ADD SALSA WITHOUT LOSING YOUR UC FLAVOR How can we impact Latino student success?

INTRODUCTIONS LOS COLEGAS (THE COLLEAGUES) Delma Olivarez University of Texas – Pan American  Karlos Ramirez St. Mary’s University

SESSION OBJECTIVES Understand the “Stories” from Latino Colleagues Explore Today’s Campus Characteristics Employ the Role of the College Union as a back drop for Latino students’ “stories” Share Opportunities/Best Practices with today’s Latino students

Your Expectations

THE FOUNDATION/EL FUNDAMIENTO The union is the community center of the college, serving students, faculty, staff, alumni, and guests. By whatever form or name, a college union is an organization offering a variety of programs, activities, services, and facilities that, when taken together, represent a well-considered plan for the community life of the college. Excerpt from Role of the College Union

Definition of Terms: Identity  Latina/o  Hispanic  Mexican-American  Chicana/o  Mexican  Salvadorean  Puerto Rican  Cuban  South American  Central American  Tejano  American

THE UNION SERVES AS A UNIFYING FORCE THAT HONORS EACH INDIVIDUAL AND VALUES DIVERSITY. THE UNION FOSTERS A SENSE OF COMMUNITY THAT CULTIVATES ENDURING LOYALTY TO THE COLLEGE. Excerpt from Role of the College Union

Hispanics in America  There are 45.5 million Hispanics in the USA (US Census)  They spend $672 billion per year (Standard & Poor’s DRI)  The majority of US Hispanic Households (65%) prefer Spanish over English (Nielsen 2002)  78% of Hispanics want to be marketed to as Hispanics (Guerrilla Mktg)  Hispanics spend.69 hours/day reading newspapers and.28 hours/day reading magazines (Strategy Research Consulting)

Who is (or is not) on campus?  In 2005, Hispanic students represented 11% of total student enrollment in higher education (up 6% from 1990)  Between 2000 & 2005, the number of Hispanics enrolled in undergraduate education increased by 30%. Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2007

Students’ Hispanic Origin Source: Excelencia in Education Institute of Higher Education Policy How Latino Students Pay for College: Patterns of Financial Aid in

Age/Gender of Students Enrolled (18-24 year-olds) Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2005 Ethnic breakdown Gender Breakdown

First Generation Status  In , 29% of Latinos were most likely to be first-generation college students.  Only 29% of Latinos in college had parents who had earned a bachelor’s degree as compared to 41% of all undergraduates. Source: Excelencia in Education Institute of Higher Education Policy, How Latino Students Pay for College: Patterns of Financial Aid in

Hispanic Students are Located…  In 2005, in which 2 states were about 50% of Hispanics enrolled in higher education? Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2007

Hispanic Students are Located…  In 2005, in which 2 states were about 50% of Hispanics enrolled in higher education? California & Texas. Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2007

Hispanic Students are Located…  In which 5 states are almost 75% of Latinos in higher education? Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2007

Hispanic Students are Located… In which 5 states are almost 75% of Latinos in higher education? California, Texas, New York, Florida and Illinois. Source: NCES, Digest of Education Statistics, 2007

Campus Environment for Latinos  “Students should go where they feel comfortable and safe”  “There was no ‘menudo’ at the cafeteria like at this campus; this is ‘more my own people” Excerpts from student comments in Excelencia in Education: Choosing HSIs: A Closer Look at Latino Students’ College Choices

 Although almost all of the students were commuters, many still participated in campus activities…Students highlighted the importance of having a student union or other location on campus where commuting students could mingle with other students. This made them feel more connected to the campus and helped them set up study groups or get needed support and campus information.

¿Que signifíca? Traditionally considered the "hearthstone" or "living room" of the campus, today's union is the gathering place of the college. The union provides services and conveniences that members of the college community need in their daily lives and creates an environment for getting to know and understand others through formal and informal associations. Excerpt from Role of the College Union

Today’s Opportunities with Latino students  Provide a “Connection” - Engage  Recognize the range of diversity among your students  Build Community  Create a Familial environment  Role Model

Great…but I’m not Latino…  ALL students need to be supported in some way to be successful.  Millennial students provide “neutral ground”  Begin a dialog

Q & A  What challenges are you facing in programming for Latinos?  How engaged are your Latino students on your campus?  How do you reach out to or role model for your Latino students?

Additional Resources  Facts on Hispanic Higher Education-Demographics Facts on Hispanic Higher Education-Demographics  State of College Readiness for Latino Students State of College Readiness for Latino Students  Student Engagement at Minority Serving Institutions: Emerging Lessons from the BEAMS Project Student Engagement at Minority Serving Institutions: Emerging Lessons from the BEAMS Project  10 Years of Student Engagement Results: Lessons from NSSE 10 Years of Student Engagement Results: Lessons from NSSE  Advancing Minority High Achievement: National Trends and Promising Programs and Practices Advancing Minority High Achievement: National Trends and Promising Programs and Practices

Additional Resources  Your Campus Latino Administrators/Faculty/Professionals  COMP (Community of Practice for Multi-Ethnic Professionals and Allies) - ACUI  Your University’s Multicultural Office/Center  Excelencia in Education EdExcelencia.org  Your State’s Higher Education Coordinating Board