Noche Universitaria de Filadelfiaen Español:A Model of Partnership for Spanish-Speaking Families

Dr. Andrew Moe

Associate Dean & Director of Access

Swarthmore College (PA)

#nacacGWI @NACACedu

Nicole Molina

Senior Assistant Director

University of Southern California (CA)

• To cover a Philadelphia-based Spanish-language program developed by college partners

• To review research related to Spanish-speaking population in the United States and needs of these communities

• To offer recommendations to replicate or adapt our program to your community

• To brainstorm ideas on supporting our students coming from Spanish-speaking families

Session Aims and Goals

• From 2000-2014, Hispanic population accounted for more than half the U.S. population growth.

• In 2011 U.S. Census, more than 60 million people spoke language other than English.

• 37 million spoke Spanish or Spanish Creole, representing 62% of other language speakers.

• More than 25% of Spanish-speakers do not know English at all or not well.

• Increase in Spanish-speaking population since 1980 -about 26 million people.

Research

• Older people (i.e., parents) are less likely to speak English very well compared to their children.

• Those with less education attainment and those at or below the poverty line also less likely to know English well - placing our low-income and first-generation college students at a particular disadvantage.

Research

• 12 million undocumented people living in the U.S.; 2 million undocumented children.

• Nearly 10 million come from Latin America, and 76% are Hispanic.

– 47% have less than a high school diploma, compared to 8% of U.S.-born population.

• 65,000 undocumented students graduate from high school each year.

– About half of undocumented students who graduated HS attend college.

Research

Perspectives from Spanish-speaking families

AdmissionsFinancial Aid

• To provide Spanish-speaking families with an opportunity to learn about the college process in the U.S.

• To provide college access information to families sometimes left out of the college admissions process due to language

• To provide families an opportunity to meet with college admissions representatives

• To provide families with literature in Spanish regarding the college process

• To demonstrate area colleges’ commitment to Spanish-speaking families and their needs in the college admissions and financial aid process

Program Aims and Goals

• Cast a wide net of Philadelphia area colleges

• Reached out to 30 area two- and four-year institutions

• Initial conversations to gauge interest

• Google Form

• Planning phone calls

• Delegation of speaking parts

• Google Slides & translation

Partnering with Colleges

• Emailed 537 HS and CBO advisors

• Developed dual-language flyer, email invitations, and registration page

• Save the Date + Invitation

• Online registration

• Reminders

Outreach to Schools/CBOs

• Two moderators - HS counselor and CBO advisor

• Philadelphia area colleges – representing different types of institutions and selectivity

• Hosted by Temple University

• Types of institutions and degrees

• Finding good “fit” institutions and resources

• Decision plans and outcomes

• Financial aid and scholarships

• Financial aid literature from PHEAA in Spanish

Spanish-Language Program

• 93 students and parents registered

• 71 students and parents attended

• 13 colleges participated

• 22 admissions and financial aid officers presented and attended the event

• At least 4 counselors attended – perhaps more

Program Results

• Lengthen the timeline to bring together partners, find moderators and speakers, and publicize the event.

• Make sure you have a database of counselors and CBO leaders before starting.

• Retrieve feedback from attendees. What worked well? What should we improve?

• Location: Hold event in neighborhood convenient to the Latino community

Recommendations

• Financial Aid:

– Topic needs to be covered by a native speaker in order to facilitate explanation and discussion of the topic.

• Undocumented students:

– Include information for undocumented student population and how financial aid is handled for this group.

• Timing considerations:

– Topic related to differences between post secondary education in U.S. and Latin American countries took longer. Allow more time to cover this topic for families.

Recommendations

• Sent physical materials to registered families

• Spanish-speaking admissions & financial aid officers

• Espanol@swarthmore.edu and phone number

• Invite families to campus

• Provide information about the College, admissions and financial aid in Spanish

• Emails about undocumented-friendly policies in English & Spanish

• Admitted family webinar in Spanish w/ campus partners

So what else?

What do you do? Ideas?

Questions & Comments?

Andrew Moeamoe1@swarthmore.edu

Nicole Molinamolinan@usc.edu