The Indiana Latino Institute, in partnership with 18 Indiana colleges & universities, will offer $11 million in scholarships to Latino students. The Indiana Latino Institute and Indiana colleges & universities will offer $11 million in scholarships for Indiana Latino students

Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) is proud to announce recently enhanced partnerships with Indiana higher education institutions to increase post-secondary education attainment in the Latino community through the Indiana Latino Institute Higher Education Consortium. In addition, many members of this collective have agreed to commit to substantial pledges that offer $11 million in scholarships for academically gifted, low-income Latino youth over the next five years. The Indiana Latino Institute and our higher education partners will present these unprecedented and unparalleled scholarships to ILI Indiana Education Program participants in order to recruit and enroll more Latino students, especially students who often face both cultural and financial barriers to educational attainment.

Since 2017, ILI has been convening representatives from Indiana colleges and universities to discuss the state of Latino education in Indiana through the creation of the Indiana Latino Institute Higher Education Consortium. Presidents, Chancellors and other higher education administrators discussed best practices for helping Latino students learn about post-secondary educational opportunities, assisting them with matriculating and developing academically and professionally, and ultimately preparing these students to graduate and move on to high quality jobs. After the March 2020 Consortium meeting, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)—an agreement to join the Consortium and a commitment to offer scholarships—were presented to and executed by the institutions.
 
The Consortium MOU outlines the commitment between the schools and the Indiana Latino Institute to collaborate on culturally responsive approaches that improve Latino student access and facilitate completion.
 
“Recognizing that more Latino students will succeed by adopting proven, effective strategies, the secondary educational institutions and ILI signed a collaborative agreement to exchange ideas and create action plans that will increase enrollment and degree attainment for our growing Latino population,” stated Indiana Latino Institute President and CEO Marlene Dotson.
 
Pledging to collaborate over five years on activities improving recruitment, retention, and graduation outcomes for Latino students, the following institutions have signed the Consortium MOU:

  • Anderson University
  • Goshen College
  • Grace College
  • Holy Cross College
  • Indiana State University
  • Indiana University (all 7 campuses)
  • Ivy Tech Community College (all 18 campuses)
  • Marian University
  • Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University
  • Oakland City University
  • Purdue University
  • Purdue University – Ft. Wayne
  • University of Evansville
  • University of Indianapolis

As many Latino students face financial obstacles, the Scholarship MOU commits the institution to offer full ride scholarship opportunities annually for Indiana Latino Institute Education Program participants. These generous scholarships will be used to highlight available financial aid options for Latino students.
 
“With Latino high-school graduates enrolling in college at significantly lower rates than their White peers,” affirmed Indiana Latino Institute President and CEO Marlene Dotson, “these substantial scholarships signal to Latino students that they are valued and sought after, and that financial aid is available to them.”
 
The following institutions are signatories to the Scholarship MOU: 

  • Anderson University
  • Goshen College
  • Grace College
  • Holy Cross College
  • Indiana State University
  • Indiana University Bloomington
  • Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
  • Indiana University South Bend
  • Indiana University Southeast
  • Ivy Tech Central Indiana
  • Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart
  • Ivy Tech Evansville
  • Marian University
  • Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University
  • Oakland City University
  • Purdue University
  • University of Evansville
  • University of Indianapolis

“Indiana’s economy will benefit from a better prepared Hoosier Latino workforce,” said Indiana Latino Institute Board Chair Rafael A. Sanchez. “I applaud the colleges that have recognized the increasing number of Latino students and have made commitments to offer scholarships and support these talented students and future Hoosier workers.”
 
College officials praised the effort to increase degree and certificate attainment among Hoosier Latinos.

From Oakland City University

“Oakland City University is committed to engaging in thoughtful academic and career preparation in a diverse and inclusive environment so that all students lead lives of purpose. Our community and educational enterprise is enriched by the experiences that Latino students bring to our classrooms, our resident halls, our student life programming, and our athletic teams. Indiana Latino Institute will facilitate our goals to build a more diverse university where students exude compassion and confidence and become skilled agents of change.”

Oakland City University President Ron D. Dempsey

About the Indiana Latino Institute

The Indiana Latino Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit statewide organization committed to serving Latino communities in Indiana. Its mission is to improve health and advance education for the Indiana Latino community through advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs.

Indiana Latino Institute
http://indianalatinoinstitute.org/
(317) 472.1055
2126 N Meridian St. Suite 100
Indianapolis, IN 46202