National-Louis University (NLU) Honors Chicago City Clerk del Valle with César E. Chávez Award for Service to the Latino Community

Chicago (PRWEB) April 3, 2008 -- Miguel del Valle, Clerk of the City of Chicago, received National-Louis University's (NLU) first annual César E. Chávez Award for Service to the Latino Community for his work in helping Latinos overcome barriers to education.

NLU president Richard J. Pappas, Ed.D., and Julian Posada, Chair of NLU's Proyecto Comunidad Advisory Board, presented the award to del Valle during a ceremony April 1.

"As a transformational leader, Clerk del Valle has made tremendous progress for Illinois and for Chicago's Latino community, including achievements that have helped pave the way for a landmark initiative recently launched by National-Louis to increase Latino access to higher education," said NLU president Dr. Pappas. "It is fitting that he is the first honoree to receive National-Louis' César E. Chávez Award."

Clerk del Valle currently serves as Mayor Richard M. Daley's Special Advisor on Education. As the first Hispanic Assistant Majority Leader of the Illinois General Assembly, he served as Chairman of the Senate Education Committee, and he was also a member of the Senate Executive, Labor and Higher Education committees.

In addition, del Valle co-chaired the Senate Select Committee on Education Funding Reform.

"Clerk del Valle has been a role model for the Latino community, and someone who absolutely exemplifies the ideals of César Chávez," said Ana Maria Soto, executive director of NLU Latino initiatives. "Throughout his career, he has worked tirelessly to help people overcome barriers to education."

"It is an honor to receive the first National-Louis César E. Chávez award. I commend National-Louis University for making significant efforts to increase the number of Latinos receiving advanced degrees," said del Valle. "The importance of higher education is key for Latinos when competing for job opportunities and advancement in the workforce."

César Chávez was a Mexican-American farm worker who became a national leader on civil rights, labor, and social justice during the 1960s and 1970s. March 31 is celebrated in eight states as Chávez Day. This year marks the historic 40th anniversary of Chávez's 25-day fast to rededicate the Farm Worker Movement to nonviolence.

For information about National-Louis University's Proyecto Comunidad, a landmark initiative to recruit and retain Latino college students and teachers, and to place them in Chicago's marketplace as successful professionals, visit www.nl.edu/proyectocomunidad.

About National-Louis University

National-Louis University has been a force for change in American education since its founding in 1886. Known for nearly a century as the National College of Education, it is still nationally renowned today not only for its programs in teacher preparation and educational leadership, but as one of the first universities to address the unique needs of adult learners. National-Louis pioneered accelerated education for adults, and today offers a range of undergraduate and graduate degree programs in the National College of Education, the College of Arts and Science and the College of Management and Business. Visit www.nl.edu for more information.

National-Louis has a flagship urban campus at 122 South Michigan Avenue in downtown Chicago; campuses in Lisle, Skokie, Wheeling and Elgin, Ill.; as well as Beloit and Milwaukee, Wis.; Washington, D.C.; McLean, Va.; Florida and Poland.

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