This year’s conference theme, “Leading With Influence,” focuses on how the National Society of Hispanic MBAs is working to improve opportunities for Hispanic students and professionals. Through its scholarship program and new University Partnership Program, NSHMBA is removing the financial barrier that often keeps Hispanics from pursing graduate business degrees. NSHMBA awarded over $1 million dollars in scholarships and financial aid to Hispanic students in 2007.

This year’s conference theme focuses on how the National Society of Hispanic MBAs is working to improve opportunities for Hispanic students and professionals

Through NSHMBA’s new publication, the Business Journal of Hispanic Research (BJHR), the organization is sharing valuable research with corporations on, among other things, how to successfully attract, develop and retain Hispanic employees. This research, presented by Dr. Donna Maria Blancero, Editor of the BJHR, served as the cornerstone of the conference’s new Executive Forum Sessions and their roundtable discussions on challenges faced by Hispanic executives.

Sponsoring NSHMBA’s 18th Annual Conference and Career Expo this year are Hewlett Packard and Rice University’s Jesse H. Jones School of Management. This is the first year that NSHMBA’s conference has had both a corporate sponsor and an academic sponsor, but this new approach more accurately reflects NSHMBA’s focus on both business and education. “Our lead sponsors are attuned to the growing demand for diverse, global leaders and are committed to providing opportunities to ensure the pipeline continues to flourish,” stated NSHMBA CEO, Lourdes Hassler. “They truly understand NSHMBA’s desire to build a bridge of opportunity for Hispanics that will prepare them for success in graduate school and throughout their professional career.”

For a comprehensive overview of the conference schedule and activities, please go to http://www.nshmba.org.

About NSHMBA
The National Society of Hispanic MBAs (NSHMBA) was created in 1988 as a 501(C)(3) non-profit organization. Widely known as the "Premier Hispanic
Organization," NSHMBA serves 32 chapters and 7,000 members in the U.S. and
Puerto Rico. It exists to foster Hispanic leadership through graduate management education and professional development. NSHMBA works to prepare Hispanics for leadership positions throughout the U.S., so that they can provide the cultural awareness and sensitivity vital in the management of the nation’s diverse workforce.

NOTE TO EDITORS: High-resolution images are available at: http://www.hispanicprwire.com/home.php?l=in