As one of five siblings growing up in Texas , Cruz ’ s Mexican heritage inspired her to pursue Chicano studies in college , where she found a passion not only for Chicano culture but also for teaching . After volunteering with the League of United Latin American Citizens ( LULAC ) for 35 years , she found an opportunity to work with the agricultural community as the director of LULAC National Educational Service Centers ( LNESC ) Oxnard in California . There , she prepares low-income Latino youth for higher education and career success through a variety of educational classes , development courses , and career and networking opportunities .
The program is both incredibly important and deeply personal to Cruz .
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Pasion and her father , Alfonso Pasion
“ This is an opportunity for their children to go in a different direction . A lot of times , kids want to succeed so that they can take care of their families . And that ’ s a load in the Latino culture .”
— Dr . Maria Elena Cruz
BRINGING STEM TO OXNARD STUDENTS Oxnard is a seaside town about 60 miles west of Los Angeles that ’ s in close proximity to several large migrant communities . Many of the students who attend school in the area go home to caregivers who may not speak English or who may not be home due to hours spent working in the neighboring agricultural fields .
“ This is an opportunity for their children to go in a different direction . A lot of times , kids want to succeed so that they can take care of their families . And that ’ s a load in the Latino culture ,” adds Cruz . “ With these kids , you find that motivation . We just have to guide them . We have to be able to let them know that there are opportunities out there that they may not even know of .”