Posted: February 26, 2018Written by: lauren milbourne

Tags: 2018, press release

Well-known artist, author, and speaker Símon Silva will visit Cuesta College in March to help support the college’s annual outreach conference for local Latino/a youth, and provide two free lectures open to the public. Silva earned a Bachelor's Degree in art from California’s Art Center College of Design. He is the author of Cultivate a Creative Mind, Small-Town Browny, and Gathering the Sun. Silva travels around the country presenting his workshop “Cultivate Your Mind,” which encourages adults and students to communicate using the artistic talent that resides within them.

“Símon shares an insightful view of creativity, while telling a compelling story of struggle and hope,” said Cuesta College Student Equity and Success Centers Director Que Dang.

“He connects with audiences via a powerful message about perseverance and success. It is such a privilege to bring Símon to Cuesta College. We hope students and the public will feel the power of art and storytelling through his work as a way to honor diverse voices and experiences of our Latinx communities.”

Silva is the keynote speaker at the college’s 7th Annual Edúcate- Sí Se Puede; an outreach conference for Latino/a high school students in San Luis Obispo County. Organizers expect approximately 400 local students to participate in the March 16th event on the San Luis Obispo Campus. Each year, the conference provides student support via informative workshops on career paths, a panel discussion featuring peers and role models, instructions on applying for financial aid, and more.

The public can attend a free presentation with Silva on the following dates:

  • March 14th | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | San Luis Obispo Campus, Building 5400, Room 5401               
  • March 15th | 10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m. | North County Campus, Dallons Hall, Room N3102

Designated a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), Cuesta College continues to fulfill its mission to support the local Latino/a population by bringing Silva to Cuesta. In August of 2016, Cuesta was designated an HSI due to its growing Latino/a student population. The following year, the college was awarded a five-year, $2.5M Developing Hispanic Serving Institution grant from the United States Department of Education. The funding has allowed the college to create a new Associate’s Degree for Transfer in Elementary Teacher Education. During the spring 2018 semester, a pilot program launched that allows students interested in teaching to observe local K-12 classrooms. The program also aims to help resolve the teacher-shortage crisis currently facing SLO County.

For more information on Silva visit his website at www.simonsilva.com. For more information on Silva’s visit to Cuesta College, please contact the Student Success Center at (805) 546-3150.