MONMOUTH, Ore. —Western Oregon University announces the new name for their annual student leadership conference, which was formerly named the Cesar E. Chávez Leadership Conference. In March, the university removed Chávez’ name from the conference due to the troubling reports of abuse that came out regarding Chávez.
With feedback from current Western Oregon University students and votes from students who attended the May leadership conference, the new conference name is Conferencia Voces de Cambio y Liderazgo, which translates to Voices for Change and Leadership Conference. Along with the new name, this conference will now permanently move to fall term instead of the spring term, to provide high school seniors with better access and more time for applying to college and for funding opportunities.
Cristian Mendez Garcia, assistant director of Hispanic Serving Institution Initiatives, shares that while the name and timing of the conference are changing, the mission remains the same: To provide transformative opportunities for Latine and all high school students in Oregon and to instill in them the value of education, which nurtures the mind, body, and spirit, in order to develop a social consciousness that empowers them as leaders for social justice, civic responsibility, and positive change within their communities.
Save the date for the first annual Conferencia Voces de Cambio y Liderazgo, which will be held at Western on Friday, October 23, 2026.
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About Western Oregon University
Western Oregon University, established in Monmouth in 1856, proudly stands as Oregon’s oldest public university. Hosting around 4,000 students, Western embodies a mid-sized, NCAA Division II institution, with approximately 80% of its students hailing from within the state. Notably, its diverse student body comprises individuals from underrepresented backgrounds, veterans, and non-traditional learners. Western stands as the preferred campus in Oregon for those pursuing an enriching education within a nurturing, student-focused environment, characterized by faculty-led instruction. WhereYOU belong.