Shell: Escalera emerging as
key career spark for Latino students NCLR program sends 100 percent of students to college
nspiration, potential and persistence are three of the attributes frequently found among the Latino students who prepare for careers through the Escalera Program.
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Such students are the reason for Shell Oil Company’s active support of the Escalera Program: Taking Steps to Success, founded a decade ago by the National Council of La Raza (NCLR). Escalera helps at-risk Latino students finish high school and prepare for college in pursuit of careers in some of the nation’s fastest- growing industries. John Esquivel, Shell’s chief compliance officer and an NCLR corporate advisory board member, has first- hand knowledge of the impressive results. Various Shell employees, including the Shell Hispanic Employee Network, have contributed considerable time to the Escalera effort, Esquivel says, adding that Shell encourages employees to forge mentoring ties with students in surrounding communities.
Escalera is a success in several U.S. cities, including Houston, where Shell US is headquartered. The Houston branch of the Knowledge is Power Program, or KIPP Houston, is an NCLR affiliate and administers the Escalera Program throughout the Greater Houston area. KIPP is a nationwide network of free, open- enrollment, college preparatory public charter schools. Vanessa Ramirez, the program coordinator for the KIPP Houston-Escalera Program, notes that 100 percent of former Escalera students have immediately enrolled in college after high school graduation. That’s a true sign of success, Ramirez says, because Escalera primarily recruits high school students with
GPAs between 1.5 and 2.5. But Ramirez says the deciding factor for whether these students will excel is their motivation to build a future for themselves. Eduardo Medina, who recently completed the Escalera Program, is one example. “We would hear about all the cool things our advisers could see us doing with our college degrees, but it was hard for us to see ourselves doing these things,” Medina says.
“Now, I realize that I can achieve those things and more.” Paul Spicer, a recent Shell retiree, has been involved with the Escalera Program for about four years. A former engineer, Spicer gives educational and career advice to students who express an interest in his background. “They’re usually the first to go to college in their families and once they know a goal is within reach, they bring tremendous commitment.”
In his volunteer role, Spicer often arranges guest speakers from certain fields to come and discuss their careers with Escalera students.
The NCLR launched the Escalera Scholars Program in 2001, and the program is clearly consistent and compatible with the NCLR’s stated goals of eliminating barriers to employment and economic mobility. Escalera’s principal benefits to students in the program include career exploration, leadership development, personal development and academic support — including a 16- month college readiness program.
Shell sees the value of corporate mentoring and programs like Escalera as a valuable asset as we embark on a new energy future. To learn more about Shell visit
www.shell.com
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