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We welcome you to the Summer 2026 edition of our quarterly newsletter!
The sun is shining bright across our centers who are busy hosting STEM academies and immersed in college tours within campuses abuzz with midsummer programming.
We hope this edition enlightens you on ways to learn in the summertime and beyond!
 AT&T Connected Learning - LinkedIn Workshop Recap
Our AT&T Connected Learning programming continues to equip learners of all ages with the digital skills necessary to thrive in today's evolving (and competitive!) professional landscape.
On May 27, 2026, LNESC hosted “The Basics of LinkedIn,” a virtual workshop offered in collaboration with AT&T Connected Learning. The session was led by National Office staff, including Galilea Sejas-Machado, Senior Community Impact & Programs Coordinator, and Vivian Llanes, our Special Projects Intern.
Together, they walked 72 participants through tips on how to grow their professional network, confidently search for jobs, and tips for building a strong LinkedIn profile.
All attendees were provided access to set up their LinkedIn Learning account. We also had four lucky attendees win gift cards worth $100, $75, $50, and $25.
This workshop reflects our continued commitment to expanding digital literacy.
As always, learn more about upcoming workshops and more by following us @LNESC!
Ford Auto Tech Scholarship
This is a friendly reminder that applications for the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship are open, and the deadline is fast approaching!
In collaboration with Ford Dealers, Ford Philanthropy is welcoming the next generation of auto technicians by awarding $5,000 scholarships to students pursuing careers in today's automotive technology industry, including diesel programs.
 Spanning 43 states and 600+ eligible schools, the Ford Auto Tech Scholarship will grant 800 need-based awards to current and future students enrolled in post-secondary auto, diesel, or auto/diesel technician training programs across the U.S.
This need-based scholarship is applied directly to a student's tuition account and can be used to cover the full cost of attendance, including tuition, tools, living expenses, and transportation.
Our partnership with Ford Philanthropy and the TechForce Foundation reflects a shared vision to empower students and make the dream of college a reality.
Eligibility
✔ Needs based scholarship. Students must have a completed FAFSA form
✔ U.S. citizen or permanent resident
✔ Enrolled auto/diesel student in good standing at an eligible post-secondary institution
🔗 See the full list of schools in the Eligibility section here.
Applications are now open! Apply by the August 31, 2026 deadline.
ℹ️ Questions? Attend Our Upcoming Info Session
 Date: Thursday, August 20, 2026
Time: 4 PM PT / 5 PM MT / 6 PM CT / 7 PM ET
Location: Virtual
* Zoom sent shortly after sign-up
The session will be led by Roger Romero, our Programs Manager at LNESC Dallas, who will be available to answer any questions about the scholarship.
➜ To RSVP, click below or scan the QR code above.
 💵 As a bonus, we will be raffling off two $25 VISA gift cards to two lucky attendees!
We encourage eligible students to take advantage of this exciting opportunity.
 Learning & Growing Together
at the LNESC National Retreat
This past May, the LNESC National Office brought together Center Directors, Program Coordinators, and staff from across the country for the LNESC National Virtual Retreat.
The two-day gathering was held on May 13 and 14, 2026 and offered a dedicated space to reaffirm our shared values and strengthen connections across our national network.
What did we do?
Staff attended tailored sessions led by an external facilitator, which provided resources on building professional growth from within LNESC. We explored how to stay responsive in an evolving education landscape, such as integrating technology like AI in the classroom and implementing successful program execution.
Staff also engaged in brainstorming sessions on how we can better connect with funders, students, and the parents we serve. Attendees were also provided a walk-through of LNESC’s official branding, which is another way we can unify our voice and scale the impact of the LNESC mission.
What’s next?
The retreat provided all LNESC staff with the tools necessary to scale the impact of our mission. The new brand kits will be utilized across social media to affirm our shared mission across 16 centers. Collaboration across centers is understood as key for turning challenges into opportunities and remaining responsive to changing needs for students in communities with limited opportunities.
And of course, more than a series of workshops, the retreat reflected what makes LNESC strong.
Our strength is found through our network of dedicated educators, rooted locally, and connected nationally to our mission!
We look forward to seeing the next chapter of growth at LNESC.
Ford Philanthropy Scholarship Opens for STEM Leaders
 We are proud to share that the Ford Philanthropy Scholarship is open once again for the next generation of STEM leaders.
The program provides two-year and four-year college students from underrepresented communities, pursuing careers in STEM fields connected to the automotive and mobility industries with scholarships of up to $10,000.
The scholarship funds experience crucial to developing Future of Work skills, to help students succeed in their studies and well beyond graduation!
What’s covered?
The Ford Philanthropy Scholarship can be used to cover a wide array of indirect costs related to program completion, including:
➤ Tuition and Fees
➤ Room and Board
➤ Books, Supplies, and Equipment
➤ Building Career-Related Professional Skills
What are the eligibility requirements?
✓ Must major in Computer Science, Data Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Software Engineering
✓ Must have a cumulative GPA of 3.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale
✓ Must attend an accredited college or university full-time in select regions.
🔗 Learn more about eligible regions, majors, and requirements here.
 Applications are open through the September 1, 2026 deadline.
 Exciting Updates Coming to Our Resources Webpage!
Big things are on the way.
This summer, our Resources webpage is being reimagined into a dynamic (and colorful!) LNESC Resource Hub.
For students in high school through graduate school, and for the parents who support them, our updated resource hub will provide specialized resources for all.
This includes but is not limited to the following resources: academic support, financial aid, immigrant students, mental health, career exploration, and accessibility support.
We are also transforming our External Scholarships list into a fully searchable database. You will soon be able to filter 300+ opportunities by major, specialization, location, and deadline, and more.
This will put the right scholarship within reach in just a few clicks. Of course, this is all part of our continued commitment to ensure that all students have the tools they need to thrive in their educational journey.
Keep an eye on our Resources webpage in the coming weeks for this exciting update!
 LNESC Colorado Springs
In Colorado Springs, summer is one of the busiest and most rewarding stretches of the year for the Colorado LNESC team!
The center's Upward Bound and Upward Bound Math & Science summer components run from June 1 through July 10. They are abuzz with activity every year, with this year being the 14th summer of programming for LNESC Colorado Springs!
Approximately 40 students are taking part this year. 26 high school students are attending a six-week session at Harrison School District Two's “Zalman Center,” while 13 recent high school graduates are enrolled in the Summer Bridge Component.
 As always, the program has allowed for immersive, hands-on learning for these students.
On June 12, students spent a day at the Space Foundation, a Colorado Springs nonprofit founded in 1983 to advance the global space community. The nonprofit provides STEM activities and mentorship and has been a longtime center partner.
 They engaged in breakout groups and activities alongside other fellow attendees on the trip. Later, students were excited to be provided with a tour of the facility, as it allowed them to connect the classroom to dynamic careers in STEM and science.
Students also gave back to their community this summer. On June 26, 70 current and alumni students took part in the LNESC Community Service Day.
They walked to selected neighborhoods to share voter registration information and the importance of civic participation.
Looking ahead, this year's Merit Trip from July 13 to 15 will allow students to venture into Denver to visit the University of Colorado Boulder, the University of Colorado Denver, Metropolitan State University, and the Community College of Denver, along with the Colorado Capitol and other cultural and educational destinations.
These experiences equip students to excel academically and brings an opportunity for college to be within reach for all who dare to dream!LNESC Houston
In Houston, summer has kept the center outside in the sunshine and inside the classroom for rich learning experiences. The Upward Bound Math & Science (UBMS) program has been busy with college preparation, hands-on science activities, and a few unforgettable adventures.
The summer has centered on getting students college-ready through UBMS’s special programming. During UBMS College 101 sessions, students stepped up to offer presentations on majors, careers, and the real requirements of applying, from first-year students and transfer admissions to what it takes to reach a goal like becoming an anesthesiologist. This allowed them to develop crucial leadership skills and collaborate effectively with their peers. They were able to outline their dream career in their own words and how they plan to prepare for the profession in college.
STEM exploration does not stand still in the summertime. This year, STEM learning has been refreshingly hands-on!
In one memorable week, students met Nelly, a milk snake, and engaged in up-close observation with nature’s most fascinating reptiles. They discovered how even a small, non-venomous snake supports the ecosystem. On other days, students could be found in the computer lab building block-based coding and engaged in game-design activities, while also turning ordinary computer screens to 3D laboratories.
In Houston, students have also been busy with college campus tours. Students explored college life firsthand at the Texas A&M University at the Galveston campus, taking in the waterfront and picturing themselves as future Aggies. On a STEM field trip that turned physics into pure adrenaline, they even went zip lining and rock climbing. This allowed them to feel gravity, velocity, and friction firsthand, while building trust with their peers through outdoor team challenges.
You can watch the UBMS crew flying through science here.
This summer, students at LNESC Houston are learning about the power of curiosity and how it can prepare learners for lasting educational and professional success!
In this edition, we are proud to spotlight two staff members who bring dedication, vision, and heart to the LNESC community. These legacy staff members recently took part in our National Virtual Retreat and helped shape the future of our impact.
 
 Few people embody the spirit of LNESC quite like Rose Ann Blanco. As the longest-serving leader in the network, she has spent her career in Houston opening pathways for students, and, in her own words, for several generations of them.
She has been with LNESC for over 50 years and counting!
Rose Ann has seen LNESC evolve across the decades. She often recalls entering LNESC in the era of the electronic typewriter, then the huge Macs and Compaqs gifted to the Houston center, and now a classroom full of desktops, laptops, iPads, and iPhones. Through every shift in technology and education, her focus on the students she serves has been unwavering.
At the National Retreat this past May, she reflected on the power of connecting with colleagues who carry the same mission across different cities.
On her most meaningful takeaway from the retreat, Rose Ann said the following:
“I think putting a face to a name and hearing that person speak about the same conditions, experiences, and solutions that I have also experienced. I also realized have some wonderful experiences opening pathways to several generations, and so have my partners in different cities.
Even though centers span the nation, we work independently in diverse communities. This means there is infinite knowledge to be shared at the national and center level. It was not like that when I joined, but now, technology makes this possible!”
She spoke with conviction about LNESC’s place in the field. “All of us were very positive about LNESC. The sessions acknowledge the valuable work of LNESC in the education sector.’ She went on to highlight that the organization spearheaded was one of the first local and national college readiness programs in the country.
Looking ahead, Rose Ann plans to bring the retreat’s lessons home, encouraging her staff to keep making school and community presentations while using new tools from PUENTES to connect with parents and students in the digital age.
Rose Ann's decades of leadership, and the generations of students she has reached, reflect the very heart of LNESC’s commitment to adapt and continuously serve our communities nationwide.
 For Shane Weller, Director of LNESC Philadelphia, strong leadership means giving students and staff tools to work right away.
During our National Retreat, what he valued most was walking away with something tangible.
“The best retreats leave you with more tools that you can work with,” he shared. “We walked away with an actual resource, rather than an idea.”
He was also struck by how much LNESC leaders were willing to share, noting that “Directors everywhere face some of the same issues.”
Shane will apply the retreat's brand kit and marketing materials across presentations for schools, funders, parents, and students.
In terms of what he would like to see in the future for LNESC, Shane is interested in supporting students who no longer see themselves in the traditional four-year college path. He is keen to explore how LNESC can support these students with navigating alternate pathways. This includes earning micro-credentials like CPR or food handler certifications. These practical skills can open doors to careers in fields like supply chain, culinary management, and quality assurance. He emphasized that he is looking forward to future retreats to gain new resources on these subjects. This will allow us to effectively collaborate and deploy scalable programming across our network.
Why? Shane believes in meeting students where they are and widening the horizon from there is how we can benefit students most.
On this subject, he added, “The world and landscape are changing quickly. The pendulum will swing back at some point, but even then, some things happening now will still be in place and are here to stay. This includes things like AI, students views on traditional 4-year colleges, workforce development, and more. In our next retreat, I am looking forward to seeing how we can collaborate and explore capacity-building to engage youth in this way.”
Looking forward, he hopes LNESC continues to help every student find a path that fits by adapting our educational programming to meet community needs.
Shane's focus on tangible, future-ready opportunities reflect exactly the kind of leadership that helps LNESC students thrive!
We are proud to celebrate leaders like Rose Ann and Shane at LNESC. Their leadership continues to shape the impact of our mission and the futures of the students we serve!
Summer has a rhythm all its own. The alarms go quiet, the schedule opens, and for a few months the days are yours to shape. That freedom is a gift. It is also an invitation to take care of yourself in ways the school year rarely leaves time for.
Healthy living is not something you switch on in the fall. It is built in the small choices you make all summer long, in how you move, eat, rest, and care for your mind.
Below, you will find a few ways to stay healthy and active this summer!
 Get Moving and Stay Active
Movement is one of the simplest ways to feel better, sleep better, and think more clearly. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that children and teens get 60 minutes of physical activity a day, and summer makes that easier than any other time of year.
 Summer changes the rhythm of family life. The structure of the school year falls away, and three open months can feel both freeing and a little daunting. Without the built-in routine of classes, it takes intention to keep children healthy, active, and engaged.
The good news is that you do not need elaborate plans or a packed calendar. Small, consistent habits, in movement, nutrition, sleep, and connection, do the most to help your child thrive. Below, you will find a few ways to support your child's healthy living and learning this summer.
Build Healthy Eating and Sleep Routines
 Good nutrition and steady sleep are the foundations of a healthy summer.
Try to keep regular mealtimes and involve your child in planning and preparing meals. MyPlate.gov offers simple, affordable ideas for balanced eating, and if free summer meals would ease the load, the USDA Summer Meals for Kids Site Finder lists no-cost sites nearby.
Your contributions are what help us continue with our educational and leadership programs. Together we can continue making an impact in our communities.
Support LNESC today by making a donation.  
Established in 1973, LULAC National Educational Service Centers (LNESC) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit that provides scholarships, educational programming, resources, and leadership empowerment to students across the United States and Puerto Rico.
The mission of LNESC is to advance educational excellence and leadership development programs to create lifelong learners and leaders in communities with limited opportunities. We build our community’s strength by empowering students to reach their highest potential.
For more information, visit our website.
   
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