Luis Angel Ramos, M.A. Andragogist (Adult Education Specialist)

Hola:

     My name is Luis and many people call me Louie. I am 43 years old and I moved to Deltona in 1997. I love my community wherever I have lived (NY, PR, RI, MA, PA, and FL). "Leadership through Servanthood or Service" is what I believe in and have practiced throughout my life. I have been involved in every aspect of my community ever since...  

     Currently, I am living in  Deltona, Florida, USA after just coming back from Puerto Rico where I was for four years; where I spent my childhood and I worked on developing a small business in education, another in the food industry, finished my Master's in Adult Education (Andragogy) and helped my dad fight against cancer... which he won (THANKS TO A GOD THAT STILL HEALS SINCE AFTER FOUR OPERATIONS, FOUR SESSONS OF CHEMO THERAPY AND FOUR SESSIONS OF RATIO THERAPY HE CAME OUT TO BE POSITIVE IN A PETSCAN... YET, I PRAYED AND HE WAS NEGATIVE IN THREE BIOPSIES) and now is he undergoing plastic surgery for the fourth time to fix the mess from the first two operations...

     Who are you? Your life in others... TEACHER, TUTOR, BUSINESS DEVELOPER & SERVANT... I love to meet new people daily its like a vice... I am very down to earth with people I know and get to know well. Mostly searching for life meaning or purpose on a daily base. I do not know what my future holds yet; I know who holds my future.. . GOD

     “Who are you? Your Life in Others”

     How you affect others determines the essence of who you are. Being a Latino/Hispanic or as I call it an “Americano” in the United States of America is being part of a change in demographics, politics and the face of our Nation and therefore our world. Hispanics/Latinos or again as I prefer “Americanos”; since America is a Spanish name given by an Italian conqueror; need to honor, understand and accept our history to move on into and be able to understand our present and work effectively in our future together in synergy. We are the heartbeat of America! Being here at this time of transition, demands a responsibility of participation by all Americanos in every aspect of our neighborhoods, schools, cities, counties, states and Nation. We must provide a helping hand in this transition not only to other Americanos; but also non-Americanos Americans.

     I was born in Brooklyn, New York from American citizen parents born in Puerto Rico.  I was registered at birth in Brooklyn, NY as Luis Angel Ramos (Irizarry- mother's last name used in Puerto Rico), Jr.  I should have been registered as the third since my dad is also registered as Junior.  Anyways, my name is a combination my grandfathers' names: Luis Ramos Valentin, Sr. (Veteran of WWII and Korea) and Angel Irizarry Tevenal, Sr. (Railroad Engineer in Puerto Rico) both from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico.  I was born in Brooklyn, New York.  I grew up in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico accross the street from the beach and near all my family, my church, my school and great friends.

     As the first generation in my family to attend college, education is higher priority in my life for me in America, Latin-America and the world. I believe this passion for education comes from being bilingual and bicultural. Social Sciences have always been my forte and my best grade in elementary in Aguadilla Puerto Rico as well as in middle school in Yonkers, New York as well as in high school in New Bedford, Massachusetts and in college (University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla & Engineering College of Mayaguez, Reading Community College, Reading, PA, Kutztown University of Pennsylvania and finally Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico, Aguadilla).

     In May 2013 I finished my Master's in Adult Education with a 4.00 GP.A. from the Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico.  In May 1995 I received a BSBA in Business Management with an Emphasis in International Business from Kutztown University of Pennsylvania. In June 1993 I received an AAS in Human Resource Management from Reading Area Community College. I also finished the Pre-Engineering Program with Honors at the University of Puerto Rico in the Aguadilla and the Engineering College of Mayaguez. I earned 100 credits and finished one year of Business Management courses earning certificates on academic excellence and extracurricular activities representing the Regional College of Aguadilla at the national theater competition as the lights and sound technician where we won first place. My best experience at the University of Puerto Rico was to be a student guide Counselor for new students as part of the Counseling Department. Back in 1992-93, I was accepted in several Universities to complete my bachelors in Electrical Engineering at the mainland including: Penn State, Parks Illinois University, Florida State, UMASS and Northeastern University in Boston, MA. Yet; I decided to move to continue my studies part time while working full time with the family of my best high school friend (Peruvian and Puerto Rican) from Massachusetts to their new home in Pennsylvania. The first day I moved to Reading, PA, I crossed the street and enrolled to finish my associate’s degree at the local community college. I worked full time as a banker and at the local mall to pay for my education and personal expenses living on my own. Upon graduation my co-workers at the bank gave me a great farewell since I was hired by Aetna Health Insurance. They made me wear hat and celebrated me with presents and the news that four of them were going to start college and thanked me for my constant and “annoying but needed advice on finishing their education”. They were very honest since I was the only male and Americano working at the bank. I ended up working “on call” for the bank on weekends when needed. I applied to Kutztown University of Pennsylvania for my BS part time and after two classes I made the difficult decision to take on several loans to finish my education full time at the age of 23 years old.

     My experience at Kutztown University of PA Kutztown, PA was unequally rich of experiences like never before. I received the Alumni Service Award 1995, served as: International Students Organization- President, Latino Student Association- Vice President, Student Mentor for the Academic Alliance for the Retention of Minority Students, International Business Club, Represented the University at the Latinos in Pennsylvania Conference 1995. My Graduation Story was featured in the Reading Eagle Newspaper on Graduation Date! My Senior year Internship: Translator for a Minority Business Development Center & Entrepreneurial Development& Global Education Center (The Center received White House and Presidential recognition in Spring 1995/Finalist for a United Nations Educational Award in Spring 1995). I helped three clients develop business plans and marketing strategies: grocery store future owner, a restaurant owner and shoe-store owner/designer. My Senior Year Part Time Job- Boy Scouts of America Cub Master/Program Assistant - Coordinated a National Pilot Program with inner city kids in three Public Elementary Schools in Reading, PA (1995). I served as a BSA Career Day Speaker at Reading High School & at PEPP Summer Youth Leadership Program at Penn State Berks (1995-96).

     My Management Skills have taken me into Leadership in community work on a city, county, state and national level and also into higher education as: Director of Development, Director of Student Services/Marketing, Education Consultant, Financial Aid and Leads Generator, Admissions Advisor/Community Mentor/ Recruiter, Assistant Director for Multicultural Services and Director of Marketing/Advertising.

     In my years in Florida, I worked in factories, a cafeteria, as a sales manager in International Drive, as a administrative assistant in Daytona Beach, as a teller, youth activities coordinator, community festivals organizer, concerts advisor, voter registration specialist, parades participant, as a college recruiter, as a teacher's substitute, as talent show organizer, volunteer overseer... and other citizenship commitments that have made me a representative of the people of Deltona, Volusia County and Florida...  Former YEC Community Advisory Board, Former: 1st Deltona Coordinator for Boys & Girls Club, 1st Deltona Coordinator for YMCA Hispanic Achievers National Program Pilot, Former District Executive Director for Volusia West Boy Scouts of America, Former, Coordinator for Project Safe (Youth Alcohol, Tobacco & Drug Prevention Program for Middle Schools in Deltona through monthly activities and a Parent Awareness Contract) & Former Board Member for The House Next Door, Inc., Former Chair for the Youth Committee & Board Member for Volusia County Hispanic Association, Former Public Relations Person & Chair Person for The Hispanic Heritage Celebration for El Santuario Worship Center, Former Diversity Trainer at P.R.H.S./Substitute Teacher/Community Advisory Board to Help "Breach The Gap to Stop the Hispanic Student's. Drop Out Rate" at Volusia County Schools, Former Community Mentor/ Recruiter/ Admissions Advisor and now GED Professor for Daytona State College & Volusia Hispanic Volusia Chamber Chair of Economic Development & Education Committees...

     My goal is to work with organizations that promote multicultural, educational, and good ethics in today's global market. I enclose my resume and other documents for your review. As a coordinator, business developer, assistant director, director, executive and volunteer for several institutions in the Volusia County, Central Florida area and Puerto Rico and Pennsylvania I have developed training skills, public relations skills, job training skills, educational procedures skills, fundraising skills, supervision skills, sales and promotional skills I would be using for any partner organization.

     I find myself to be a community liaison or bridge between people and organizations and their goals and accomplishments. This is a great time and opportunity to use my Community Leadership, Higher Education experience: teaching, tutoring and mentoring skills.

     I have had the honor of listening to great speakers that left their footprint in one way or another in the history of this era:

• Margaret Thatcher (UK) British Prime minister

• Forbes- Magazine Owner

• Bill OReilly

• US Secretary of Education Dr. Rod Paige

• His Excellency Elias Antonio Saca President of the Republic of El Salvador

• Dra Antonia Novello 1st Woman/PR- US Surgeon now Dir NY Dep’t of Health

• Hector Barreto, Jr.- US Dir. of Small Bus & Hector Barreto, Sr. -Founder US Hispanic Chamber of Commerce

• Coach Yoast & Coach Boone:The Real Life Coaches from Alexandria, GA on whose real life story the movie "Remember The Titans" was based

• PR Governor Sila Calderon

• Governor Luis Fortuno

• Governor Jeb Bush

• President Bush

• President Clinton

• Dr. Juan Andrades, President of the United States Hispanic Leadership

• Dr. Samuel Betances, Educator/Motivator/Writer

• Dr. Jose D. Batista (Identity Theory) Motivator/UN Advisor from Aguadilla, Puerto Rico

• President Clinton at Kutztown University of PA in 1995

• Charlie Crist FL Gobernor and former FL Secretary of Education/FL State Attorney

• US Senator John Mica (Volusia County) and many others...

   

       I would love to continue to listen to great speakers and meet them in person. I would love to meet anyone who makes a diference in other people's life on purpose... Sincere people, true friends; leaders through servanthood..

   

        Desire creates... "We are told that talent creates its own opportunities. But it sometimes seems that intense desire creates not only its own opportunities, but its own talents." ~ Eric Hoffer

   

  My education is as follows:

   

  Class of 2013- Masters in Adult Education, UMET (Metropolitan University of Puerto Rico)

   

  4.0 GPA Classes Taken: Challenges & Controversies Educating an Adult, Innovations and Education Challenges, Leadership in Adult Education, Principles and Systematic Approach Education (two classes & a project to finish program)

   

  1993-1995 Kutztown University of PA Kutztown, PA

   

  B.S.B.A., Business Administration/International Business Management Emphasis

   

  *Received the Alumni Service Award 1995

   

  International Students Organization- President, Latino Student Association- Vice President, Student Mentor for the Academic Alliance for the Retention of Minority Students, International Business Club, Represented the University at the: Philadelphia Puerto Rican Parade & The Latinos in Pennsylvania Conference 1995. My Graduation Story was featured in the Reading Eagle Newspaper on Graduation Date!

   

  *Senior year Internship: Translator for a Minority Business Development Center & Entrepreneurial Development & Global Education Center (The Center received White House and Presidential recognition in Spring 1995/Finalist for a United Nations Educational Award in Spring 1995). I helped three clients develop business plans and marketing strategies: grocery store future owner, a restaurant owner and shoe-store owner/designer.

   

  Senior Year Part Time Job- Boy Scouts of America Cub Master/Program Assistant - Coordinated a National Pilot Program with inner city kids in three Public Elementary Schools in Reading, PA (1995). I served as a BSA Career Day Speaker at Reading High School& at PEPP Summer Youth Leadership Program at Penn State Berks (1995-96).

   

  1992-1993 Reading Area Community College Reading, PA- A.A.S., Human Resource Management- Worked as a Full Time Bank Teller and part time at the Mall while attending school.

   

  1988-1992 University of Puerto Rico Aguadilla & Mayagüez Campuses, PR

   

  Finished Pre-Engineering Program & One Year of Business Management (100 credits)

   

  *Received G.P.A. Honors & Extracurricular Certificate (Community Colleges Drama Competition First Prize for La Cantante Calva Theater 88 Club acting at Rio Piedras and Carolina Campuses)

   

  1986-88 New Bedford High School, New Bedford, MA - (Honors), Scholarship from the Spanish American Club

   

  1983-86- Escuela Superior José de Diego, Aguadilla- Honores & Obtuve un 98% en primera versión de Prueba Puertorriqueña. I received honors certificate & a visit from the Department of Education for my 98% in the first PRCAT tryout in 1986.

   

  1982- Longfellow Middle School, Yonkers, New York- Received The Most Outstanding Graduate Trophy, Physical Education Class Trophy, High Honors with certificates in: English As a Second Language, English, Science, Math & Social Studies.

   

  1979- Eladio J. Vega, Escuela Elementaria Highest GPA- “STEPS Award”, Yearly Scholarship by Commonwealth of Puerto Rico for uniform expenses because of my High Honors GPA. I received Certificates from the Department of Education, Department of Public Housing and the Police Athletic League (Sergeant).

   

       I thank John Hernandez for including my life story in his book about Deltona's history.... I am honored and blessed and bless him and his book!!! Gracias

   

       Congratulations John... You helped many of us when we came to City of Deltona as new residents and I do appreciate your help when you brought Banco Popular to Deltona (where I worked) and the interview at your newspaper when I started working for the Boys & Girls Club of Deltona (while working for DBCC) and also when we, Gladys, You and I) went representing Volusia County Hispanics to the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute Conference in Chicago...

   

  http://www.news-journalonline.com/news/local/west-volusia/2012/03/10/residents-pen-book-on-short-but-diverse-deltona-history.html