Conferences
MSC SCOLA says, “I am here to stay,” in 34th annual conference
by jarrexi
“Yo Soy Yo Y Mis Circunstancias: I Am Here To Stay,” was the theme of the 34th annual MSC Student Conference On Latinx Affairs. The three-day blended conference provided attendees the opportunity to learn about issues affecting the Latinx community from top leaders involved in Latinx empowerment and education.
The March 31-April 2nd event saw representatives from government, academia, members of the media and leaders from the business sectors share knowledge and expertise during concurrent sessions.
Considered to be the largest student-led conference on Latinx affairs, this year’s event was focused on those attending college for the first time and hoped to inspire attendees to reflect on their own circumstances and that the past doesn’t define them.
“MSC SCOLA is a safe space for highlighting key issues faced by students of all backgrounds within the Latinx community,” said Daniella Hernandez, MSC SCOLA vice chair of administration. “The conference aims to find ways to combat these issues as well as provide our students with tools to move forth after the conference in their day-to-day lives.”
The conference is designed to be a place of empowerment as well as a place to create spaces for difficult dialogues for Latinx students.
“MSC SCOLA is a place for Latinx students to be heard. It is important for Latinx students at Texas A&M University to have a safe place to discuss important topics while having the opportunity to network and connect with others of similar backgrounds,” said Mariana De Hoyos, MSC SCOLA vice-chair of programs. “This conference is an opportunity for students to hear and see triumphs within the Latinx community and show them their dreams truly have no boundaries.”
Not only are the students of MSC SCOLA wanting to create a stimulating and transformational learning experience, everyone involved is hoping to foster healthy interaction leading to a life-changing experience.
“The 34th Annual MSC Student Conference On Latinx Affairs has always been academic space inviting students to take part in interactive learning, to engage in open dialogues,” said Dr. Sueli Rocha-Rojas, program advisor. “The conference has created a space where students can connect cultural and socially with others who have shared their experience.”
- Viola Canales, lecturer at Stanford Law School
- John E. Hurtado, interim vice chancellor and dean of the College of Engineering at Texas A&M University and interim agency director of the Texas A&M Engineering Experiment Station
- Carlos Andres Comez, a Colombian American poet, speaker, actor, and equity and inclusion strategist from New York City
- Felipe Hinojosa, associate professor of history at Texas A&M University; director for the Carlos H. Cantu Hispanic Education & Opportunity Endowment at Texas A&M
- Carlos Morton, professor of theater at the University of California, Santa Barbara
67th MSC SCONA challenged delegates to focus on the evolving state of our national security efforts
by jarrexi
The MSC recently hosted “Fortifying the Foundation: Strategies for Safeguarding American National Security,” as the 67th MSC Student Conference On National Affairs. The focus of the conference addressed the many challenges facing America today, both at home and abroad, through the development of innovative policy solutions.
The Feb. 10-12 conference hosted 115 delegates participating in 13 roundtable discussions. Delegates from the Texas A&M community were placed with delegates from around the nation, then paired with an expert facilitator to analyze national security issues ranging from improving U.S. relations abroad to the implications of artificial intelligence. Roundtable discussions resulted in the production of a relevant policy paper coupled with a presentation of what policy paper each roundtable created.
“Over the course of the conference, delegates will have the opportunity to dive into issues currently threatening our national security and assess our ability to combat them,” said Sophia Stone ’23, MSC SCONA chair. “They were able to take the time to learn from speakers, facilitators, or other delegates. Our goal for this conference is for delegates from around the United States to think critically about the issues at hand and consider the perspectives and experiences of those around them."
In collaboration with the U.S. Army War College, MSC SCONA hosts the International Strategic Crisis Negotiation Exercise (ISCNE) as a pre-conference event. The ISCNE is an annual simulation of a transnational diplomatic crisis in which students roleplay delegations from different countries to negotiate toward a solution over an intense two-day period. This year’s scenario was a diplomatic simulation of the arctic region with the following countries participating: the United States, Russia, China, Norway, Denmark, Finland and Canada.
The conference featured the following keynote speakers:
- Admiral William R. McRaven, USN, Ret. Ninth Commander of U.S. Special Operations Command
- General David H. Berger, USMC 38th Commandant of the Marine Corps
- Lieutenant General S. Clinton Hinote, USAF, Deputy Chief of Staff for Strategy, Integration, and Requirements
- Major General David C. Hill, Major General David (Dave) C. Hill serves as the 53rd Commandant of the U.S. Army War College
“MSC SCONA’s aim is to provide our delegate a unique experience with some of the nation’s top military minds, military leaders and academic scholars,” Stone said. MSC SCONA 67 concluded with remarks from Major General David C. Hill.
MSC Awards 2020
by jarrexi
Each year the MSC Awards give us an opportunity to showcase and celebrate the many accomplishments of our student leaders and programs. We celebrate the growth of our students as well as the influence of our diverse programs and services that impact our campus and community.
- Luke J. Altendorf, director of the MSC
Watch the 2020 MSC Awards
MSC Co-Program of the Year
2020 Afro-Latinx Festival
MSC First-Year Involvement Award
Marissa Amar, Jackson Ames, Kazybek Atausha, Liam Burhans, Raegan Cantu, Dalton Demartini, Neha Deshmukh, Aaron Escoto, Emily Havens, Andrew Hindman, Cameron Hoholik-Carlson, Brian Huang, Emily Hudson, Josh Johnson, Brandon Le, Magnolia LInd, Jesse Long, Lily Mazzocchi, Luis Miner, Emilio Morales Cortazar, Hannah Neighbors, Hunter Oakes, Barbara Reyes, Laura Riveria, Eliana Rodriguez, Devon Roeming, Caley Teague, Juan "JJ" Torres, Victoria Van, Spencer Wheeler, Annie Wipke
MSC Team of the Year
45th MSC CAMAC Executive Team
Lawrence Sullivan Ross Award
Jennifer Santos
MSC Student Employee of the Year
Jenna VerColen
J. Wayne Stark
Outstanding Leadership Award
Ana Barbosa, Delaney Couri, Cole Heath, Stanzi Rowe, Javier Santana, Marlies Westernmann
Harold W. Gaines
Excellent Service Award
Casey Black, Angelica Frazer, Laura Key, Zachary Summers
MSC Outstanding New Program
The Service FLOdown
MSC Director's Award
Kristen Blanke, Nick Hernandez, Kayla Hood, Laura Key, McKinsey Meeker, Kimberly Morrison, Liam Norris, Hannah Olpinski, Alexandra Schroeder, McKenzie Starnes
MSC Diversity Program of the Year
DRAGgieland
James R. Reynold Award
Mark Sterling
MSC Outstanding
Community Outreach Award
Angel Tree
MSC Outstanding Leadership Development Program Award
65th MSC Student Conference On National Affairs
MSC President's Award
Sam Dixon, Saul Dominguez, Jennifer Egan, Alec Esqueda, Zach Griffin, Cole Guidry, Kal Jordan-DeBruin, Nathan Kinninger, Jack Oldham, Mark Sterling
Luke J. Altendorf
Leadership Award
Gabriella Webster
MSC Committee Chair of the Year
Saul Dominguez
MSC Committee of the Year
MSC Freshman In Service and Hosting
MSC Program of the Year
Why Diplomacy Matters
Thomas H. Rountree Award
Oriana Koot and Joella Bitter Leon