NCCHC Discusses Needs for Latino College Students

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The college enrollment numbers for Latinos have steadily risen in recent years. However, Latino students still lag behind other racial and ethnic groups in obtaining two- and four-year degrees. In an effort to curb this trend, the National Community College Hispanic Council (NCCHC) has determined that addressing strategies at an institutional level are needed to help Latino students.

“It is up to us to identify the challenges community college Latino students face but also to let them know there is hope,” said Maria Harper-Marinick, chancellor of the Maricopa Community College District and NCCHC president.

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The group also identified a strong need for diversity and equity “beyond the student body” at the community college level. Also, providing assistance in filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) was also identified as a need as many students have barriers to financial aid. One cause for this is the transient nature of many Latino community college students; many have been found to be either homeless or at-risk for becoming homeless.

“Many students are low-income; other are in some cases homeless and need support just like everyone else,” said Harper-Marinick. “That is the difference between equity and equality. These are real challenges, and it’s not as if students would not want to be full-time if they could afford it.”