The most comprehensive event covering all aspects of Latino life in Pennsylvania

On behalf of the Pennsylvania Department of State and Secretary Cortés, we are pleased to announce the appointment of Norman Bristol Colón to serve as the Director of Special Projects | Special Assistant to the Secretary of State, effective today, August 28. Norman brings excellent government and private sector experience and qualifications to this position. Previously, he was appointed by Governor Edward G. Rendell to serve as Executive Director of the Governor’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs (GACLA). He was the youngest appointed and longest-serving executive director in GACLA’s history, serving under two governors – Governor Rendell and Governor Corbett. Norman was one of the founders and first-elected National Chair of the United States Council on Latino Affairs – an organization formed by governor’s boards and commissions, nationally, to advance the status of the more than 55 million Latinos in the United States. He was also elected National Chair of the Interstate Migrant Education Council, a national policy organization based in Washington, DC, that advocates for the nation’s migrant children and families.Norman has served as campaign manager, campaign strategist, political consultant, and staff for school board, city council, judicial, mayoral, county, congressional, gubernatorial and presidential campaigns, and most recently, he ran as a mayoral candidate.Norman is a graduate of the Pennsylvania State University. In June 2015, he was the recipient of the first-ever Doctorate Degree Honoris Causa in Community Service from the Colegio de Formación Teologica Ministerial for his service statewide and nationally to advance the status of the Latino and other underserved communities. A native of Puerto Rico, Mr. Bristol Colon lives in the City of Lancaster where he is an active member of the community and serves on numerous boards and committees.

Senior Advisor to the Governor on issues relevant to the state's more than 700,000 Latino residents. Draft and execute an inclusive-progressive agenda in education, health, economic development, labor and industry, community revitalization, arts and culture, human relations.Improving the social, educational, political and economic status of Latinos in Pennsylvania.

Design, establish and coordinate the Future Planning Center under the leadership of School District Superintendent Vicki Phillips and the Office of SecondaryEducation. The center was a technologically-advanced and information-riched hub for students, parents, teachers, administrators and the community to advance learning at SDoL.

-Develop the university's first comprehensive strategy to recruit Latino students-Recruitment and retention efforts at the university with targeting areas: out-of-state, Latino population, academic excellence-Review and decide on admissions status to the university to all student athletes, and students in my targeted areas and PA counties-Advisor, Society on Latino Affairs - student organization-Served as Academic Advisor to undergraduate students-Liaison to different university committees and departments, and the community

-Federally-funded program providing educational services to students and families of seasonal farm-workers-Ensure compliance with the law-Collaborate with school districts on advancing and strengthening academic skills of migrant students attending their schools-Advocate at all levels of government for migrant students and families in areas of education, health, housing, labor, higher education and human rights