Date:
10/4/2010
Contact: Wendel Sloan at 575.562.2253
PORTALES—The U.S. Department of Education has awarded Eastern New Mexico University a $2.873 million grant over five years as a Hispanic-serving institution.
ENMU will use the grant to expand opportunities for Hispanic, low-income and other graduate students. ENMU’s eligibility for the grant was based on the institution’s percentage of Hispanic students (over 32 percent in fall 2010) and its large number of students who are categorized as low-income. Funding is under Title V from Hispanic-Serving Institutions from the U.S. Department of Education.
Over the five years, ENMU will substantially revise curricula and the delivery of five master’s degree programs to reach more place-bound and working students in rural areas. The programs targeted are:
- Master of Education with concentration in Teaching English to Speakers of Other Languages (TESOL)
- Master of Education with concentration in Social Studies
- Master of Education with concentration in Reading
- Master of Science in Communicative Disorders (Speech-Language Pathology)
- Master of Education in Educational Administration
Use of innovative technology for synchronous audio/video streaming and lecture capture will allow ENMU to deliver programs through live discussion and demonstration via distance learning.
To further support graduate students’ success, ENMU will develop online and on-campus services to support their persistence and degree completion of graduate students, especially Hispanic and low-income students, who have traditionally been underrepresented in graduate education. These services will be provided through an on-campus Graduate Student Commons (center) and a mirror online Commons. Students will be able to strengthen their skills in research and writing, as well as engage in career development activities. Assistance will be available for graduate students who are also English Language Learners—who have valued bilingual capabilities, but whose academic success may depend on English language proficiency. The services will also provide a base of peer support and encouragement for graduate students.
The grant will support special outreach activities designed to bring more Hispanic and low-income students into graduate education and to support their success. Over the course of the grant, over 20 percent of the funds will be awarded as need-based fellowships to assist low-income students. The project includes a rigorous evaluation component designed to ensure accountability and provide accurate data on attainment of objectives and cost effectiveness of activities.
Funding for the project begins Oct. 1, 2010. Project Director Linda Weems, who also serves as ENMU dean of the Graduate School, will coordinate activities. The project is an ambitious effort to extend access to graduate programs that are much needed in the state. The project will also foster increased participation in graduate study by Hispanic and low-income individuals.
For more information, call Patrice Caldwell at 575.562.2315.