Washington, DC (August 7, 2006) – Congressman Rubén Hinojosa (TX-15) today announced that the U.S. Department of Education has awarded Coastal Bend College – Educational Institutions Instruction with a grant for $700,000 under the Strengthening Institutions – Hispanic Serving Institutions program. It is expected that this grant will be for a total of five years.
“Raising the level of educational attainment and providing Hispanics with opportunities to further their educational careers is critically important,” said Congressman Hinojosa. “Our nation’s HSIs are uniquely positioned to close the achievement gap and the time is now to address the needs of Hispanic students. This grant will provide Coastal Bend College with the resources it needs to show high school students that college is attainable, and that furthering your education is a critical component to a successful future.”
Coastal Bend College will use the funds for “Improving Hispanic Attainment in South Texas: Building Community among the High School, the Community College, and the University,” a cooperative agreement with the University of Houston – Victoria (UHV). The project will provide needed services and programs aimed at keeping the educational pipeline open to Hispanics, low-income and traditionally under-represented students who attempt a baccalaureate degree. Goals of the project include: expanding outreach, admissions, and retention capacities; increasing student persistence and transfer rates; building distance learning capacities; and, increasing educational attainment at the Bachelor’s level.
The project has three components:
• Component I focuses on outreach to six high schools, a summer student success “boot camp,” and a first year experience. The first year experience includes: pairings of English and Psychology courses to improve writing skills while exploring the Mexican-American experience; counseling sessions; university visits; and, mentoring with community leaders.
• Component II focuses on building community between CBC and UHV professionals by improving distance learning infrastructure and by providing joint faculty training.
• Component III consists of an online mentoring program which will build community between UHV and CBC students, thus closing the transition gap from community college to the university.
The HSI Program provides grants to assist HSIs to expand educational opportunities for, and improve the academic attainment of, Hispanic students. The HSI Program grants also enable HSIs to expand and enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability.