IUN’s support of Latino students earns national recognition

Gary-based IU Northwest is one of four finalists from across the country in line for the 2024 Examples of Excelencia.

The honor is presented by Excelencia in Education, which is a national organization working to improve Latino student success to higher education.

Excelencia in Education selected the four baccalaureate program finalists for addressing achievement gaps and advancing equity for Latino students.

The recognized IU Northwest program, Pedagogical Interest Groups, was created in 2016. The program aims to improve Latino student success. It addresses declining retention and graduation rates and rising DFW rates (students who finish a course with a D, F or withdrew).

“At that time, many Latino students faced high DFW rates and nearly half left within the first year,” said Mark Hoyert, College of Arts and Sciences dean, in a press release . “As the most diverse campus within Indiana University, this data told us we were not effectively meeting our students’ academic needs and providing the support and resources they needed to be successful.”

IU Northwest faculty and staff created PIGs to find techniques relevant to Latino students. The faculty were able to enhance their teaching practices and redesign curricula. They also introduced summer programs and offered seminars.

“These efforts focused specifically on the struggles of Latino students,” Hoyert said. “But the overarching goal was not only for Latino students but for all to master course content, earn higher grades and achieve higher retention and graduation rates.”

IU Northwest evolved from having 17% Latino students in 2015 to becoming a Hispanic-Serving Institution with nearly 30% Latino students. Graduation rates for Latino students increased from 21.2% in 2015 to 38.4%.

IU Northwest was selected through a review of 103 program submissions. The submissions were from colleges, universities and community-based organizations across 20 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. Since 2005, Excelencia has recognized over 400 programs making a positive difference for Latino students across the country.

IU Northwest is one of seven campuses of Indiana University. It serves over 3,600 students. About 26% of students are Hispanic. Nearly half of the students attending IU Northwest are the first in their family to attend and graduate from college.

(Photo provided by Indiana University Northwest)

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