2022 ILI Higher Education Consortium

The Indiana Latino Institute established the Latino Higher Education Consortium to address the need for improved culturally responsive programing within Indiana private and public colleges and universities. The Consortium influences public policy issues through advocacy, research, and innovative initiatives.

Agenda

8:00 - 8:30

Registration & Networking

8:30 - 8:40

Light Breakfast 10:45 Closing Remarks

Welcome

Marlene Dotson, Indiana Latino Institute, President & CEO

Stephen Moret, Strada Education Network, President & CEO

Chris Lowery, Indiana Commissioner for Higher Education

ICHE Latino College Completion Data

José Medina, ICHE, School & Community Outreach Manager

ILI - Insight Into Our Work

Rachel Santos, Director of Education Policy

Leadership Think Tank Discussion

Latino Student Retention & Completion

Dr. Henry Fernandez, Private Consultant, Moderator

INDIANA LATINO INSTITUTE

MISSION

The Indiana Latino Institute's mission is to improve health and advance education through statewide advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs

ILI TEAM

Madeleine Correll, Health Youth Specialist

Fanny Cruz, Education Program Specialist

Marlene Dotson, President & CEO

Stephanie Morales, Bookkeeping Assistant

Jocelyn Ortiz, Education Program Specialist

Emily Price, Manager of Leadership & Marketing

Maria Quiroz-Southwood, Director of Education Program

Rachel Santos, Director of Education Policy

Andrew Will, College & Workforce Development Coordinator

Annice Willard, Manager of College & Career Programs

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Seth Morales, President & CEO, Morales Group, Board Chair

Art Vasquez, President, IU Health West Central Region, Board Vice Chair

Matzine Sanchez-Gutierrez, Director of Account Management, Circle Logistics, Board Secretary

Mike Merkel, Owner, La Rosa & Co., Board Treasurer

Dr. Virginia Caine, Director, Marion County Public Health Department

Carole Casto, Vice President of Marketing & Corporate Communications, Cummins Inc.

Sam Centellas, Executive Director, CDFI Friendly South Bend

Rebecca Espinoza Kubacki, Former State Legislator

Ricardo Garcia De Alba, Global Portfolio Leader, Enlist & Core Herbicides, Corteva Agriscience

Rosemily Geyer, President & CEO, Geyer Fire Protection

Oscar Gutierrez, President, Bondry Consulting

Jadira Hoptry, Director, Community Lending and Development, First Merchants Corporation

Ryan Marques, Attorney, Lewis & Kappes

James McBryant, Hendricks County

Rafael Sanchez, President, Private Banking, Old National Bank

Alfonso Vidal, President & CEO, Vidal Plastics

Marlene Dotson, President & CEO, Indiana Latino Institute

Indiana Latino Institute Welcome

Welcome to the 2022 Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium. This document provides insight into the work of the Indiana Latino Institute and our efforts to change systems across the state to increase access to higher education and college success for Indiana’s Latino Community Increasing access to higher education is more than providing financial support to students; it takes transforming systems to be more culturally responsive

Institutions should develop intentional plans and dedicate resources to serving their unique Latino student populations. Since 2017 the Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium has provided institutions with space to collaborate and generate innovative plans to meet the need of their students

The 2020 Census reports significant growth of the Indiana Latino community, which now consists of over 554,100. Over 50% of Latino Hoosiers are 24 years old or younger, and our elected leaders must recognize and address these critical issues impacting our growing and talented community. The Indiana Latino Institute wants to thank the institutions that continue to show up to the consortium and ask critical questions on how to advance their campuses

As a trusted voice for the Indiana Latino community, we must continue to move forward in all our organizational endeavors. We hope that you will join us in our efforts to amplify the voices of our Latino Hoosiers

Marlene Dotson President & CEO Indiana Latino Institute

Indiana Latino Institute

Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium

The Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium serves as an opportunity for higher education leaders to collaborate on strategies involving Latino student access, success, and transition into the workforce. Indiana’s higher education institutions must prioritize minority completion if Indiana hopes to meet its 2025 goal of 60% postsecondary attainment.

The Indiana Latino Higher Education Consortium was established in 2017 and provides an opportunity for higher education chancellors, presidents, and leadership to collaborate on strategies for Latino student access, success, and transition into the workforce.

23 Indiana higher education institutions have committed over $17 million through the ILI Scholarship MOU.

42 Indiana higher education institutions have signed the Consortium MOU - to build, enhance and cultivate their culturally responsive approaches to improve Latino student access, facilitate degree completion, and prepare students for the workforce

The following are signatories to the Consortium & Scholarship MOUs:

Anderson University

Butler University

Franklin College

Goshen College

Grace College

Holy Cross College

Indiana State University

Indiana University Bloomington

IUPUI

Indiana University Northwest

Indiana University South Bend

Indiana University Southeast

Ivy Tech Indianapolis

Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart

Ivy Tech Evansville

Marian University

17 Oakland City University

18. Purdue University – West Lafayette

19. Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University

20. University of Evansville

21 University of Indianapolis

22. Valparaiso University

23. Wabash College

The following are signatories only to the Consortium MOU:

Indiana University (3 additional campuses)

Ivy Tech Colleges (15 additional campuses)

Purdue University - Ft Wayne

Indiana Latino Institute

MOU Map

Campuses that have signed Scholarship MOU & Consortium MOU

Campuses that have signed only the Consortium MOU

Indiana Latino Institute

State of Education

8% of the total Indiana populattion are Latino/Hispanic, while:

In the past decade, Latino students have made gains in the “pre-K to 16” educational pipeline; however, preliminary reports point to the coronavirus pandemic reversing many of those advances. Investments in education at all levels will help restore gains, increase Latino Hoosiers' educational attainment and close equity gaps While Latinos/Hispanics make up about 8% of the total population of Indiana, they make up over 13% of those enrolled in K-12 public schools.

13% of students enrolled in Indiana K-12 schools identify as Latino/Hispanic.

Additionally, K-12 schools are now enrolling nearly 68,000 English-language learners requiring additional academic support. Investments should be made to attract qualified teachers, diversify the state’s pool of teachers, and expand support services for Latino students as they navigate advanced coursework, college applications, and financial aid. This will set more Latino students on the path to postsecondary degree attainment and lead to good quality jobs

68,000 English Language Learners enrolled in Indiana K-12 schools

13.2% Latino students make up of enrolled 21st Century Scholar participants

Indiana Latino Institute

State of Education

DEGREE COMPLETION

On-Time Extended Time

Latino Student Completion

White Student Completion

ICHE, 2021

g student financial aid and rewarding colleges for graduating more Latino students will increase educational attainment levels among Latino Hoosiers Currently, on-time completion for Hispanic/Latino bachelor’s seekers is 37% compared to 52% overall average (CHE College Equity Report). There needs to be accountability for degree completion to best serve the Latino community. Lastly, it is time for the Indiana General Assembly to make college more affordable for all immigrant students graduating from Indiana high schools. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, 51% of the Indiana Latino population is 24 years old and under. Latino students deserve access to affordable higher education, especially those who have matriculated through our K-12 system

Indiana Latino Institute

2022-23 Foundational Positions on Education Policy

In keeping with its mission to improve health and advance education for Latino Hoosiers through statewide advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs, the Indiana Latino Institute promotes policy proposals in education, workforce development, health, immigration, public safety, and other areas impacting the Latino community A board committee and an advisory council composed of Latino Hoosiers from throughout the state assist in identifying and prioritizing critical policy issues ILI contributes to and amplifies the Indiana Latino voice in the policy discourse at the federal, state, and local levels

In education, ILI has adopted the following foundational proposals as it advocates on behalf of Latino Hoosiers on present and future policy proposals

ILI WILL LEAD ON THE FOLLOWING THREE ISSUES

Increase “Complexity Index” and English Language Learner (ELL) Funding Levels: Throughout Indiana, school districts throughout the state are enrolling more indigent and immigrant Latino students requiring additional academic support from cash-strapped schools and underprepared staff. Increasing funding will improve academic outcomes by implementing proven-effective and culturally appropriate strategies for Latino learners.

Offer In-State Tuition for All Undocumented Postsecondary Students: Indiana is 1 of 3 states with enacted legislation specifically prohibiting offering in-state tuition rates and state financial aid to undocumented students, not only making college unaffordable for hundreds of students but also dampening the collective college-graduation aspirations that the Latino community has for its children States have the discretion to extend in-state tuition rates to undocumented students attending public colleges. It is time for the General Assembly to make college more affordable for all immigrant students graduating from Indiana high schools.

Increase 21st Century Scholars Participation: Financial constraints preclude more Latino students from entering and completing postsecondary education programs The generous 21st Century Scholars program supports indigent students through their four years in college However, the parents or guardians of qualified future-college students must register for the scholarship while the students are in 7th or 8th grade. As the program’s Latino-student enrollment rate is disproportionally low, ILI strongly recommends that state officials publish data on Latino enrollment, set high enrollment goals, and hold accountable schools for ensuring all eligible low-income students register. ILI proposes that eligible seventh and eighth grade students participating in the free and reduced lunch program be automatically enrolled in the 21st Century Scholars program. Additionally, the state and school districts should assist Latino high school students in maintaining their 21st Century Scholars program eligibility through high school.

Indiana Latino Institute

2022-23 Foundational Positions on Education Policy

ILI WILL ADVOCATE AND SUPPORT THE FOLLOWING

ILI will advocate and support polices that positively impact access to higher education and a more equitable Indiana k-12 education system Below are areas in which ILI will advocate and support ILI will not limit itself to the list below if other policy areas arise regarding supporting Indiana students of color

Diversify the Teaching Profession and Increase Teacher Pay: With Latino students comprising 13% of Indiana’s K-12 students, Latino teachers make up less than 2% of the teaching force. Research shows that students of color do better when taught by educators from similar backgrounds, but in 2019 more than 40% of Latino students in Indiana attended a school with no Latino teachers. We echo the Education Trust and TeachPlus in calling for Indiana to more effectively and intentionally recruit and retain teachers of color by improving compensation packages and implementing other proven talent recruitment strategies

Increase Completion of Advanced Coursework: Completion of advanced coursework during high school increases the chances a student will enroll in college and be successful once enrolled. Advanced coursework that carries dual credit also saves students money by allowing them to complete college credits without being charged college tuition rates. Indiana has made great strides over the last decade to close equity gaps in advanced coursework, but in 2018 only 50% of Latino and Hispanic high school students earned dual credit, compared to the statewide average of 64%. ILI encourages schools to institute policies that enroll more Latino and Hispanic students in advanced coursework, and call on the State to provide necessary funding to attract qualified teachers and expand the capacity of advanced courses

FAFSA Completion: Every qualifying high school graduate can see how much they would be eligible to receive in federal financial aid by filing the FAFSA However, without the necessary information and support, many Indiana students do not file the FAFSA During the 2021/2022 cycle, only about one third of Indianapolis Public School students filed the FAFSA according to the US Department of Education To ensure that Latino students and families fully understand their options for financing higher education, ILI urges Indiana to implement policies proven to increase FAFSA completion rates and dedicate more resources to provide guidance in English and Spanish

Incentives Plan for Postsecondary Institutions: Quality certificates and degrees improve employment and other opportunities for the Latino community. As Indiana colleges are expected to enroll more Latino students, ILI calls on the Indiana Commission for Higher Education and the General Assembly to develop financial incentives for institutions that implement effective programming with higher completion rates for Latino students.

Indiana Latino Institute Student Spotlight

Emmanuel Martinez Marian University Indianapolis

Nursing

"This scholarship means a lot to me, because as an undocumented student I don't have access to much help. This work is important because many times as Latino students we don't have much help, and thanks to ILI I have this great opportunity. I want to thank all staff members of ILI, and specially to Jocelyn Ortiz, and the leader of the Latino community here at Marian, Manuela Salazar and Daniela Alaniz."