Misty Her, a Fresno State alumnae and the only Hmong woman serving as an instructional superintendent in the United States, will be the keynote speaker at the CSU Journey to Success Conference from 8:30 a.m. to 3:30 p.m. Saturday, April 30 at Fresno State.

The free, public event, which will be in North Gym 118, targets Asian American and Pacific Islander students and parents as part of the California State University’s Asian American Pacific Islander Initiative (CSU AAPI).

Her, who was the 2011 Kremen School of Education and Human Development Alumni Award recipient and who currently works for Fresno Unified School District, will speak from 9:15-10 a.m.

More than 400 7th-12th graders and community college students and their parents are expected for the event, said Phong Yang, director of Undergraduate Student Recruitment who is coordinating the event with Martina Granados, director of Outreach and Special Programs.

They are coordinating the local effort with the CSU system and community partners through an initiative that works to ensure that Asian and Pacific Islander students from traditionally underserved communities in California are prepared for the academic requirements and rigors of college.

The event is designed to address disparities in education by ensuring Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders receive important information about college admissions and requirements.

Yang said middle and high school students from throughout the Fresno Unified School District as well as other surrounding districts such as Sanger, Central and Clovis are expected to attend.

They will engage with trained CSU AAPI student ambassadors, college professionals and other students and parents going through the same journey. They will also participate in workshops to learn about financial aid, career options and college life. Cultural events and cultural performances are also a part of the event.

For more information, contact conference coordinators Shur Lee and Lian Vang at 559.278.6874 or 559.278.1014.

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