Eva Longoria knows the value of Mexican American Studies

Award-winning actor to deliver Nov. 16 keynote at Center for Mexican American Studies scholarship banquet

In May, Eva Longoria completed her master’s degree in Chicana and Chicano Studies and marched in the California State University, Northridge commencement ceremony.

It was a moment of personal achievement for the Texas native, who earned a Bachelor of Science degree in kinesiology from Texas A&M University – Kingsville, and went on to star in the hit Desperate Housewives television series that ran on ABC from 2004 – 2012.

Longoria used her Twitter account to share photos of herself in cap and gown and with her parents on graduation day. “You’re never too old or too busy to continue your education!” she tweeted.

It was also a moment of La Raza pride around the nation when an A-list celebrity and Screen Actor Guild award winner channeled her interest in immigration into a successful pursuit of a graduate degree in her ethnic heritage.

On November 16, Longoria will be in Houston sharing more encouraging words and life experiences about the value of education and the study of Mexican Americans as the keynote speaker at the Center for Mexican American Studies 17th annual Noche Cultural Banquet that raises money for scholarships.

The Center, affectionately called “C-más,” was established on the University of Houston campus in 1972 as an interdisciplinary academic program encompassing the liberal arts, education, and social sciences focusing on the Mexican American and broader Latino experience in the United States.

CMAS has evolved into one of the College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences’ most community-engaged academic units. Its stated mission is to advance knowledge, promote critical thinking and foster the value of service to the community.

The Center has been very successful at attracting some of the nation’s most prominent Latinos as keynote speakers for its annual scholarship fundraising dinner.

Last year, two days after being elected to Congress on November 6, Joaquin Castro spoke at the CMAS banquet. Earlier that year, Castro had introduced his identical twin at the 2012 Democratic National Convention before Julian Castro, Mayor of San Antonio, delivered the keynote address.

Since its inception, CMAS has raised more than $3 million in scholarship funds through its annual banquet and about $2 million toward an endowment for the Center.

This year’s dinner will be on Saturday, Nov. 16 from 6 – 8 p.m. at the University of Houston Hilton Hotel on the main UH campus. Tickets are $150. For more information, contact Holly Laurenzana at 713-743-3139.