Dominican University is the recipient of a new $3 million federal grant aimed at amplifying the university’s support of its Latine students and accelerating it toward excellence as a Hispanic-Serving Institution.
The Title V grant, entitled “Avanzamos: Advancing Dominican University from Hispanic-Enrolling to Hispanic-Serving,” will close equity gaps by creating additional career readiness opportunities for the 63% of Dominican University undergraduates who identify as Hispanic.
“We will be focusing our efforts on improving Hispanic undergraduate student retention, persistence, credit hour accumulation, four-year graduation rates and career outcomes,” explained Lisa Petrov, Title V project director at Dominican University and a professor of Spanish. “Our experience and institutional data tell us how important career mobility is to our students and their families. By embedding career development courses across the curriculum — from their freshman through senior year – students will be more prepared for those career-ladder jobs they desire.”
Over the five years of the project, career development courses will be required for all undergraduates, work-based learning opportunities will be expanded, and increasing internship opportunities for students will be a goal.
Additionally, the project will centralize and strengthen efforts for holistic student advising and support services with a goal of increasing student outcomes and closing equity gaps. An enhanced First Year Experience and advising structure will equip students with more tools to navigate their academic planning and career aspirations while providing the foundation for holistic supports that meet their personal, financial and wellness needs.
The Office of Hispanic-Serving Initiatives will provide direction, research and leadership to “help coordinate HSI innovation while enhancing and expanding the university’s culturally inclusive and welcoming climate for all,” Petrov said. To help students thrive, the office will focus on creating research-based practices, policies, curriculum and institutional culture; offering bilingual and bicultural programming for students, families and the community; and creating community engagement to elevate the university’s HSI profile.
“Coordinating and celebrating our Hispanic-serving initiatives in a visible and centralized way will foster a sense of belonging for our students,” Petrov said. “When students feel they belong, they persist and achieve their goals.”
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