UIW named a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education

San Antonio – The University of the Incarnate Word – Graduate Support Center has been selected as a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics. The announcement was made by Alejandra Ceja, executive director, on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at the launch of Hispanic Heritage Month and in honor of the Initiative’s 25th anniversary in Washington, D.C.

“There has been notable progress in Hispanic educational achievement, and it is due to the efforts of these Bright Spots in Hispanic Education, programs and organizations working throughout the country to help Hispanic students reach their full potential," said Ceja.

As a Bright Spot, UIW’s Graduate Support Center, will be part of a national online catalog (www.ed.gov/hispanicinitiative) that includes over 230 programs that invest in key education priorities for Hispanics. The Initiative seeks to leverage these Bright Spots to encourage collaboration between stakeholders focused on similar issues in sharing data-driven approaches, promising practices, peer advice, and effective partnerships, ultimately resulting in increased support for the educational attainment of the Hispanic community, from cradle-to-career.

“We are thrilled to be nationally recognized as a high performing department that is making a quantifiable difference in Hispanic graduate education.  The success of our center has been a direct result of our collaborative efforts among various departments, faculty, and a GSC staff that has embraced innovation and a commitment to student engagement," said David A. Ortiz, Ph.D., director, Graduate Support Center.

The Initiative was established in 1990 to address the educational disparities faced by the Hispanic community. To learn more about the Initiative and to view the Bright Spots in Hispanic Education national online catalog visit www.ed.gov/HispanicInitiative.

 

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Photo Caption:  UIW named a Bright Spot in Hispanic Education.  Pictured L-R UIW Graduate Support Center Staff (GSC). Front row Trinidad Macias, graduate assistant, Jessica Mesa, graduate assistant. Back Row Carlos de León, graduate assistant, David A. Ortiz, Ph.D., GSC director.

CONTACT:    Margaret Garcia, associate director communications and marketing, (210) 829-6001, mlgarci2@uiwtx.edu