Knight Foundation has funded Mobilize.org to expand its community-based, millennial-led engagement projects into five Knight communities. Here, Mobilize.org’s CEO Maya Enista Smith, blogs about the organization’s upcoming Target 2020 Summit in Miami, Fla.

On June 1-3, 2012, 100 students from South Florida’s community colleges will gather to identify barriers they face in achieving their educational goals, develop student-led solutions to address them and have the chance to win funding to turn their ideas into a campus or community project. 

It’s the Target 2020 Florida Summit in Miami, Fla. and Mobilize.org is currently recruiting students to participate. Are you a student enrolled in a community college? Have you faced or overcome difficulties in completing your education?  Do you have creative ideas on ways your community and school can better support you and your peers in completing their education?  Could you use a share of $25K to launch your idea? Or do you know a student that could? If so, Mobilize.org wants to hear from you.

All selected Target 2020 participants will receive meals and two-night hotel accommodations, provided by Mobilize.org. Travel reimbursements are also available upon request and approval by the Mobilize.org staff. Participants interested in attending should visit www.mobilize.org/Target2020FL to learn more and apply.

The Mobilize.org team recently announced the participation of Martha J. Kanter, Under Secretary of the U.S. Department of Education, as summit’s Keynote Speaker.

As Under Secretary, Kanter successfully implemented the Direct Student Loan Program. This program resulted in a 50 percent increase in college enrollment, showing her devotion to increasing graduation and employment opportunities for community college students.  With roots as a community college leader in the Foothill-De Anza Community College District, and as an alternative high school teacher, Kanter is well aware of the challenges facing the education system. Her leadership over the years is a testament to the passion she has for educational equity.

To learn more about Mobilize.org’ s programming model, how technology is affecting the way young people communicate and where the future of the Millennial engagement field is heading, check out this Q&A with Smith.