has a network of members ranging from more than a hundred grocery stores and 1,200 convenience stores, as well as an extensive list of suppliers, distributors, manufacturers, growers, corporations and individuals. Other key founding members include two of California’s most successful grocery chains, Northgate González and Vallarta Supermarkets. Initial corporate sponsors include Coca-Cola and PepsiCo.

Please click here to download photos of the Latino Food Industry Association press conference.

Contact:	Robert Alaniz
	Milagro Strategy Group
	(626) 437-3354

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SOURCE Latino Food Industry Association

ASLA Launches Diversity SuperSummit Report and Online Resources

August 10, 2017

american_society_of_landscape_architects_logo

WASHINGTON, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The American Society of Landscape Architects (ASLA) today launches its ASLA Diversity SuperSummit 2017 Report, which highlights strategies and action items to increase diversity in the landscape architecture profession. Here is the report: https://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/CMS/Meetings_and_Events/Diversity_Summit/2017_ASLADiversitySuperSummitReport_FINAL.pdf

The takeaways in the report will serve as accountability for ASLA and as an actionable guide for the Society’s newly created career discovery and diversity position for the upcoming year. It can also serve as a guide for other organizations pursuing the same goal. Here is a summary of the full report: https://www.asla.org/uploadedFiles/CMS/Meetings_and_Events/Diversity_Summit/2017_DiversitySuperSummitSummary.pdf

In 2013, ASLA convened its first Diversity Summit with the goal of developing a deeper understanding of why landscape architecture is failing to attract a more diverse profile. Each summit has brought together a group of established and emerging landscape architects who identify as African American or Latinx to develop strategies that address diversity issues in the field.

Five years later, the 2017 Diversity SuperSummit convened the largest group of attendees to date, with 23 returning and six new participants, at the ASLA Center for Landscape Architecture in Washington, D.C. Participants evaluated goals from previous summits, developed focus areas for four key diversity initiatives to guide ASLA’s work plan in the coming year and discussed the future of the Diversity Summit.

ASLA is excited to share those conversations in the ASLA Diversity SuperSummit 2017 Report.

In addition to the SuperSummit Report, ASLA has also launched the Diversity Summit webpage: https://www.asla.org/DiversitySummit

It provides resources from the past five years of diversity summits including handouts, videos, presentations, news articles and summit reports. Focus items and resources will continue to be established and evaluated as ASLA plans future summits.

Planning will begin soon for the 2018 Diversity Summit, and ASLA will launch a call for letters of interest in early 2018 for potential participants. Be sure to check back to the webpage for information on how to apply.

About ASLA
Founded in 1899, the American Society of Landscape Architects is the national professional association for landscape architects, representing more than 15,000 members in 49 professional chapters and 72 student chapters. Members of the Society use “ASLA” after their names to denote membership and their commitment to the highest ethical standards of the profession. Landscape architects lead the stewardship, planning and design of our built and natural environments; the Society’s mission is to advance landscape architecture through advocacy, communication, education and fellowship.

Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/213969/american_society_of_landscape_architects_logo.jpg

SOURCE American Society of Landscape Architects

Organic Consumers Activists in Seven US Cities and Mexico City Dump Weedkiller-Contaminated Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream

August 10, 2017

FINLAND, Minn., Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — The Organic Consumers Association (OCA) will hold protests today against Ben & Jerry’s, a subsidiary of Unilever, in seven US cities, and Mexico City. US cities are: Austin, Texas; Burlington, Vt., Chicago; Los Angeles; Minneapolis; New York; and Washington, D.C.

Photo – http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543930/oca_ben_jerrys_protest_Image_PRNewswire.jpg

Protests will take place at noon local time, except Los Angeles (4 p.m. PT)

“Ben & Jerry’s built its brand on claims that its products are “natural” and “GMO-Free,” and that the company is committed to “social responsibility,” which includes concern about environmental issues, global warming, fair labor, animal welfare, and economic success for all partners, including dairy farmers,” said Ronnie Cummins, OCA’s international director. “Serving up ice cream made with milk from cows raised on GMO animal feed and contaminated with Monsanto’s Roundup weedkiller violates those promises.

“Ben & Jerry’s contributes to the massive pollution of Vermont and US waterways by supporting industrial dairy which relies on GMO crops for animal feed. By sourcing organic milk, the company could clean up Vermont’s water and support organic dairy farmers who currently are forced to sell their milk at conventional prices because they lack markets,” Cummins said.

On July 25, 2017, The New York Times reported on tests of Ben & Jerry’s ice cream conducted by the OCA. Ten of 11 samples tested positive for glyphosate, the key ingredient in Monsanto’s Roundup herbicide, and/or AMPA, a metabolite of glyphosate. Three recent peer-reviewed studies link very low levels of glyphosate—lower than what was found in B&J’s ice cream—to fatty liver disease, cancer tumors, kidney damage and more.

OCA is calling for Ben & Jerry’s to immediately transition to using only organic ingredients, including milk, or face an international consumer boycott.

About Organic Consumers Association
The Organic Consumers Association is an online and grassroots non-profit 501(c)3 public-interest organization advocating on behalf of more than two million U.S. consumers for health, justice, and regeneration. For more information, please visit www.organicconsumers.org. @OCA_Press.

SOURCE Organic Consumers Association

Acura Reveals Striking New Design for 2018 Acura RLX; Debut Set for Monterey Automotive Week

August 10, 2017

2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid in Brilliant Red Metallic, the brand’s most sophisticated and best performing sedan ever.

TORRANCE, California, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Acura today unveiled a redesigned 2018 Acura RLX reflecting the brand’s new Precision Crafted Performance design direction to create a more substantial presence for Acura’s top-of-the-line luxury sports sedan. The 2018 Acura RLX will make its public debut during the prestigious Monterey Automotive Week, August 15-19 on the Monterey peninsula. The new RLX incorporates design cues to showcase its performance capabilities, including Acura’s signature diamond pentagon grille, a more sculpted hood, new wheel designs, bold, newly designed LED taillights, dual exhaust finishers and a gloss black rear diffuser.

The 2018 Acura RLX is the most sophisticated and best performing Acura sedan ever, with Sport Hybrid Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive™ (Sport Hybrid SH-AWD™) technology, shared with the NSX supercar, that creates a powerful and precise driving experience unmatched in the segment. Acura has simplified the RLX trim structure to make the brand’s innovative Sport Hybrid technology more desirable and accessible streamlining the offering to two well-equipped variants. The new 2018 Acura RLX will go on sale in November.

The 377 total system horsepower¹ RLX Sport Hybrid seamlessly integrates a direct-injected V-6 with three electric motors and Super Handling All-Wheel Drive™ for instant acceleration, precise handling, outstanding all-weather performance and excellent fuel economy. Based on developments from the NSX, the RLX Sport Hybrid powertrain and dynamic handling has been further optimized.

The 310-horsepower RLX with Precision All-Wheel Steer™ is now mated to a new 10-speed Automatic Transmission (10AT) delivering a more refined driving experience, as well as improved acceleration and passing times.

“This redesign of the 2018 Acura RLX is transformational, creating road presence and styling that better reflect underlying performance capabilities of the vehicle,” said Jon Ikeda, Acura vice president & general manager.

Standard features on the 2018 RLX Sport Hybrid include premium Krell Audio System, Surround View Camera, parking sensors, LED fog lights, remote engine start, ventilated and heated front seats, heated rear seats and steering wheel and more.

The 2018 RLX features the unique AcuraWatch™ suite of technologies, as standard equipment, and has been enhanced with the addition of Traffic Jam Assist, a first for Acura. Working in conjunction with Adaptive Cruise Control with Low Speed Follow, Traffic Jam Assist helps reduce driver stress in highly congested traffic situations by helping keep the vehicle in its lane and a set interval behind a car detected ahead.

AcuraWatch™ also includes Collision Mitigation Braking System (CMBS) with automatic emergency braking, Lane Departure Warning (LDW), Forward Collision Warning (FCW), Lane Keeping Assist (LKAS), Adaptive Cruise Control (ACC) with Low-Speed Follow and Road Departure Mitigation (RDM). AcuraWatch uses a millimeter wave radar and monocular camera sensing technology to detect other vehicles as well as lane markings and can help intervene to prevent or mitigate the severity of a collision.

The 2018 Acura RLX is complimented by three new exterior colors including two premium paint offerings – Brilliant Red Metallic and Majestic Black Pearl. Inside, the 2018 Acura RLX receives upgraded materials and touchpoints including a completely redesigned seat featuring high-contrast piping and stitching, as well as a new Espresso interior option, which adds sophistication to an interior with class-leading space and comfort.

The 2018 Acura RLX will be featured at multiple events throughout Monterey Automotive Week including the Carmel-By-The Sea Concours on the Avenue on Tuesday, August 15 and The Quail, A Motorsports Gathering, on Friday, August 18.

For More Information
Consumer information is available at http://www.acura.com. To join the Acura community on Facebook, visit http://www.facebook.com/acura. Additional media information including pricing, features and high-resolution photography is available at acuranews.com/channels/acura-automobiles.

About Acura
Acura is a leading automotive luxury nameplate that delivers Precision Crafted Performance, an original approach to technology and design that creates a new driving experience.

The Acura lineup features six distinctive models – the RLX premium, luxury sedan, the TLX performance luxury sedan, the ILX sport sedan, the 5-passenger RDX luxury crossover SUV, and the seven-passenger Acura MDX, America’s all-time best-selling three-row luxury SUV. Last spring, Acura launched its next-generation, electrified NSX supercar as a new and pinnacle expression of Acura Precision Crafted Performance.

¹ Combined system horsepower as measured by the peak, concurrent output of the three electric motors and gasoline engine.

The 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid interior receives upgraded materials and touchpoints including a completely redesigned seat featuring high-contrast piping and stitching, as well as a new Sea Coast leather steering wheel option, adding sophistication to an interior with class-leading space and comfort.

The 2018 Acura RLX Sport Hybrid is the most sophisticated and best performing Acura sedan ever, with Super-Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) technology, shared with the NSX supercar, that creates a powerful and precise driving experience unmatched in the segment.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543456/RLX18_001.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543455/RLX18_002.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543457/RLX18_007.jpg
Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543458/RLX18_010.jpg
Video – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qm_W76xBmjQ
Logo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/458749/acura_logo.jpg

SOURCE Acura

Tribal College and University Presidents Convene to Improve Native Student Outcomes

August 10, 2017

PRINCETON, New Jersey, Aug. 10, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Tribal college and university (TCU) presidents from across the country met last week to examine the critical role of data in addressing student enrollment, retention and success at their institutions serving Native American students.

Photo: http://mma.prnewswire.com/media/543699/TCU_Presidents_Convening.jpg

To meet their goal of continuing to improve Native students’ outcomes and better share the story of how American Indian Tribal higher education is transforming their students’ lives, the TCU presidents explored using data intelligence as a tool and their role as leaders and leadership within their institutions. Educational Testing Service (ETS) Center for Advocacy and Philanthropy and Strada Education Network hosted the two-day event in partnership with the American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC) and the American Indian College Fund.

“One of our advocacy goals is to raise awareness of the challenges that our Native American communities face in higher education and to help mitigate those challenges,” said Lenora Green, executive director of the ETS Center for Advocacy and Philanthropy. “When we support our Tribal Colleges and Universities, we support the students they serve.”

The convening opened with a keynote speech by Timothy Renick, vice provost and vice president of enrollment management and student success at Georgia State University (GSU). During his session, Renick discussed how GSU raised graduations rates by 22 percent and closed all achievement gaps. He accentuated the importance of data and assessment and outlined several practical and low-cost steps that tribal colleges can take to improve outcomes for their students.

The presidents cited facing many of the same issues as GSU, and continued the dialogue with panel discussions and guided conversations led by Carrie Billy, President and CEO of AIHEC. During the sessions, the TCU presidents of Diné College in Tsaile, Arizona; Salish Kootenai College in Pablo, Montana; and Oglala Lakota College in Kyle, South Dakota, discussed how to put GSU’s strategies into action and what steps their institutions are taking to improve American Indian higher education.

“We need to pool our resources and share and compare the outcomes,” said Billy. “With that information we can continuously move forward and create a better learning community.”

On the final day of the TCU Presidents convening, the sessions focused on student success. Throughout the day ETS researchers and higher education experts shared tools and strategies and answered questions to pave the way to tribal student success.

“TCUs are important contributors to the success of Native American students, and they are well-positioned to make an even greater impact in enhancing degree attainment and career outcomes by applying data-informed and innovative solutions,” said Dr. Lorenzo L. Esters, Strada Education Network vice president, philanthropy. Esters, who presented results from Strada Education’s Associate Degree Graduates Report with Gallup, urged TCUs to survey alumni to gain insights and help align graduates with the workforce. Through Strada Education’s partnership with Gallup, more than 2,500 U.S. adults whose highest degree earned was the associate degree were surveyed to assess their overall well-being after college based on five elements — purpose, social, community, physical and financial well-being.

Dhanfu Elston, vice president of strategy, guided pathways, and Purpose First at Complete College America, began the day by stressing the importance of guided pathways for students and more emphasis on career outcomes. Elston explained that TCUs must lead students on the correct path, including ensuring that students take at least 30 credit hours each year and advising students on selecting majors to avoid poor choices.

Academic advisors also play a definitive role in student success. The student-to-faculty ratio can make it difficult for academic advisors to make a difference, but Elston stressed that TCUs can elevate that position to a more important role of career advisor.

ETS Senior Assessment Strategist Dr. Ross Markle explained the importance of understanding the strengths and challenges that students bring to college. Noncognitive skills such as study skills, motivation, self-management and social connections can provide a stepping stone to addressing the strategies tribal students need to succeed.

Markle explained that TCUs must be able to identify risks for tribal students and change their support programs accordingly so their students can finish their degrees. ETS’ SuccessNavigator® assessment — designed to help colleges reach at-risk incoming students and improve retention and completion rates — can help to identify and measure these factors. The assessment is currently being tested at Fond du Lac Tribal Community College in Cloquet, Minnesota; Southwestern Indian Polytechnic Institute in Albuquerque, New Mexico; and Nebraska Indian Community College in Macy, Nebraska.

“Let’s not just look at the data we have based on retention rates and graduation rates,” said Charles M. Roessell, President of Diné College. “Let’s look at the data of these students before they come to us and find a way to align ourselves with that.”

The convening concluded with a final keynote speech from Richard Lui, journalist and anchor for MSNBC and NBC News. Lui stressed the importance of telling stories and encouraged the TCUs to do whatever it takes to get their stories to the public.

Despite declining TCU enrollments and negativity surrounding reservations, the tribal presidents continuously strive to improve Native students’ education and share their stories.

“We are beacons of hope for our people on our reservations,” said Thomas Shortbull, president of Oglala Lakota College. “It makes all the trials and tribulations we go through as presidents worthwhile.”

About ETS
At ETS, we advance quality and equity in education for people worldwide by creating assessments based on rigorous research. ETS serves individuals, educational institutions and government agencies by providing customized solutions for teacher certification, English language learning, and elementary, secondary and postsecondary education, and by conducting education research, analysis and policy studies. Founded as a nonprofit in 1947, ETS develops, administers and scores more than 50 million tests annually — including the TOEFL^® and TOEIC ^® tests, the GRE ^® tests and The Praxis Series ^®assessments — in more than 180 countries, at over 10,000 locations worldwide. www.ets.org

About Strada Education Network
Strada Education Network^SM, formerly USA Funds^®, is a new kind of nonprofit organization that takes a fresh approach to improving the college-to-career connection. Through a unique combination of strategic philanthropy, research and insights, and innovative solutions, Strada Education Network advances Completion With a Purpose^®, building a more purposeful path for America’s students to rewarding careers and fulfilling lives. Learn more at StradaEducation.org.

SOURCE Educational Testing Service

(Español) Aceite de Canola, Beneficia tu Salud y Perfecciona tus Parrilladas

August 10, 2017

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Tru by Hilton Set to be Developed in Orlando, Florida

August 9, 2017

MIAMI and MCLEAN, Virginia, Aug. 9, 2017 /PRNewswire-HISPANIC PR WIRE/ — Hilton (NYSE: HLT) and Epelboim Development Group announced today a new development deal to build an all-new Tru by Hilton in Orlando, Florida, bringing the innovative, midscale hotel brand to a new market. The eight-story, 259-room hotel will be the largest Tru by Hilton property to date and will be located just south of the Orange County Convention Center.

Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Center Area, which is expected to open in October 2019, is one of the brand’s 425 hotels in various stages of development. With approximately 10 new properties slated to open this year, Tru by Hilton has achieved the fastest-growing pipeline in the history of the hospitality industry.

“I am both honored and excited to partner with Tru by Hilton to provide Orlando with a one-of-a kind hotel experience,” said Noel Epelboim, CEO, Epelboim Development Group. “This expansion into Orlando is helping Epelboim reach its objective of developing top-quality hotels that are operated by locally based management companies and generating jobs for the region’s economy.”

The new Tru by Hilton Orlando Convention Center Area is part of a brand that thinks differently and is a game changer in the midscale segment:

All new-build brand, which drives the consistency of experience for our guests
Reimagined, enlarged lobby with 2,880 square feet of public space with areas to work, play games, eat or lounge
Breakfast is reinvented with the build-your-own complimentary “Top It” breakfast bar that has 30 sweet and savory toppings so guests can create their own healthy or indulgent morning masterpieces
Rooms are modern and designed to make every square foot count, with natural light from oversized windows, 55″ TV with 150 DIRECTV channels and bright all-shower bathrooms with premium bath amenities
National and local brand gourmet snacks and drinks – including single-serve beer and wine – are available 24/7 in the “Eat. & Sip.” market located in the heart of the lobby
Tech savvy hotel with mobile check-in, Digital Key, free superfast Wi-Fi, remote printing, social media wall, lobby and market iPads, super-charging stations and accessibility to outlets everywhere
A fitness center that leverages the latest fitness trends through barre, TRX bands, free weights, cardio and flexibility gear, plus guests can get workout ideas from the fitness center tablet
All the benefits of a Hilton Honors® membership are available to Tru by Hilton guests

“Tru is a game-changing brand, as evidenced by its statement-making entrance to the midscale category and now the Orlando market,” said Alexandra Jaritz, global head, Tru by Hilton. “We know the brand will have broad appeal to travelers who span generations but have a similar ‘zest for life’ mindset. At its core, Tru by Hilton is value-engineered to provide guests with a contemporary, consistent and fresh experience in an affordable way, while at the same time being operationally efficient for our owners.”

Hilton Orlando Convention Center Area will participate in Hilton Honors, the award-winning loyalty program serving more than 62 million members. Hilton Honors offers members exclusive benefits and more ways to redeem points than any other guest loyalty program.

More information about Tru by Hilton can be found at www.trubyhilton.com. Media may access high-resolution renderings and more by visiting www.news.trubyhilton.com.

CONTACT:
Karla Herrera
Hilton
+1.703.883.6857
[email protected]

Daniela Martucci
Epelboim Development Group
+1.786.452.0331
[email protected]

SOURCE Epelboim Development Group

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