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Undergraduate Hispanic American enrollment at Ball State University has increased 61 percent in five years.

According to Ball State's latest annual diversity committee report, which is required by state law, undergraduate Hispanic/Latino enrollment at BSU jumped from 350 in 2008-09 to 562 in 2013-14.

"Some of the increase is reflective of changing demographics, but it also reflects things we are doing to recruit a diverse student population," said Tom Taylor, vice president for enrollment at the university.

Of the 308.7 million people who resided in the United States during the 2010 census, 50.5 million or 16 percent were of Hispanic or Latino origin.

People of Mexican origin comprised the largest Hispanic group, followed by Puerto Rican, Cuban, Salvadoran, Dominican and Guatemalan, according to the Census Bureau.

In Indiana, the Hispanic or Latino population grew from 214,536 or 3.5 percent of the total population to 389,707 or 6 percent of the total population between 2000 and 2010. READ MORE AT THE STAR PRESS

Many companies still are struggling on how to reach the Hispanic market effectively and efficiently.

Some marketing executives still are not proactive enough to engage with this influential demographic, even though Hispanics will represent one in five Americans by 2020.

Some feel this audience is too complicated, so it may generate more work for them. Others feel that as their sales go down, they need to improve their performance in the general market first, in order to expand to other markets.

And still others think since their business has grown through a referral basis, there is no need to invest in this market, and that having a bilingual sales team will cover the demand.

Wrong. Wrong. Wrong.  READ MORE AT ORLANDO BUSINESS JOURNAL

Ready for your big Silicon Valley break? Cosmo for Latinas asked three Latinas who've soared to the top what it really takes to channel your inner Mark Zuckerberg. Below, they share their best tips and tricks for making it big in engineering, tech, and more.

Julissa Ramirez, 28
Job: Industrial engineer at Intel Corporation
Credentials: Studied manufacturing mechanical systems at Rochester Institute of Technology; three college internships
Her story: In high school, this Dominicana wanted to be an illustrator but encouragement from a physics teacher led her to a NASA summer robotics program, and from then, on she was all about engineering.
 READ MORE AT COSMOPOLITAN FOR LATINAS

America is stuck in neutral, with stagnant unemployment, slow economic growth, and out of control government spending. But as Hispanic Heritage Month comes to a close, it is important to note that Hispanic-owned businesses are poised to lead America’s long awaited economic recovery.

Gallup Organization data proves first-generation migrants are more likely to start a business, take business-related risks, feel optimistic even when things go wrong, and exhibit more of a “never give up” attitude. Hispanics most of all - they start businesses at twice the rate of the average American. READ MORE AT ATLANTA BUSINESS JOURNAL

Janeth Barrera Cantu has spent most of her 18 years living in a cramped trailer in rural North Carolina with her three siblings and parents. Eight years ago, her father was deported to Mexico, where he was shot and killed, a crime that remains unsolved. For several years afterward, her mother, Maria, was left as the sole breadwinner for the family of five.

The trailer is just down the road from Hickory, a town Reader’s Digest named one of the 10 best places in America to raise a family and that business magazines have hailed for its entrepreneurial climate. That’s where Maria Cantu earns a living cleaning houses. She now has a boyfriend who helps raise the children; he works in a glove factory. READ MORE AT THE ATLANTIC

The new documentary "Underwater Dreams" follows four teenage boys living in Arizona as they build an underwater robot for a major science competition.

On its surface, the story seems unremarkable. But their parents are Mexicans who are living in the United States illegally, and their high school is plagued by gangs and poverty.

American documentary maker Mary Mazzio said she set out to show just what the children of Hispanic immigrants can accomplish, especially if the U.S. Congress passes immigration reform eliminating obstacles for them to attend college, and to work.

"You have four kids that come from nothing, and look what they did," Mazzio said in a recent telephone interview. "There are millions of kids like them. All they need is a little bit of opportunity to flourish." READ MORE

Univision unveiled 30 new shows today in advance of its formal upfront presentation to advertisers in New York next Tuesday. They include a new telenovela from Televisa called "The Storm" that will air on the main Univision network and an adaptation of AMC’s critically acclaimed hit "Breaking Bad" that will air on sister network Unimas, which targets younger Hispanic males.

Speaking to reporters on a teleconference call Friday afternoon, Randy Falco, president and CEO of Univision Communications, said the two biggest trends in media today are the growing marketer focus on digital and the rapidly expanding Hispanic market, now with spending power estimated at $1.6 trillion.

“Our positioning has never been better,” said Falco -- noting the company’s efforts to have a presence across all key media channels, including TV, cable, radio, online, social media and other outlets. The company is positioning itself for the coming season as the one-stop shopping destination for marketers that want to connect with Hispanic consumers. READ MORE

A new report released by Social Lens Research and MocoSpace, Latinos on the Road: A Mobile and Social Ride Study, found that when it comes to planning road trips, Latinos heavily rely on their mobile phones and social media networks. The online survey found that during every stage of planning for a road trip, Latinos are using mobile phones and seeking more relevant location-based deals, rewards programs and mobile accessible travel content to assist with their trip planning.

“The study indicates that among Hispanics who are leading the way on mobile adoption, the willingness to use mobile phones has outpaced what functionality and content companies offers. Companies are in catch-up mode on the type of customer experience offered. I think travel planning is just one example of the more advanced mobile functionality needed”, said Julie Diaz-Asper, founding partner, Social Lens Research. READ MORE

Nely Galan, the media dynamo and one of the entertainment industry's savviest and firebrand talents, will keynote the Latina Empowerment Breakfast at USHLI's 31st national conference. Her address is scheduled for 7:30am, Friday, February 15, at the Sheraton Chicago Hotel and Towers, located at 301 E. North Water Street in Chicago.

Nely Galan has done it all, going strong, and is still doing more. As the former President of Telemundo, she was the first Latina to head a television network. Since 1994 she has operated her own media company, Galan Entertainment, which has helped launch 10 groundbreaking television channels in Latin America, produced an amazing 600 episodes of programming ranging from reality shows to sitcoms and telenovelas to talk shows. And, for 15 years Nely has owned a real estate development and investment company, which has residential and commercial holdings in multiple states.

As a public speaker Nely is well known for her powerful crowd-pleasing presentations on the Latino market, entrepreneurship, and Latina empowerment. In making the announcement, USHLI President Dr. Juan Andrade said, "Nely is the personification of Latina empowerment. We are excited to have her as our conference kick-off speaker and looking forward to her keynote address with great anticipation."

A firm believer in education and self-improvement, Nely recently completed her Doctorate in Clinical and Cultural Psychology.

For more information regarding USHLI's national conference please call 312.427.8683.

Join USHLI and HispanicPro for one of the most important nights of business networking in Chicago.Connect with top influential leaders in business, education, government & politics from the state of Illinois and across the country attending the United States Leadership Institute 31st National Conference. 

Thursday, February 14

5 pm – 8 pm

Enjoy an open bar, hors d’oeuvres, raffles, and entertainment. Admission $10. Proceeds will benefit the USHLI Scholarship Fund.

It is with great sadness that the NAHP Board of Directors shares news of the loss of a dear colleague and friend, NAHP President Ezequiel "Zeke" Montes. Mr. Montes passed away Tuesday, January 29, 2013, from complications due to pneumonia, surrounded by his family. He is survived by his wife and business partner of more than 40 years, Rosalinda; children, Patricia, Christine, Edward, and Esteban, and many grandchildren. The NAHP family offers our sincerest condolences and prayers for the family in this difficult time.

Montes was the CEO and President of Tele Guia Inc., the holding company for three successful Spanish language publications in the greater Chicago Area: Tele Guia de Chicago, El Imparcial Newspaper, and Guia Telefonica. Started in 1985, with a Spanish language TV Guide and entertainment magazine the business grew to nine magazines covering a five-county area. In 1999, he acquired his second publication, El Imparcial, a Cicero and Berwyn based Spanish language newspaper to ensure that the Hispanic community was and continues to be well-informed about their schools and government. In 2006, Montes launched Guia Telefonica, a Spanish language yellow page directory.

Mr. Montes made it a priority in his personal and professional life to help the Latino community, organizing the Latino Book and Family Festival to promote literacy and education to the approximately 25,000 annual attendees. He also served on the Board of Directors for organizations such as the Norwegian American Hospital, the Cicero Chamber of Commerce, the Hispanic Association on Corporate Responsibility, the National Hispanic Media Council, and the National Hispanic Leadership Council. He also previously chaired the Outreach Committee for the American Cancer Society of Illinois, served on a Blue Ribbon Advisory Committee for Morton College, and served as a District Chair for the Chippewa District of the Boy Scouts.

Mr. Montes also had a long and storied leadership role with the National Association of Hispanic Publications, serving as National Board President from 1986-1989, 1999-2003, and finally from 2011-Present, having been elected President by his peers in six different elections. Montes also served in various leadership roles for the organization in between his terms as President. He also served on the Board of Directors for the NAHP partner organization, the National Hispanic Press Foundation. Mr. Montes just helped NAHP celebrate 30 Years of Excellence in Hispanic Print, and in his words at the 2012 NAHP Annual Convention and Business Expo,: "We are a family of publishers that believe in the principles of journalism, business opportunity and giving back to the community." He will be missed greatly by his publishing family across the country.

There has been an outpouring of condolences and fond memories for Mr. Montes, particularly from NAHP members.

Clara Padilla Andrews, Immediate Past President of NAHP, said, "I am very sad to hear about the death of our NAHP President, Zeke Montes. I will miss his smile, energy and his commitment to the Hispanic media industry, may he rest in Peace. My heartfelt condolences to his wife Rose, his children Christine, Edward, and Esteban and grandchildren."

NAHP Board Secretary, Norma Condreay said, "Admiraba mucho a Zeke, por su forma de ser, alegre, caballero, y con mucho tino para recibir y sobrepasar las adversidades. Mr. Montes, fue un luchador constante de que se brinde oportunidades a nuestros jóvenes para que nuestra industria continúe y sea cada vez más fuerte. Uno de los comentarios que me hizo Zeke, fue: "Norma, este año es mi ultimo año como presidente de la NAHP y mis deseos es dejar la Asociación con un gran futuro", "es tiempo de que los mas jóvenes continúen con esta labor, pero siempre seguiré apoyando a la Asociación". Admiraba mucho a mi amigos, Zeke y Rose, porque hacían una linda pareja y siempre en los eventos que logramos compartir mi esposo y Yo los admirábamos, porque aun teniendo tantos años de casados, ambos pero sobre todo Zeke demostraba lo mucho que se querían. Recordare siempre a mi amigo Zeke como un gran líder, una persona muy alegre, caballero y luchador por el éxito de nuestra industria.
Hemos perdido un gran Líder!, un gran amigo!"

And NAHP Founder Kirk Whisler said, "While others have devoted meaningful time to the NAHP and the development of Hispanic Print - Zeke devoted his life. Over the years Zeke and I traveled together to over 50 cities around the USA and Mexico to talk about the many benefits and qualities of Hispanic Print. Zeke always provided the emotions and honesty that came from his years as a publisher. He wanted the tide to raise ALL the boats, was never happy if only a few were going to succeed. Zeke was truly a WE person, not a ME person."

When information on services or how to send condolences to the family of Zeke Montes becomes available, the NAHP office will share it. Please contact the NAHP Office at ed@nahp.org to receive the information.

Authenticity and a family-friendly atmosphere are key restaurant qualities for Hispanic consumers, according to new research from Chicago-based Technomic, Inc.

Seventy-one per cent of Hispanic consumers said meals at Mexican or other Hispanic restaurants should taste authentic, and 44% said they would pay more for food described as authentic, compared with 21% of the general population. Carne asada, burritos and tacos were deemed top dishes in the survey.

Additionally, 69% of Hispanic consumers said that restaurants are an ideal venue for quality time with family, compared with 52% of the general population. When choosing where to eat, 46% of Hispanic diners seek a family-friendly atmosphere, compared with 33% of all U.S. consumers. READ MORE

John Villegas recently opened a State Farm Agency in Palatine, and a ribbon cutting ceremony was held by the Palatine Chamber of Commerce.

John Villegas is a bilingual, first generation immigrant who graduated from Maine West High School in Des Plaines, and earned a BS in Finance from DePaul University. He has more than 15 years of experience in the financial services industry and is passionate about financial literacy and giving back to the community.

Also active as a planning committee volunteer with the Latino Summit, Villegas participated as a panelist at the 12th annual Harper College Latino Summit event in mid-November.

Villegas plans to conduct free financial literacy seminars to parents of ESL students in Palatine, Elk Grove and Des Plaines. READ MORE

Despite numerous risk factors that should shorten their lives, Hispanics in the United States are generally healthier than non-Hispanic whites, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported Tuesday in its first comprehensive report on the health of that large and growing ethnic group.

Despite being poorer and having less access to health insurance and health care, Hispanics suffer 35 percent less heart disease and 49 percent less cancer than whites, and according to another study cited in Tuesday's report, live about two years longer. They also have lower rates of Alzheimer's disease, cerebrovascular disease, flu, pneumonia and other common killers of Americans. READ MORE AT THE WASHINGTON POST

The South Atlantic region in the U.S., which includes Florida, is expected to be one of the fastest growing regions for Hispanic-owned small businesses through the end of this year, according to a study released this week.

The region, which spans from Maryland through Florida along the Atlantic coast, was home to 570,200 Hispanic-owned businesses in 2007, according to the report published by Geoscape, a firm specializing in multicultural business consulting, and the U.S. Hispanic Chamber of Commerce.

That number is expected to increase to 866,000 by the end of 2013, growth of more than 52 percent, according to the report.

That’s the second highest rate of growth of the 10 regions identified by Geoscape, behind the East South Central region that encompasses Kentucky, Tennessee, Alabama and Mississippi. The growth there is projected at 59 percent.

Bernal Alvarez, owner of BLAST Auto Service in Cape Coral, said he has witnessed the growth locally since opening his business more than 22 years ago. READ MORE

Cost was not the only reason why Evelyn Escobedo didn’t want to leave home when she went to college.

“Staying close to home was my sense of security and not losing myself,” she said. “And having a safe haven to always come back to.”

Escobedo is one of many Latinas not leaving the nest for college. Though they are attending 2- and 4-year colleges in greater numbers than their male counterparts, many wind up choosing schools near their parents. While finances are a commonly documented factor in that decision, some research and anecdotal evidence has indicated there is an underlying issue: family responsibility.

And while that may sound negative, some research has shown that the opposite is true. Families reveal an important source of support. READ MORE

Latino voters are "suddenly the 'it' demographic in U.S. politics," and, seemingly overnight, support for immigration reform is also en vogue: A recent Bloomberg headline trumpeted the "The Political Inevitability of Immigration Reform." Republican Speaker of the House John Boehner is "confident" that Washington will finally find "common ground" on a "comprehensive approach." Even FOX News has "evolved" on the immigration issue.

However, as many delighted immigrant advocates dance in the proverbial streets, I'm scratching my head. Yes, it is true that the multicultural, minority masses -- the sought-after Latino voting bloc among them -- have spoken, simultaneously granting Obama another four years in office while thrusting the GOP into an identity crisis. But with the ink barely dry on the 2012 ballots, it is puzzling that both parties would suddenly look to immigration as a way to lock in Latino support for 2016. Not only is immigration not completely synonymous with the Latino vote (not all Latinos are immigrants, not all immigrants are Latinos, and neither group blindly casts their ballot based solely on reform), but there's also the fact that some immigration reform has already happened -- just not in the way that Latinos or community advocates would have hoped.

The truth is that Republicans and Democrats have managed to work together on an immigration reform that divides families and destroys lives -- and Latino voters were acutely aware of this on November 6. While 7-in-10 Latinos supported Obama, I know for a fact that some of those votes, mine included, were reluctantly cast.

(Lest revealing my vote pigeonhole me as a party-line-towing Democrat, I will share that I've heartily voted for moderate Republicans in the past.) READ MORE

As Mitt Romney heads off on his "Earning His Foreign Policy Chops" tour (Hit the Olympics opening. Check. Shake hands in Poland. Check. Look serious and concerned in Israel. Check.), the real election battle is in cyberspace. Especially the one aimed at young Latinos.

If you've been hit with loads of texts; your inbox has offers for T-shirts or dinner with Candidate X; and every time you open Facebook there, on the side is, a presidential-looking picture of a Candidate inviting you to "like" him; you must be Hispanic. And, most likely, a young one.

Candidate Barack Obama proved it back in 2008 -- if you want my vote, follow me on Twitter. His use of social media proved the power of social media and stunned the pols who still thought a glossy flyer in your mailbox and a robo-call from a Hollywood celeb was cutting edge. READ MORE

The Hispanic market will represent $1.5 trillion in purchasing power by 2015 and 30% of the U.S. population by 2050. Business leaders who are contemplating how to reach such an enormous market segment, especially through their digital presence, often ask me the same question: “Do we really need Spanish, or can we get by with just English?”

A study from the Pew Hispanic Center shows that 82% of Latino adults in the U.S. speak Spanish, and 95% believe it’s important for future generations to continue to do so. Likewise, the National Hispanic Consumer Study found that advertising in Spanish can boost both advertising effectiveness and customer loyalty. READ MORE

In a world that seems custom-made for those with outgoing personalities, attending networking events as an introvert may seem like a nerve-wracking experience, but it doesn't have to be. Introverts can have as many professional advantages as their extroverted counterparts, even when it comes to meeting new people.

The basic definition of networking is expanding your circle of contacts and nurturing mutually beneficial relationships. Start with these five tips:

Make a plan. Prepare a few conversation-starters to get the ball rolling when meeting someone new. Ask questions such as, "How long have you been in the oil and gas industry?" or, "Where did you originally meet our host?" Asking open ended questions has the added benefit of putting the focus on the other person. Most people enjoy talking about themselves and it positions you as being interested and engaged -- both positive networking tools. READ MORE

Can Red Lobster say “langosta roja?” On Jan. 14, the seafood chain best known for endless shrimp and affordable surf and turf, will launch a $3 million Spanish language TV ad campaign. It’s the restaurant’s first sustained effort to reach Hispanic customers, with ads running on Telemundo, Univision, ESPN Deportes, and other Spanish language channels through March.

Red Lobster, which has about 700 stores, estimates that roughly 10 percent of its consumers are Hispanic, in line with the average in the casual dining industry. The group represents about 16 percent of the U.S. population, however, and is expected to grow to 30 percent of the population by 2050. Darden hopes to increase its business from Hispanic consumers in tandem with this trend. READ MORE