Mariano Espinoza, MIFN Executive Director receives ‘25 on the Rise’ leadership award!
As the Executive Director of the Minnesota Immigrant Freedom Network, Mariano Espinoza has led the vision to gain in-state tuition for immigrant youth – overseeing the organizing of over 1,000 students, teachers, college volunteers, and allies statewide to come together around education policy and civic engagement. Mariano was recently honored with the “25 on the Rise” award bestowed upon by the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce of Minnesota, thereby recognizing him as a driven leader who creates and shapes the future. Mariano is an active in strengthening the field of Latino serving community-based organizations as a member of the Minnesota Collaborative of Latino Nonprofits. He participates in bridging the urban and rural divide as an elected Board Member of the Worthington Area Language Academy, a K-8 dual-immersion charter school where subjects are taught in both English and Spanish to help students become not only bilingual but also bi-literate. Mariano’s skills have elevated him to be sought at the transnational and global level, he has advised international figures from China and the United Kingdom on public policy, workplace rights and immigrant integration through the Minnesota International Center’s International Visitor Leadership Program. Mariano also served as an elected representative of the Institute of Mexicans Living Abroad, a civic leadership entity managed by the Mexican Consulate. During his free time, Mariano enjoys sharing the richness of his Puebla roots by cooking traditional recipes and sharing a meal over a Vikings game. We congratulate Mariano on his steadfast vision and comittment to lead our communities into the future!
Alondra Espejel, MIFN Associate Director, co-publishes article for college counselors!
This winter the editors for Journal and Bulletin of the National Association for College Admission Counseling (NACAC) accepted and published Alondra Espejel’s and Jennifer Godinez’s (Associate Director, Minnesota College Access Network) article titled “The Minnesota Immigrant College Access Movement: History, Policy and Recommendations to Admission Counselors.” We encourage all community members, students, policy wonks, and advocates to check out the article and share your views with us:
http://groups.google.com/group/immigrant-freedom-network/files







