The Idaho Commission of Hispanic Affairs has a new voice in Carmen Suarez, director of the Office of Human Rights Access and Inclusion at the University of Idaho.
Suarez was appointed by Governor C.L. “Butch” Otter.
Suarez said she is honored to be able to contribute to ICHA.
The ICHA works toward educational, economic and social equality. Suarez said she can contribute, especially to educational equality because she works for the “lead educational institute in the state.”
Suarez said the ICHA is important because it enables people to understand the Hispanic community.
To help people understand the growing Hispanic population, UI, ICHA and the Idaho National Laboratory created the Idaho at a Glance series of brief statistical data guides.
The Hispanic overview states that from 2000-2009 the Hispanic population provided one-fourth of the total population growth in Idaho.
The Hispanic education section states that from 1999-2000, Hispanic enrollment in grades K-12 increased from 10 to 15 percent and in higher education Hispanic enrollment in Idaho’s 4-year institutes increased 72 percent between 2000 and 2008.
Suarez said Hispanics are the fastest growing population in Idaho, and the growth and development of the Hispanic population ties into the prosperity of the state of Idaho.
Suarez is excited about being a part of the commission, and is looking forward to working with the other commissioners.
“They are good people who will work together for the good of the state,” she said.
There are nine board members in the ICHA. Two are appointed by the President Pro Tempore, two by the Speaker of the House and five members are from the Hispanic community and are appointed by the governor, as stated in the ICHA by-laws.
Suarez said the ICHA is also a non-partisan state agency.
“There should be no political agenda, just everybody coming together for the good of the state,” she said.
She said she was also part of a similar group in Illinois, but under the Attorney General’s Office.
“My father is from Mexico, my mother what we call Heinz 57 — a little bit of everything,” Suarez said. “But I feel compelled to give back to the community I was a part of.”
Serving on the ICHA board is volunteering, much like the service learning experiences students have.
“I appreciate the opportunity to participate in the voice of the Hispanic community,” Suarez said.
Allison Griffith can be reached at arg-news.uidaho.edu