Learn about the National Hispanic Institute! We will be talking about the Lorenzo De Zavala Youth Legislative Session summer leadership program, how to apply for them, and what it means to be join the membership.
Email Regina Legarreta rlegarreta@nhimail.com or call at 512-357-6137, if there are questions!
The Future Ready Center is inside the Foothills Mall. From the outside, it is next to Spavia, on the inside it is next to Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory.
Learn about the National Hispanic Institute! We will be talking about our three summer leadership programs, how to apply for them, and what it means to be join the membership.
We are currently in the Pre-Registration Period. All fees will be waived and requested starting August 1st, 2024. Required materials such as transcripts will not be required for Pre-Registration, however will be requested at a later date. Specific LDZ locations and dates are to be released at a later date.
PROGRAM Tuition & fees
Application Fee - $25 (required to complete application, non-refundable)
NOTE: Application Fee does not apply for Pre-Registration
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Since 1982, high ability, high achieving 10th and 11th grade students have graduated from the competitive and transformative Lorenzo de Zavala Youth Legislative Session (LDZ) experience designed for future community leaders. Students form a cohort of 150 delegates ages 16-17 in community positions that propose, review, and adopt policies to advance the Latino community. The week-long quest covers a broad array of skills, competencies, personal growth opportunities, social relevance, and topics of national and international relevance to Latino quality of life.
Texas Great Debate | June 5-8, 2025 Austin College Sherman, Texas https://www.austincollege.edu/ Only 300 summer spots available.
Texas Ambassador Great Debate | Dates TBD To Be Decided https://www.austincollege.edu/
NOTE: Additional fees may apply.
The Great Debate is a communications and leadership development program for ambitious and courageous young people. If you're committed to making meaningful change in your world, and you’re driven toward building up your community, NHI is for you.
Northeast Great Debate | Dates TBD Host Institution TBD Pennsylvania, USA Only 240 summer spots available.
IMPORTANT: for New Mexico high school students only
This year’s event will host 150 top students in a weeklong leadership experience on the UNM campus June 8 - 15, 2025, and highlight the legacy of late Dennis Chavez. The program is made possible by special funding from the New Mexico Legislature introduced by State Sen. Michael Padilla.
Chavez, who served in the U.S. House of Representatives from 1931-1935 and in the U.S. Senate from 1935-1962, was the first Hispanic person elected to a full term in the Senate and the first senator to be born in New Mexico.
NO APPLICATION OR TUITION FEE - NM LDZ is fully funded by the New Mexico State Legislature, for students who attend New Mexico schools. Student tuition is covered if they attend the NM LDZ only.
IMPORTANT: Full support for the Dennis Chavez New Mexico LDZ program is made possible through funding by the New Mexico State Legislature for students from New Mexico. Selected students will be named Dennis Chavez Scholars and participate at NO COST other than transportation to and from UNM in Albuquerque. Transportation assistance will be available for participants from outlying areas who confirm a space by March, 2025
PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY
SPACE IS AVAILABLE ON A FIRST COME,
FIRST SERVE BASIS.
FIRST ROUND APPLICANTS WILL BE ACCEPTED
BY NOVEMBER 25, 2025
PROGRAM DATES & LOCATION
2024 Texas Star Great Debate | June 10-15, 2025
Our Lady of the Lake University
San Antonio, Texas
About the Texas Star Great Debate
We are proud to announce the 2025 Texas Star Great Debate at Our Lady of the Lake University in San Antonio. With the support of the President's office, we are bringing back the 6-Day Great Debate to one of its first campuses. "OLLU" was the host of 6-Day programs in the early 2000s which would attract top leaders from Central and South Texas and often Northern Mexico. The 2025 program is slated to continue engaging future leaders from
Through the years, NHI has cultivated relations with a significant number of universities, mostly private, as reference possibilities when selecting their preferences. As members of NHI’s College Register, these institutions are located throughout the U.S. and usually attend NHI college fairs and admission workshops that give them one-on-one communication with NHI students. On different occasions some of these institutions go a step further. They realize the importance of placing young minds in environments that excite the possibilities of college and make higher education real in their lives.
What is the cost of the Great Debate?
Tuition for the Great Debates covers four days on a college in dorms, a full meal plan, private access to training areas, a college day exclusively for program participants, a staff-student ratio of one adult to every fifteen students, supplies and materials, a commemorative program T-Shirt, a certificate of participation, and a highly-motivating curriculum. Upon official acceptance to the program, NHI requires a 150.00 USD non-refundable deposit to secure your spot. Families manage tuition in various ways from setting up an approved payment plan, seeking out sponsors, easy online fundraising, or even qualify for special select community grants. NHI makes it a point to work with each family on their specific plans for tuition.
Students who complete in the Great Debate will be granted all the rights, privileges, and honors of NHI membership, so long as they remain in good standing and will hence be invited to future opportunities for personal development as well as volunteerism and faculty development within the organization.
The cost of the Great Debate is broken down into distinct fees, all of which will culminate in supplying your student with the adequate resources for a fulfilling and fun leadership experience :
What does the payment schedule look like?
NHI will provide details about the payment schedule upon acceptance into the program.
NHI is committed to flexibility - that is, payment plans and fundraising tools are available to all families who request them.
Colorado LDZ | June 21 - 28, 2025 Colorado State University Fort Collins, Colorado www.colostate.edu Only 150 summer spots available.
Midwest Great Debate | June 28 - July 3, 2025 Augustana College Rock Island, Illinois https://www.augustana.edu/ Only 240 summer spots available.
Rocky Mountain Collegiate World Series | Jun 29, 2025 - Jul 3, 2025
Regis University
Denver, Colorado, USA
https://www.regis.edu/
The Collegiate World Series is the National Hispanic Institute’s (NHI) capstone experience for high school juniors preparing for their senior year. Created 30 years ago, it aims to provide future leaders as much insight and practice as possible to prepare for the transition to adulthood, with an emphasis on both college readiness and leadership development.
California Sol Great Debate | July 8 - 13, 2025 University of San Diego San Diego, California, USA https://www.sandiego.edu/
National Hispanic Institute
+1 (512) 357-6137
Hours of Operations:
M-F, 8:30am - 12:00pm; 1:30pm - 5:30pm CDT
