BCTC recognized for Hispanic education initiatives

LEXINGTON, Ky. (Sept. 15, 2015)—Bluegrass Community and Technical College (BCTC) was recognized at a press conference in Washington, D.C. by the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics.

The school’s Latino Outreach and Student Services Office was announced as a “Bright Spot,” a designation that highlights initiatives that target, address, and invest in key education priorities for Hispanics.  The office was created in 2005 to meet the educational needs of Kentucky’s rapidly growing Latino population.

Latino Outreach directs and facilitates creative, interactive programs designed to increase student/family awareness of college opportunities, cultivate student leadership and self-awareness, and build community and peer-to-peer mentoring. Specifically, the office provides admissions, financial aid and scholarship coaching and academic advising to Latino and immigrant students in the Bluegrass Region.

Currently in Kentucky, only 21 percent of Latinos ages 25-64 have an associate’s degree or higher. Since 2005, Latino student enrollment at BCTC has increased from 154 students (Fall 2005) to 547 students (Fall 2014), a 255% increase, and annual degrees and credentials conferred by BCTC to Latino students has increased from 24 (2005-2006) to 98 (2013-2014). BCTC is the state’s leading two-year institution in awarding associate degrees, diplomas, and certificates to Latino students.