| October 2010-February 2011 | Application and Selection |
| March – May, 2011 | Líderes Program Preparation and Student Planning |
| May- July 2011 | Service Learning Phase |
| June- July 2011 | Leadership Conference, Research Symposium, Scholarship Awards |
Application and Selection (October 2010- February 2011)
The pilot program’s application packages are posted online and will be available until further notice. With the assistance of the MATT Selection Panel, The MATT Foundation will make the final selection of students who will participate in the pilot program of 2010 and will notify individuals of their selection into the program by the end of February.
Students, find out more on how to apply here>>
Líderes Program Preparation and Student Planning (March-May, 2011)
Once the selection process is completed, student pairs will participate in recorded web conferencing sessions scheduled at least twice a month to prepare themselves for the six weeks they’ll spend working and living together in Mexico. During these sessions, each student team will be accompanied by a member of the Red de Talentos organization who will help students:
- Design their collaborative learning experience
- Undergo cultural orientation
- Develop cross-cultural relationships
- Establish effective communication strategies
- Discuss logistical and administrative aspects of the planning process
- Discuss research findings relating to the project site areas
- Review assignments
During this time, students will be required to regularly document their work and upload completed material onto a web portal hosted by The MATT Foundation.
NOTE: The preparation phase is designed NOT to interfere with students’ academic workload or mentors’ schedules during the spring semester; however, all participants must ensure their availability to complete their scheduled preparation phase sessions prior to their time in Mexico.
In addition to the web conferences, all written and visual materials created by students and experts between the months of March and July will be published on the Líderes internet portal, which will serve as a public space for all participants to demonstrate their accomplishments and progress achieved during the program’s entirety.
Students may also earn college credit for time spent and work accomplished in Mexico if arranged ahead of time. Please contact Program Director Tina Kosikowski for more information at (210) 270-0300.
Service Learning Phase (May- July, 2011)
Upon their arrival, students will attend an orientation weekend allowing them to acclimate to their new surroundings, adjust to housing accommodations, and meet their peers with whom they will be learning and serving with throughout the program.
During the first five weeks in Mexico, student pairs will implement their projects and employ the research methods they have developed during their web conferencing sessions, which will be available for public viewing on the Líderes- a New Generation site.
Students will maintain consistent contact with their expert mentors; however, they will work independently as a pair and progress as a team. Therefore, they will have the opportunity to shape their own learning experience while making a tangible contribution to the economic and social prosperity of Mexico!
Leadership Conference, Research Symposium, Scholarship Awards (June- July 2011)
Leadership Conference
A two-day Leadership Conference will be held during the first week of this program by Father Virgilio Elizondo, an internationally renowned Catholic priest from the University of Notre Dame and board member of The MATT Foundation.
Originally from San Antonio, Texas, Rev. Elizondo was recognized by TIME magazine as one of the leading spiritual innovators in the United States and remains an expert on issues regarding U.S./ Mexico Relations.
Research SymposiumThe last week will culminate in a competitive research symposium where students will showcase their work and accomplishments from the previous five weeks. The top three pairs will receive scholarships contributing to the pursuit of a master’s degree. While students’ work will be sector specific, they will be expected to propose globally-feasible solutions based upon the following prompt:
“What is the biggest challenge facing the binational relationship between Mexico and the United States? Which resolutions would create the biggest impact and how could they be implemented in a changing and unstable economy?”
The 10 pairs will have five days to develop and finalize their presentations consisting of a white paper and a creative element such as a video essay, demonstration, etc. Presentations will incorporate material from the preparation phase, but will be based off of their service-learning activities that were accomplished during the first five weeks in Mexico. Student pairs will not only undergo individual project reviews with the board members, but will also be required to present project summaries in a public exposition before the awards ceremony.
Scholarship Awards
The main purpose of Líderes is to unite students by means of a common goal- the goal of education. In recognition of students’ commitment to learning and service, The MATT Foundation will award the creators of the top three submissions with master’s degree scholarship funds.
During the Research Symposium, students will publicly present their submissions which will ultimately be evaluated by the Líderes scholarship panel. Once the top submissions are chosen, all participants will attend a Líderes awards ceremony where the creators of the three best submissions will be jointly awarded in the following manner:
- 1st place- Two scholarships covering $30,000 of tuition expenses toward the pursuit of a Master’s degree in the U.S. or Mexico
- 2d place- Two scholarships financing $20,000 of tuition expenses toward the pursuit of a Master’s degree in the U.S. or Mexico
- 3d place- Two scholarships financing $10,000 of tuition expenses toward the pursuit of Master’s degree in the U.S. or Mexico
