The Cumbres program is part of the College of Education and Behavioral Sciences at the University of Northern Colorado (UNC). Cumbres, which means "peaks" in Spanish, has a special focus: It is a teacher preparation program that recruits students who are committed to working with Hispanic school children, language minority students, and children of poverty in the public schools. UNC students in the Cumbres teacher preparation program are pursuing a specific endorsement in bilingual education or Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), in addition to an endorsement and licensure in K-12 education. While the program is not targeted solely at Hispanic students, enrollment in the program is more than 50% Hispanic.
Institution:
University of Northern Colorado
Academic Level:
Baccalaureate
Issue Area:
Academic Program
Issue Area:
Access
Year:
2009
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Designation:
Finalist
Key Personnel:
Carbajal, Linda
Address:
University of Northern Colorado
Address 2:
Campus Box 106
City:
Greeley
State:
CO
Zip:
80639 Website:
Outcome:
The goal of the Cumbres program is to improve education in the State of Colorado by increasing the number of exceptionally qualified bilingual, bicultural, and ESL teachers teaching in the state's schools. In order to do this, the Cumbres program recruits high school students who are interested in becoming teachers to enroll in the university's Cumbres program. The program targets Hispanic students but is also open to all others who are interested in obtaining a teaching degree and ESL certification.
Notes:
As demonstrated by the numbers below, the Cumbres program is proud to have strong graduation and retention rates for all students as well as for Hispanic students when reviewed as a separate data set. These rates are considerably higher in all areas than those of generally enrolled students, further demonstrating the success of this academic program. Enrollment in the Cumbres program also includes a much higher percentage of Hispanic students than general university enrollment. Fall 2008 Hispanic Enrollment: University-wide 8%. Cumbres Program: 51%. Retention 2006-07 to 2007-08, Hispanic Students: University-wide 65%. Cumbres Program 85%. Graduation Rates, Hispanic Students: University-wide 46%. Cumbres Program 58%.
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