Migrant Education Region IV

State Migrant Leadership Program

A longstanding annual summer project sponsored by the California Department of Education's Migrant Education Program is the Migrant State Student Leadership Institute. Since its inception more than ten years ago, the project has been held at universities in Monterey, Sacramento, and most recently in Los Angeles at UCLA. Approximately 200 students from more than 22 Migrant regions throughout the state participate.

As per the 2001 "No Child Left Behind Act", the principle goal of the CDE Migrant Leadership Institute is to close the achievement gap between disadvantaged and minority students and their peers. Students with leadership potential are provided with the opportunity to participate in a rigorous, 1-4 week residential academic program emphasizing leadership. Information on college admission requirements and financial assistance is also provided. upon successful completion of the institute, students receive university or high school credit.

The leadership institute is an intesnive program that focuses on academic achievement in the sciences, humanities, and social sciences. Extra-curricular activities connect out-of-class field learning experiences to course content and the development of leadership skills. Speakers who are prominent in their respective fields also address students about issues of importance.

For more information please contact Marsha Wernick, Migrant Education Coordinator.

"The Migrant Student Leadership Institute has opened up my eyes and allowed me to see things from a new and different perspective. I know that this program has made a big difference in my life and also in the lives of many students. I am looking forward to taking what I have learned from the program and applying it to my life." - Mai Yang Xiong

"You have made us comprehend that we are the future, and it looks like it's a future filled with young and successful people striving for excellence, a future filled with hope and promise." - Marie Haritzalde