Since the mid-1990s, the Hispanic/Latino population of central Kentucky has grown over 254%, and educational institutions at all levels have had to adjust their services and programs to meet the needs of all students served. Bluegrass Community and Technical College epitomizes the Kentucky Community and Technical College motto “Higher Education Begins Here / La Educación Superior Empieza Aquí.” In spring 2005, Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) opened its Office of Hispanic Outreach and Services to serve on a daily basis the needs of the Latino student population with more focused recruitment, community involvement, advising, counseling, mentoring and other student services and programs, and has led the KCTCS system in offering services and outreach by educating system and other college administers, faculty and staff on the needs, cultural differences and perceptions of the Hispanic community. Among its most notable achievements are: College Experience Camp and College Experience Days and Tours, Kentucky Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform Partners, Bluegrass Cup Soccer Tournament, Enlace Hispanic Student Association, Unity Ambassadors, Hispanic Outreach Academic Mentoring Program, Access and Opportunity Summit on the Educational Challenges of Hispanic Community, 1st Annual Latino Student College Fair and Leadership Conference.
Institution:
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Academic Level:
Community College
Issue Area:
Outreach
Issue Area:
Support Services
Year:
2006
Designation:
Examples of Excelencia
Designation:
Finalist
Key Personnel:
Howard, Erin
Address:
Office of Hispanic Outreach and Support Services
Address 2:
Bluegrass Community and Technical College
Address 3:
470 Cooper Dr., 211 Oswald Building
City:
Lexington
State:
KY
Zip:
40506 Goal/Mission:
The office of Hispanic Outreach and Services in the Department of Multicultural Affairs strives to provide access to high quality educational opportunities for students, to promote student success during and after their enrollment in BCTC programs, and to create an atmosphere of acceptance and cultural celebration by linking all communities and peoples.
Outcome:
Latino student enrollment in the area has increased 119% since 2000. At BCTC, enrollment increased 7% from fall 2004 to fall 2005. Over 1000 students have been reached with recruitment and college awareness activities like high school recruitment visits, state-wide Latino student college fair, and community involvement. Students have transferred to the University of Kentucky, Northern Kentucky University, Eastern Kentucky University, as well as out-of-state schools like Florida Southern University. Current and former students have been involved in community organizations such as the Migrant Network Coalition and the Lexington Hispanic Association as well as Kentucky's Coalition for Comprehensive Immigration Reform.
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