Cultural & Identity Programs
Youth Programs
Southern Oregon Latinx Leadership
Student Conference
Southern Oregon Latinx Leadership
The Southern Oregon Latinx Leadership (SOLL) conference has offered a venue in which Latino/a/x youth are empowered to become more involved in their schools or community, can deepen their understanding of Latino/a/x culture and issues, and are exposed to various educational and career opportunities.
2027 Conference
2027 Conference
The Southern Oregon Latinx Leadership (SOLL) conference will be held on the Southern Oregon University campus on March 12, 2027.
Conference Goals
Through this conference, students should:
- Feel empowered to become more involved in their schools/community.
- Deepen their understanding of Latino/a/x culture and contemporary issues.
- Be exposed to various educational and career opportunities.
Pre-Conference Logistics for Schools
Location
The Southern Oregon Latinx Leadership (SOLL) Conference will take place on the Southern Oregon University campus.
Arriving to Campus
Conference check-in location to be determined. All conference parking (including Buses, Van and Cars) must park in Lot 36 on Mountain Avenue after dropping off students. Conference volunteers will be stationed at the drop-off site and will direct students into the welcoming session.
If buses are not staying for the conference, they can then depart after students and staff have unloaded. If buses are staying, they are directed to park in the back of Lot 36. To depart, at the end of the conference, students should walk with their chaperone to their bus parked in lot 36.
Conference Logistics for Schools
Check-In
Each student will check-In (by last name) at the registration tables. Chaperones will also check in at this location. Students will be required to wear their t-shirt and a name badge throughout the day of the conference that they will receive at check-in. Chaperones also will be required to wear their conference name badge.
Group Assignments
There are no group assignments. Students have the opportunity to choose which workshop they want to attend throughout the conference. Students will have the opportunity to choose their workshops, however, we will be keeping a cap per workshop to ensure all sessions have a similar number of participants. The workshops are monitored for space by SOU Ambassadors and presenters. SOU Ambassadors are available to support students in locating their workshop throughout the day. School Chaperones are responsible for their students during transitional periods.
Luncheon
All conference participants will be provided lunch. We recommend chaperones predetermine a gathering spot to ensure all their students arrive at lunch accordingly. Please help monitor during the luncheon.
College & Career Fair
The College & Career Fair will take place at the Lithia Pavilion Small Gym before and after lunch. This is located next to Raider Village and The Hawk.
Evaluations
The students will be filling out conference evaluations at the end of their last session. Group leaders will distribute and collect the evaluations as students depart their last session. Groups will proceed to the Stevenson Union Arena (downstairs) for the closing dance.
Closing Dance
The conference will end with a dance held in the Stevenson Union.
Departure
Each school will need to have a prearranged time and place to meet their students in the Stevenson Union for departure. School groups will need to walk together to their bus/vans (see School Bus Arrival/Departures section). Please ensure that all students are on the bus/van, and that they have all their belongings.
Presenter Information & Calls for Proposals
Presenter Information
The Southern Oregon Latinx Leadership (SOLL) Conference is held on the campus of Southern Oregon University campus each winter. This annual event will provide a forum for Latino youth (grades 9 – 12) from high schools in southern Oregon to meet community leaders, take part in leadership and cultural workshops and learn about college access.
We are hoping that our presenters will offer practical experience to help attendees increase their understanding, knowledge and skills in one of the particular strands of interest listed:
- Leadership (Latino/a/x Historical Leaders, Community Leadership, Leadership Skills, etc.)
- College and Careers (Financial Aid, Scholarships, College preparation, Admissions, etc.)
- Culture, Identity and Arts (Poetry, Music, Art, theater, etc.)
- Life Skills (financial planning, job skills, work/school/family life balance)
The goals of our sessions are to:
- Enhance the skills of participants and/or provide participants with useful tools.
- Actively engage the audience in the session.
- Reflect diverse perspectives by offering different viewpoints or including presenter(s) from different organizations (if more than one presenter).
What you need to know about presenting at the conference:
- There are three sessions available – two in the morning, one in the afternoon. Each are 45 minutes in length.
- Presenters are encouraged to bring their own computers with PowerPoint viewer software. LCD projectors and screens will be available upon request.
- Presenters will be provided with a complimentary lunch.
Please note that per SOU policy, accepted presenters will need to submit a Consent to Criminal History Check form and a Volunteer Assumption of Risk form after notification of acceptance.
College and Career Fair Information
College and Career Fair Information
A goal of the program is to encourage Latino/a/x youth to pursue educational opportunities beyond high school. To showcase the variety of opportunities available, the conference invites higher education institutions and non-traditional educational organizations to table during our College and Career Fair portion of the event.
Two and four-year institutions, trade vocational programs, and professional career organizations are encouraged to table and meet with the 200+ student leaders from Jackson, Josephine, and Klamath county high schools. This fair will take place from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m.
There is a $100 exhibitor registration fee; however, the fee is waived for local institutions or organizations and any trades or career and technical education programs in Oregon. All exhibitors will have to pass a background check to participate in the event.
For questions regarding tabling, contact our Youth Programs team at 541.552.6691 or latinoprograms@sou.edu.
Keynote Speaker
Keynote Speaker
More information to come!
