Mesa College has been awarded a $2.62 million Title V federal grant to serve Latino, first generation and low-income students, two years after becoming eligible for the funding.
Mesa was among nearly two dozen colleges and universities across the U.S. chosen as part of the government’s $60 million Title V program, to attempt to expand opportunities for Latino students. The funding is to be administered over five years.
Mesa’s successful proposal, “Proyecto Exito” – which translates to Project Success – includes instructional and student support programs to strengthen the college’s ability to serve underrepresented populations.
The college estimates that the number of Latino students on campus had jumped to 32 percent by last fall.
“Our student population mirrors that of the greater San Diego area, and as such our commitment to our growing population of Latino students is critical,” said Pamela Luster, Mesa’s president, in a news release. “Their success is our success, and as educated citizens our students contribute to greater economic advances for our community and the region.”
The funding will be used to:
- Train faculty and staff to improve teaching and student services
- Offer basic skills and college credit courses
- Develop a peer-mentoring program for at-risk students, and
- Create new spaces for teaching and learning, such as a student engagement center.
This is the first time Mesa College, which was designated in April 2012 as an eligible Hispanic-Serving Institution, has secured a Title V grant.
Palomar and San Diego City colleges have received the grant in the past.
