CARLOS ZALAQUETT
"I am chilean by birth, Texan by rebirth and Floridian by adoption"

He's more than a professor, mental health counselor and advisor to many of the Latino students at the University of South Florida, he's also a bridge builder. No, Carlos Zalaquett does not work in the engineering or construction trade, he builds a different kind of bridge, one that is closing the gap between education and Latino students.

"Many Latino students in the U.S. face harsh realities and challenges that prevent them from acquiring an education," explained Zalaquett. "But, if given the chance, if shown the way, they will become very successful, but the bridge has to be built before they can reach the other side."

In order to bring these students "to the other side," Zalaquett, an assistant professor in the USF educational program and a mental health counselor, has created a program that will train USF Latino students to be middle and high school counselors so they can visit the schools and assist the Latino students to fulfill their dreams of going to college.

"This is my major commitment to the community," said Zalaquett. "The Latino/Hispanic community is the largest minority group in the United States, but we also have the largest dropout rate. Why? Because we are missing the emphasis on the presence of role models that could influence young middle and high school students. Sure, successful Latino businessmen show the students the opportunities they have in terms of careers, but I feel the young students will relate better to those closer to their age, those currently in college."

Once his theory was in place, Zalaquett began combing the community for the students who could best relate to the middle and high school Latino students. He found the students involved in the USF Latino Scholarship...