by Danielle Boyd | Feb 3, 2012 | News Slider
The Latino population in Nashville is growing, and Lipscomb is the first local university to reach out to Latino students by offering grants of up to $22,000 per student for those who meet the general admissions requirements. As President Randy Lowry sets new initiatives to increase growth in higher education among Latino students, the Latino community on campus is growing rapidly. In the hopes of increasing diversity and setting a new vision for campus, Lowry appointed Jessie Van de Griek, the director of the Hispanic Achievers program at the Harding Place Family YMCA, to continue bringing students to Lipscomb. “My role on campus is to be a bridge builder,” she said. As the associate dean of intercultural engagement, Van de Griek works with the Latino students on campus to help identify ways to connect the Latino community to Lipscomb. In addition to being a bridge builder, Van De Griek is a mentor to students, helping them understand the importance of higher education and professional development. For many Latino students on campus, Van de Griek played an important role in providing extra assistance in understanding the enrollment process. Jarathzy Lendos, a sophomore majoring in nursing, said, “I didn’t know a lot of the process that goes into applying…and I asked for their help, and they were more than willing to help me out.” Lack of knowledge on the process of attending college and low income are common obstacles of the Latino community, according to Van de Griek. As a result, most Latino students do not even consider attending college. With the help of Lipscomb and the Hispanic Achievers grant program, more...
by Erica Aburto | Nov 30, 2011 | News Slider
Freddy Quiteno, a recent Lipscomb graduate, looked out at the crowd in Allen Arena and said, “Without the YMCA Latino Achievers, I might not be standing here on stage before you. I am deeply grateful for the encouragement and support I received from the staff.” His comments came earlier this month, during the 10th annual dinner honoring YMCA Latino Achievers. Up-and-coming Hispanic college students are the focus of the program. The program has achieved much success in its high school initiatives, which have a 100 percent graduation rate and half of its participants moving on to college. Dinner invitees include national and local businesses that have contributed financially to the organization’s program. The annual event serves as an opportunity not only for local businesses to support a good cause but also for Hispanic professionals to network and serve as mentors and role models to the students. Tabbata Castillo, a senior nursing major, gave the welcome, greeting benefactors with her testimonial about how she has benefitted from the program. Lipscomb students shared what they appreciated about the program. “The Latino Achievers Program has really helped me just by allowing me to be here [at Lipscomb]. If it wasn’t for this program, I wouldn’t even have had the opportunity to go to college,” said Melanie Re, a sophomore studying corporate management. “It was encouraging that there was a program that put hope back in my life,” she said. “Coming to Lipscomb through the program was the best decision I ever made.” Sophomore Oscar Rayo, an interntional business student, said, “Not only did they help me find more scholarships, they also helped me to develop more networks that would connect...
