Hispanic Graduation Rates at Local Colleges

An interesting article I found on the San Gabriel Valley Tribune online edition. (www.sgvtribune.com)

Report: Area colleges graduating higher percentage of Hispanic students
By Tracy Garcia, Staff Writer
Posted: 03/28/2010 07:02:50 AM

A new report says far too many four-year colleges and universities are graduating fewer than half their Hispanic students - but locally, Whittier College, Biola University and the University of La Verne are proving to be the exceptions. A recent survey of national college graduation data by the American Enterprise Institute showed 51 percent of Hispanic students who start college complete a bachelor's degree in six years - compared to 59 percent of white students.
The disparity holds true no matter the ability of the students or the reputation of the schools, AEI researchers said. Even many federally designated "Hispanic-serving" institutions are graduating less than 50 percent of their Hispanic students, the report said.
"These data show quite clearly that colleges and universities cannot place all of the blame on students for failing to graduate," said AEI researcher Andrew P. Kelly.
"Colleges struggling to graduate their Hispanic students should learn from the successes of leaders like Whittier College, which has successfully closed the gap between its Hispanic and white students," Kelly said.

The report shows Whittier College's six-year graduation rate is 63 percent for Hispanics and 58 percent for white students.
"Almost a third of our students are Latino, so I think they find a home when they arrive here," Whittier College President Sharon Herzberger said.
"But the things that are working for us to promote success among Latinos are the same efforts we make to promote success with African- American and white students as well," Herzberger said. "It's not a specific effort aimed at just Latinos."
That includes having a diverse student body, a strong financial aid program that enables students to continue their education and the school's Living and Learning communities, which pair groups of students taking the same courses.
As such, Herzberger said, students "get the opportunity to know the faculty; they have the support provided by being a member of a small class; and they get to know each other and upper-class students as well."
Hispanic students at the University of La Verne graduate at rate of 56 percent - two percent higher than the rate for white students. At Biola University in La Mirada, the AEI report showed an even better six- year graduation rate: 71 percent among Hispanics compared to 69 percent for white students. "I think that can be attributed to the relationships and quality of mentoring with the faculty, staff and students," said Carrie Stockton, director of academic advising and student retention. Last spring, the private Christian university launched a new Retention Council to be more strategic in getting all students to graduation, Stockton said. "Students make a connection here, and they want to stay and graduate," she said. "Biola provides the opportunity for students to have a Christ-centered way of thinking about spiritual issues, and that's meeting a need for students."
For the AEI study, researchers said they used data from the U.S. Department of Education to examine graduation rates. The schools were grouped by how selective they are in admitting students, from noncompetitive to most-competitive. The crucial factor to good Hispanic graduation rates, the study's authors argued, is having an institution-wide commitment to graduating all students. And with the rapid growth in the Hispanic population, it's particularly important to make sure all students are succeeding in their educational goals, experts say.
"Educating all students well and getting them across the finish line is the biggest challenge facing higher education today," said Hilary Pennington, director of Education, Postsecondary Success and Special Initiatives at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, which provided the grant for the AEI study. "These are students who are going to replace the baby boomers," Pennington said, "and who we will rely on to drive our economy over the next several decades."

tracy.garcia@sgvn.com
562-698-0955, ext. 3051

He's Got the Whole World in His Hands

All of us at the Crystal C. Chavez Foundation would like to personally send our deepest prayers and condelecences to the family of Agustin Roberto "Bobby" Salcedo.

Salcedo a product of Mountain View High School and member of the El Monte City School Board, was gunned down with five other men on New Year's Eve in the Mexican town of Gomez Palacio. He and his wife were visiting his wife's family there for the Christmas holiday (San Gabriel Valley Tribune Online).

Nothing can prepare you death especially an unexpected and tragic one like Bobby's, but I (like many Americans) find peace and comfort with God and I know that He's Got the Whole World in His Hands. He allowed Bobby's life to be an example for us all and we should rejoice in celebrating his life and keeping his values alive and moving forward in our community.

Bobby, we will never forget you and thank you for giving us your life to celebrate and remember always.

Community Meetings in South El Monte

Attention all South El Monte residents, or those of you who can inform your S.E.M. friends/family/relatives.

The "City of Achievement" will be holding three upcoming community meetings to get input as to what uses residents want in a new community center through Prop 84 funding. Potential ideas for the funding include: boxing gym, fitness center, skate park, racquetball courts with locker facilities and community meeting rooms.

The meeting dates are as follows:

Thursday, January 14, 2009 from 6pm-8pm
Saturday, January 23, 2009 from 11am-1pm
Thursday, January 28, 2009 from 6pm-8pm

At the South El Monte Senior Center
1556 Central Avenue, South El Monte

(Find parking in the rear, behind Community Center or on streets)

There will also be a public hearing on Thursday, February 9, 2009 from 6-7pm at the City Council Chambers located at 1415 N. Santa Anita Avenue.

For more information please contact 626 579 6540.

Go. Get informed. It's your community and we should all contribute to make it a safer, healthier, more prosperous place to live. You also will likely get the opportunity to meet the new City Mayor, Luis "Louie" Aguinaga and the other council members.

You can also check out the city's website at: http://www.ci.south-el-monte.ca.us/

Have a productive week and chose to make it a great day.

Maze and Carnival at New Hope Community Church

New Hope Community Church PRESENTS:

AMAZING MAZE

October 29th and October 30th at 6pm

AMAZING MAZE and CARNIVAL

October 31st at 6pm

Ther will be Food, Games and Prizes!!!!

New Hope Community Church is located at 3041 Peck Road, El Monte. (626) 442-2554

Kudos for a job WELL DONE

We would like to give Kudos to the 5 Points Rotary Club of El Monte for a very successful and fun annual spagetthi dinner yesterday that was held at the Grace T. Black Auditorium. Much needed funds were raised through ticket sales, and raffle to benefit Rotary's philanthropic projects.


Additionally, the El Monte Union High School District held it's annual COLLEGE NIGHT at the El Monte High School gymnasium. Many college and university representatives were in attendance. Special Thanks to the EMUHSD Superintendent Nick Salerno, Board of Trustees and Mrs. Margina Berg (and staff) who were instrumentally in the implementation of College Night for our students and community.

Crystal C. Chavez Speaks at "Career Day" for THINK Together Jersey Elementary Students and Parents

On October 22, 2009 I addressed students, parents and teachers at the 10th Lights On Afterschool "Career Day" at Jersey Elementary School in Sante Fe Springs. The auditorium was filled to capacity and students were really excited to be there. But most importantly, it was the parents who were in attendance which really made a difference.

It was a really inspiring to listen to the students' "When I grow up..." speeches. During my address to the audience I spoke about my passions and career, and how I got there. It was an honor to share my insight of success and dreams to the next generation.

For more information, please visit:

www.thinktogether.org and www.afterschoolalliance.org

America is too big for small dreams, so DREAM big. I know I do. So, NEVER STOP DREAMING.

Thanksgiving Fest

First Family Church will be putting on it's 5th annual Thanksgiving Fest. This annual event will provide over 3,000 free meals, live music and resources ALL for FREE.

November 22, 2009

11am

First Family Church is located at 8434 S. Greenleaf Avenue, Whittier, CA 90602

(562) 698-6737

www.firstfamilychurch.net

To find out how you can volunteer, support, or donate please call or visit the church website.

Together we can can make a world of a difference to help our neighbors during this holiday season. Lookin' forward to a great event and if you can, please volunteer or be a sponsor!