ROCKLAND, NY (February 23, 2021) – Rockland Community College is partnering with Excelencia in Education to share the release of “25 Years of Hispanic-Serving Institutions (HSIs),” a robust analysis designed to inform New York educational policy makers, academic researchers, and elected officials about how best to serve Latino/a students in higher education.
Last year marked the 25th anniversary of the first federal funding received by HSIs. Since then, Excelencia in Education has chronicled the impact and changes of HSIs over the years. This new analysis comes at a critical time when a record number of Latino students should be enrolling at colleges and universities.
“Closing equity gaps in degree attainment requires investing in the institutions enrolling and graduating Latino students in our states and across the country,” said Deborah Santiago, Excelencia’s CEO. “Learning what these institutions are doing to intentionally serve Latino students and accelerating their impact is critical at the state and federal levels.”
Rockland Community College has received two five-year, $2.9 million grants through the Title V Developing Hispanic-Serving Institutions program from the U.S. Department of Education to support the development and implementation of RCC’s five Academic Schools model and increase participation and improve retention and graduation.
“We are committed to supporting students from diverse backgrounds—including low-income, first generation, and minority/Latino—and providing the assistance they need to remove barriers to degree completion. With over half of all Latino undergraduates enrolling in community colleges, we are proud to partner with Excelencia in Education to bring attention to how higher education can better serve Latino students and their communities,” stated Dr. Michael A. Baston, President of Rockland Community College.
A public briefing, followed by a Q&A will be held this week on Thursday, February 25 from 10 a.m. to 11:30 a.m., to discuss the report and bring attention to the fact that HSIs and emerging HSIs in New York enroll and graduate a disproportionate number of the Latino students needed for an educated workforce and citizenry.
The briefing will feature a series of discussions with leaders from Excelencia in Education, along with University at Albany President Havidán Rodríguez, SUNY Chancellor Jim Malatras, CUNY Chancellor Felix Matos Rodríguez, Rockland County Community College President Michael Baston, Borough of Manhattan Community College President Anthony Munroe and New York State Assemblywoman Maritza Davila.
The event is free and open to the public. Registration is required. Click here to register.
About Excelencia in Education:
Excelencia in Education accelerates Latino student success in higher education by promoting Latino student achievement, conducting analysis to inform educational policies, and advancing institutional practices while collaborating with those committed and ready to meet the mission. Launched in 2004 in the nation’s capital, Excelencia has established a network of results-oriented educators and policymakers to address the U.S. economy’s needs for a highly educated workforce and engaged civic leaders. For more information, visit: http://www.EdExcelencia.org.
About Rockland Community College
Rockland Community College, State University of New York, offers a safe, supportive learning environment for thousands of students from diverse backgrounds who appreciate small class sizes and personal attention from a distinguished, award-winning faculty that includes Fulbright scholars and SUNY Distinguished Professors. Thanks to the school’s affordable tuition, students who begin their career journey at RCC and then transfer to a four-year college can save up to $100,000 on their education. RCC is also proud to provide career training and professional development to adult learners looking to change careers or upgrade their skills through its Career Skills Academy. More information can be found at sunyrockland.edu.
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