Orlando, FL – Valencia Community College student Carlos Robles will be featured in the documentary, “Latino in America,” which will debut Oct. 21 and 22 on CNN and CNN en Español. Robles’ story will air on the 22nd. 

The two-night, four-hour documentary, hosted by correspondent Soledad O’Brien, examines the growing diversity of America, exploring Latino-American culture through personal stories. Several U.S. communities, including the Puerto Rican community in Orlando, are featured.

Robles, who was a police officer in Puerto Rico, aims to become a sheriff with the Orange County Sheriff’s Office. However, he is worried that his struggles with English may keep him from his dream. To work on his language skills, he is enrolled in Conversational English courses through the Center for Global Languages at Valencia Enterprises, the continuing education division of Valencia Community College. CNN followed his progress for eight weeks, documenting his class work and gaining insight into his life in Orlando.  

Students from Puerto Rico make up nearly 10 percent of the Conversational English courses at the Center for Global Languages. 

Valencia’s service to the Hispanic community is also noteworthy in the following ways: 

• Hispanics account for almost 27 percent of the 50,000 degree-seeking students at Valencia.

• Because enrollment exceeds 25 percent Hispanic, with at least half coming from lower-income families, Valencia is a federally designated Hispanic Serving Institution.  

• Valencia ranks 3rd among the nation’s two-year institutions for the number of associate degrees awarded to Hispanics (up from 5th in 2008).

?“CNN Presents: Latino in America,” reported by Soledad O'Brien, premieres Oct. 21 and 22 at 9 p.m. (EST) on CNN and on CNN en Español. For more information, visit www.cnn.com/SPECIALS/2009/latino.in.america. ? 

 

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