Spotlight: Your Educational Opportunities
Photo: United States University
According to the College Board Advocacy & Policy Center, only 19.2 percent of Latinos have a college degree, less than half the national average of 41 percent.
There are many factors contributing to this, including language barriers, occupation and family responsibilities, and perhaps the most daunting: rising tuition costs. However, there are credible, affordable options to make higher education more accessible for traditionally under-served communities of students, including Latino students.
One of those options is United States University, an institution aimed at addressing the higher education needs of working adults and committed to serving the Latino and immigrant communities. In addition to its two campuses in Southern California, U.S. University offers extensive online courses available for students nationwide. Flexible on-campus, online, and hybrid programs allow students to earn undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of different fields, including education, nursing, and management.
As an institution committed to improving Latino graduation rates, U.S. University provides a unique educational experience built on the following three cornerstones:
Latino students and faculty
The university can boast a 68 percent Latino graduation rate and at the same time, say that 68 percent of their faculty is Latino. The faculty thus reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the student population and the larger community. United States University prides itself in being able to preserve cultural and linguistic diversity on campus and in classrooms. Tom Finaly, Chief Operating Officer of United States University, said:
“Our bilingual staff and faculty help erase the possibility of any language barriers for Latino students while they are receiving their education. Unlike many other universities, our staff and faculty are encouraged to use the Spanish language. Many of our programs such as the Bachelors of Arts in Spanish offer Latinos the opportunity to take advantage of their Spanish-speaking skills with the possibility to later advance to a Bilingual Teaching Credential.”
Photo: United States University
La Familia Model
United States University supports students through a number of innovative programs based on the La Familia Model, a model designed to provide students with a nurturing, supportive, and motivating environment. The La Familia approach to learning includes small class sizes (no more than 30 students), accessibility, and regular faculty feedback. Finaly described:
“To us, the La Familia concept means to treat each student with warmth, encouragement and support. This approach reinforces the importance of succeeding in life through a genuine dedication to high-quality education. We believe higher education is a journey where everyone plays a critical role and all actions are taken to invest in the “youngest” member’s success.”
Scholarships
The university also takes pride in its unprecedented, exclusive scholarship programs to Latino, military and California resident undergraduate and graduate students, which total more than $2.4 million. This year, U.S. University just launched a new scholarship program: Rudolph I. Estrada, the Board Chairman, arranged for $810,000 (up to 200 scholarships) to be set aside for Latino men and women nationwide.
United States University is an ideal choice for Latinos who are seeking an outstanding education in a nurturing environment. If you or someone you know is interested in checking out this dynamic institution, please visit their website.
To learn more about Staff Writer, Adriana, visit The Radical Ideas.
About Adriana Villavicencio