ADD SALSA WITHOUT
LOSING YOUR UC FLAVOR
How can we impact Latino student success?

Karlos Ramirez
St. Mary’s University
kramirez@stmarytx.edu
Delma Olivarez
University of Texas – Pan American
olivarezdd@utpa.edu
INTRODUCTIONS
LOS COLEGAS (THE COLLEAGUES)
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 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
THE FOUNDATION/EL
FUNDAMIENTO
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
33%
48%
Mexican
Puerto Rican
Cuban
Other
3%
16%
Source: Excelencia in Education
Institute of Higher Education Policy
How Latino Students Pay for College: Patterns of Financial Aid in 2003-2004
Age/Gender of Students Enrolled
(18-24 year-olds)
Gender Breakdown
Ethnic breakdown
60
60
45
41
50
40
35
31
Whites
30
25
Blacks
24
20
Women
30
Men
Latinos
20
15
Asian/Pacific
Islanders
10
10
4
5
0
Source: NCES, Digest of40Education Statistics,
40
2005
0
Percentage
Percentage
First Generation Status


In 2003-2004, 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 2003-2004
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
State of College Readiness for Latino Students
Student Engagement at Minority Serving
Institutions: Emerging Lessons from the BEAMS
Project
10 Years of Student Engagement Results: Lessons
from NSSE
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