1. Latinos & Latinas in Higher Ed What Constitutes Success? Dr. Victor Chacón, Presenter L.E.A.P. 2008

2. Agenda Introductions – Icebreaker Survey – 3 questions Presentation: issues & data Conclusions, resource sharing

3. Three questions What does it take to succeed academically? How do you define success? Identify it. What stands in your way? What barriers keep you from succeeding in school?

4. Washington Population Source: OFM

5. Projected Growth in Minority School-Age Population 2000 - 2030 Two or More Races Hispanic API AIAN Black White = White, Non-Hispanic Two or More Races: Non-Hispanic Hispanic = Hispanic/Latino (can be of any race) AIAN = American Indian and Alaska Native, Non-Hispanic API = Asian and Pacific Islander, Non-Hispanic Black = Black or African American, Non-Hispanic Key Source: Office of Financial Management, U.S. Census Bureau (Census 2000)

6. WA State Hispanic Teachers/Students % Source: OSPI

7. Indicators Financial, economic Language Pressure: peer Pressure: family Pressure: cultural –Assimilation Relationships and Communication –with Instructors –familiarity w system Academic preparation Personal ambition

8. Financial Need How to pay for school? Education isn’t free Federal Financial Aid Don’t qualify? Oops… Grants Scholarships Savings P/T job Parents Family

9. Language Monolingual or Bilingual? Asset or detriment? Bilingual means Bicultural Code-shifting, frame-shifting Myth: Latinos don’t want to learn English, not assimilating Accent: I’m embarrassed of how I speak Be proud of who you are!

10. Pressures Peers, friends matter I’m not smart... Learning is for wimps You think you’re better than us? Entertainment, fun, & sports trump education You’re young only once I’ll do it later – later, later... Future – what future?

11. Relationships & Communication With – –Your close friends –Instructors, Faculty –Tutors, Mentors –Administrators, Staff –Colleges, Universities –Yourself: Self-examination Personal empowerment Reading, knowledge of issues, literacy Speak up, speak out A.K.S.A. – MC Model

12. Academic Preparation Who runs academia? Who has your interests at heart? What do ‘they’ know about you that you don’t? Stop being a number, communicate! Voice your needs: Tutoring, clarification, support w homework El que no habla...

13. Research Findings Best student-teacher relationships grounded on cultural values, acceptance of who you are Majority of Latinos lack tutor support Family (and friends) trump education Work trumps education Latinos thrive in group learning situations Most 1 st year college students lack math, science skills If it’s meant to be, it’s up to me! (Matier)

14. Source: Post-Secondary Educational Opportunity, 2004

15. Success Skill Development Learn to plan, strategize, organize your life Learn to DREAM* – dreaming’s good! Write Set short & long-term goals for yourself Focus on what you want, not what you don’t Watch your negative self-talk, re-direct Develop networking skills along the way In order to get, learn to give, pay it forward The main thing is to keep the main thing the main thing...don’t get side-tracked