Linda Chavez isn't familiar with the 9-to-5 workday.
A Fox News analyst and chairman of the Center for Equal Opportunity, Chavez was the highest-ranking woman on former President Ronald Reagan's staff and was the first Hispanic woman nominated to the U.S. Cabinet.
Chavez is scheduled to speak today at 8 p.m. in the Reitz Union Grand Ballroom, but she's not going to focus on the work she's done.
"I'm going to speak about the progress that has been made by Hispanics in the United States and some of the misconceptions people have of the Hispanic population," she said. "A lot of people think of it as a disadvantage, but they're not aware of the progress [that has been made]."
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month, Chavez is raising awareness of some of the key issues affecting the Hispanic community, such as immigration, affirmative action and education.
"Not enough young Hispanics are going to college today," Chavez said. "We need to ask ourselves, 'How can we try to increase the number of Hispanics going to college?'"
Higher education is important to Chavez, who said she credits her own success to doing well in school.
"I grew up poor and worked my way through college," she said.
Due to her academic success, Chavez said she was able to move up the economic ladder and pursue a career in politics.
Although she has worked with many former presidents and senators, there is one politician she would still like to meet.
"President Obama is the first president in a very long time I haven't met personally," Chavez said. "I'd love to meet him. I'd love to interview him, too."
"We don't necessarily see eye-to-eye on certain things," she added.
One of those "things" is the direction of the economy, and Chavez believes this hot-button issue should be of major concern to students and soon-to-be graduates.
"I think the class of 2010 should be worried," Chavez said. "I think this is the first time in history students may face a future with less economic opportunity than their parents."
Tonight's event is coordinated by Accent and the Hispanic Student Association.
