Cruz, Cortes featured in Press-Gazette story on growing diversity

UW-Green Bay faculty members Marcelo Cruz and Aurora Cortes are featured in a new Green Bay Press-Gazette story and video, respectively, on the increasing ethnic diversity in the Green Bay area. In the story, posted Tuesday (Oct. 21) to the Press-Gazette website, Urban and Regional Studies faulty member Cruz said Green Bay is highly segregated — and that redevelopment of the University Avenue corridor could help or hinder the situation, depending on how it is carried out. “It’s a golden opportunity that potentially could be missed by the community,” Cruz said. “Let’s work with them (Hispanics) and make a win-win situation.” In an accompanying video, Education faculty member Cortes discusses her “Working and communicating with Hispanic parents of young children” course, which aims to overcome language and culture barriers between Green Bay teachers and the Hispanic community. “The Hispanic community is growing and there are several elementary schools that are 50, 60 percent Hispanic,” Cortes said. “And the teachers need to be prepared. They need to have this familiarity with our culture. They need to be exposed to our culture.” To read the story and watch the video, click here.