Lehigh Times

Lehigh Carbon Community College issued the following announcement on Oct. 7.

Lehigh Carbon Community College (LCCC) has joined the Presidents for Latino Student Success and the Excelencia in Action network as part of its initiative to better serve its growing Hispanic student population. LCCC is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education as a Hispanic-Serving Institution (HSI), with at least 25 percent of the student body identifying as Hispanic/Latino. The college has met that metric since the fall 2018. In the fall 2021 semester, the college’s enrollment includes 28 percent Hispanic students.

 

As part of its efforts to understand and serve a diverse student population, the college is partnering with Excelencia in Education, which will guide efforts to serve students and to be more culturally responsive. This partnership will allow the college to cascade efforts throughout the organization to assist all students and the community.

 

LCCC President Ann D. Bieber’s membership in the Presidents for Latino Student Success allows the college to work with a national network of diverse college and university presidents and chancellors to transform higher education and create learning environments where Latino students thrive.

 

“The college has always been a diverse institution, truly reflecting the richness of our community,” says Dr. Bieber. “This affiliation ensures that not only will we learn how to better serve our Latino students, but also translate that into serving all students and working with them to achieve academic success.”

 

The college works to ensure it meets students’ needs and provides the resources they need to be successful. These efforts include financial and academic support, as well as cultural experiences and building a sense of community and belonging.

 

The institutions in Excelencia’s network represent 4% of all U.S. colleges and universities yet enroll 24% of all Hispanic students. Established in 2005, Excelencia is the only national data-driven initiative to recognize programs at the associate, baccalaureate and graduate levels, as well as community-based organizations, with evidence of effectiveness in accelerating Latino student success.

Original source can be found here.