CSU Pueblo Student Leader to Address Global Audience at UN Event

Pueblo, COLO – Alondra Solis Ayala, a senior at Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo), has been invited to speak at the prestigious GlobalMindED conference held at the United Nations in New York City on October 10th. Ayala, who serves as president of the Associated Students' Government, will join a diverse panel of students and leaders to discuss critical issues facing higher education and the workforce.

The event, hosted by GlobalMindED, aims to address the alarming statistic that 52% of college graduates, many from under-resourced communities, find themselves underemployed. The data comes from a 2024 Strada Institute for the Future of Work in collaboration with the Burning Glass Institute. The report found that graduates that started their career at a below-college-level job typically stayed underemployed for year afterwards. One year after graduation, underemployment rates vary significantly across racial groups: 60% for Black graduates, 57% for Hispanic and Latino graduates, 53% for white graduates, and 47% for Asian graduates. While these rates decrease over time, the racial gaps in underemployment persist even five years after graduation. 

The GlobalMindED gathering brings together trailblazers from various sectors to foster collaboration and generate solutions to close the equity gap between education and career opportunities.

Celebrating Tomorrow’s Leaders

Carol J. Carter, founder and CEO of GlobalMindED, said in an email that “GlobalMindED's United Nations event is aimed at building a diverse talent pipeline which closes the equity gap by getting students such as Alondra Solis Ayala from CSU Pueblo on the national and global stage along with leaders across sectors. She will be a featured panelist sharing her insights with students from Ramapo, Howard, and Harvard as well as a recent graduate from Baruch working at Morgan Stanley."

Ayala's selection for this event highlights CSU Pueblo's commitment to nurturing leadership and providing global opportunities for its students. Her involvement on campus extends beyond her role in student government; this summer, she was awarded the title of Ms. Congeniality at the Fiesta Queen competition.

Commenting on this opportunity, Ayala shared, "As a student leader, this invitation means more to me than just attending another event—it's a recognition of the journey I've been on, the challenges I've faced, and the growth I've experienced. It's a chance to step into a room full of people who inspire me, who push me to think bigger, and to realize that all the late nights, hard work, and sacrifices were worth it. This trip also feels special because each trip brings new perspectives. What I am looking forward to is the amazing sunsets in NYC."

The event will tackle crucial topics including reinventing education for the modern workforce, equipping students with financial freedom skills, exploring the intersection of human potential and AI, and fostering collaboration between college presidents and students.

CSU Pueblo President Armando Valdez will also be featured in GlobalMindED's newsletter before October 25, 2024, further highlighting the university's involvement in this important initiative.

Co-hosted by Janet Salazar, Chairman and President of the Foundation for the Support of the United Nations, the event will feature prominent speakers such as Liz Elting, a billion-dollar business entrepreneur and author of "Dream Big and Win."

Alondra Solis Ayala is available for immediate interviews.