Post by Bornthrilla on Oct 18, 2006 9:35:36 GMT -5
Article published Oct 18, 2006
Historically black colleges boost efforts to recruit Latinos
By Lanita Withers
Staff Writer
GREENSBORO — With the Hispanic population now outnumbering the African American population in the United States, historically black colleges and universities are starting to focus some of their recruiting efforts on the burgeoning Latino population.
"At Bennett, in order to grow our enrollment, we're going to have to take a look at the Latina population," said Ulisa Bowles, the college's director of admissions.
Bowles said there are more Hispanic women entering high schools than African American women, which could have ramifications for the college for women down the road.
"Ten years out, we're going to have to address that population," she said. "We're not going to have enough students if we only have one population. Naturally, the next population that we're really interested in is the Hispanic community."
Greensboro, North Carolina and the United States have seen tremendous growth in the Latino population in the past two decades.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Hispanics in Guilford County has increased by more than 700 percent in the past 15 years — from 2,887 people in 1990 to an estimated 23,242 in 2005.
The increase statewide has been almost 600 percent during the same period.
The African American population has seen a more modest growth of 40 percent in Guilford County and about
20 percent statewide in the p ast 15 years.
Bennett isn't alone in its recruitment efforts.
Winston-Salem State has experienced an increased interest from the Latino community, said X. Maurice Allen, the director of undergraduate admissions. "We are expanding our efforts and we are going to structure and coordinate our efforts to generate more visibility and interest within Latino/Hispanic communities. "
The university is hiring an admissions officer fluent in Spanish and, if they're lucky, proficient in Portuguese as well, Allen said.
N.C. A&T is also reaching out to the growing community. It has several publications printed in Spanish, recruits at high schools with heavy Hispanic populations and is in contact with organizations that are managed or run by Latinos, said Lee Young, the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs/ enrollment management.
Maria Palmer, the new director of A&T's multicultural student center, said her presence is evidence of the university's commitment.
"I'm Hispanic, I'm bilingual, and I'm very committed to bringing in Hispanics to A&T," Palmer said. "I realize that's part of my mandate, that the multicultural center means more than a place where white and Anglo students can hang out. It now has to truly be a hub for the campus to recruit and involve students from all ethnicities and racial groups."
The president of the United Negro College Fund said the nation's two largest minority groups have things in common.
"They are both underserved communities when it comes to higher education," said Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the fund. "We have got to educate them so that we can have a competitive work force in the 21st century."
Despite the historically black schools' outreaches to Latino students, officials don't think the recruitment will affect their institutions' strong histories and traditions.
"It does not diminish the fact that we are and always will be a historically black university," Allen said.
The Associated Press and news researcher Diane Lamb contributed to this report.
Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com
Historically black colleges boost efforts to recruit Latinos
By Lanita Withers
Staff Writer
GREENSBORO — With the Hispanic population now outnumbering the African American population in the United States, historically black colleges and universities are starting to focus some of their recruiting efforts on the burgeoning Latino population.
"At Bennett, in order to grow our enrollment, we're going to have to take a look at the Latina population," said Ulisa Bowles, the college's director of admissions.
Bowles said there are more Hispanic women entering high schools than African American women, which could have ramifications for the college for women down the road.
"Ten years out, we're going to have to address that population," she said. "We're not going to have enough students if we only have one population. Naturally, the next population that we're really interested in is the Hispanic community."
Greensboro, North Carolina and the United States have seen tremendous growth in the Latino population in the past two decades.
According to data from the U.S. Census Bureau, the number of Hispanics in Guilford County has increased by more than 700 percent in the past 15 years — from 2,887 people in 1990 to an estimated 23,242 in 2005.
The increase statewide has been almost 600 percent during the same period.
The African American population has seen a more modest growth of 40 percent in Guilford County and about
20 percent statewide in the p ast 15 years.
Bennett isn't alone in its recruitment efforts.
Winston-Salem State has experienced an increased interest from the Latino community, said X. Maurice Allen, the director of undergraduate admissions. "We are expanding our efforts and we are going to structure and coordinate our efforts to generate more visibility and interest within Latino/Hispanic communities. "
The university is hiring an admissions officer fluent in Spanish and, if they're lucky, proficient in Portuguese as well, Allen said.
N.C. A&T is also reaching out to the growing community. It has several publications printed in Spanish, recruits at high schools with heavy Hispanic populations and is in contact with organizations that are managed or run by Latinos, said Lee Young, the associate vice chancellor for academic affairs/ enrollment management.
Maria Palmer, the new director of A&T's multicultural student center, said her presence is evidence of the university's commitment.
"I'm Hispanic, I'm bilingual, and I'm very committed to bringing in Hispanics to A&T," Palmer said. "I realize that's part of my mandate, that the multicultural center means more than a place where white and Anglo students can hang out. It now has to truly be a hub for the campus to recruit and involve students from all ethnicities and racial groups."
The president of the United Negro College Fund said the nation's two largest minority groups have things in common.
"They are both underserved communities when it comes to higher education," said Michael Lomax, president and CEO of the fund. "We have got to educate them so that we can have a competitive work force in the 21st century."
Despite the historically black schools' outreaches to Latino students, officials don't think the recruitment will affect their institutions' strong histories and traditions.
"It does not diminish the fact that we are and always will be a historically black university," Allen said.
The Associated Press and news researcher Diane Lamb contributed to this report.
Contact Lanita Withers at 373-7071 or lwithers@news-record.com