Davenport University and LAUP have entered into an all-encompassing partnership to support education for Latinos at all stages of life (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
Located in Holland, LAUP was formed in 1964 with the mission to empower Latinos to participate in creating a better community for all through advocacy, celebration and education. Davenport’s newly created Casa Latina online degrees program complements that mission.
LAUP empowers Latinos to participate in creating a better community (Courtesy, pxhere.com)
A powerful catalyst for change
The partnership, which includes scholarships and other benefits, covers LAUP’s youth programs called ¡Adelante! and ¡Más Adelante!, and the LAUP workforce development program Educate, Elevate!.
“Everyone at Davenport University is excited about partnering with LAUP,” said Casa Latina Executive Director Carlos Sanchez.
This partnership fosters equitable access and opportunities for youth and adults (Courtesy, Davenport University)
“Casa Latina supports LAUP’s mission by offering dual language undergraduate and graduate degrees, as well as a bilingual student support system for high school graduates and adult learners alike. We look forward to working together for the benefit of the West Michigan community.”
Graduates of the LAUP programs who meet Davenport’s requirements will receive up to $9,200 toward tuition for Casa Latina undergraduate programs, and up to $7,000 toward tuition for general Davenport undergraduate programs. There is a special early admission category for graduates of the ¡Adelante! program at the completion of 8th grade.
“This partnership, driven by LAUP’s transformative efforts, is a powerful catalyst for change,” said Maria Morales, Director of Workforce Development & Strategic Impact. “It fosters equitable access and opportunities for youth and adults, empowers skilled immigrants to upskill and integrate into the workforce, and unlocks career pathways—harnessing the untapped potential within our community.”
Learn more!
Click here for a full description of the Davenport University/LAUP partnership: English, Spanish.
Leaders at Davenport University (DU) announced a groundbreaking initiative that leads to bilingual degrees with professional proficiency in English and Spanish.
Casa Latina at Davenport has a unique approach by offering courses with one week fully in Spanish and the next week fully in English. Graduates of this program at Davenport will enhance the pool of bilingual talent for businesses, while offering a solid path to careers in business, technology, healthcare, urban education and the sciences.
Casa Latina, the only program of its kind in the nation, represents a new era in higher education.
Twelve undergraduate and graduate degrees are tailored to students who will not only become experts in their fields, but will join the workforce ready to lead in a bilingual world. Degree programs include accounting, business administration, education, human resource management, health services administration and technology project management.
Worldwide flexibility
Students can apply now for courses beginning fall 2024.
The Casa Latina program is fully online, giving students the flexibility they need to begin and finish their degrees. The program will be available worldwide, and Davenport will consider work experience and education credits, reducing the time it takes to earn a degree.
Scholarships are available for full-time students: $9,200 for undergraduates and $5,000 for graduate students. Students attending part-time will be awarded a prorated amount.
(Courtesy, Davenport University)
Innovative and bold
DU saw the need for this bilingual program after studying the needs of employers across the country.
Carlos Sanchez, the executive director of Casa Latina, believes the uniqueness of this program will appeal to the Latino community by offering key bachelor and master degrees along with wrap-around support for students. DU’s Casa Latina program offers bilingual and bicultural student support in admissions, financial aid, counseling, tutoring and library services.
“Davenport is taking an innovative, bold approach with Casa Latina,” Sanchez said. “We are creating this bilingual program that will provide an opportunity for Latino students to overcome so many challenges. We are taking barriers down related to language, finances and geography.
“We have virtual bilingual tutoring, and we have staff dedicated to advising our Casa Latina students. We are creating a community at Davenport that will embrace and guide students as they pursue their degrees.”
Supporting the underserved
The energy for Casa Latina comes right from the top. President Richard J. Pappas and Executive Vice President of Academics and Provost Gilda Gely know Casa Latina will serve students and employers, while aligning with Davenport’s commitment to reach underserved populations in higher education.
Despite being the fastest growing population in the country, Latinos are the least represented in higher education. In the U.S., only 18% of adults over the age of 25 who identify as Hispanic or Latino have a bachelor’s degree or higher. That’s compared to 37% of white/non-Hispanics. Pappas said Davenport is focused on closing this gap.
(Courtesy, Davenport University)
“We have taken direction from people within the Latino community to understand the needs and challenges they have to continue their education,” Pappas said. “We are absolutely committed to creating an environment with all the tools necessary for bilingual students to graduate ready to work and lead in bilingual environments.”
Gely has been instrumental in the development of Casa Latina and believes it is the right program to give bilingual speakers the opportunity to become confident in their ability to succeed in college and in the workplace.
“At Davenport, we have taken the position that Latino students do not have to fit into our mold, but rather we will meet them where they are and support them as they realize their potential,” Gely said. “We have been working toward launching this bilingual program with their success at the forefront of its development. This is truly an exciting moment and opportunity.”
Philanthropic community support
The philanthropic community has contributed $2.7 million to Casa Latina at DU. Foundations and donors giving to Casa Latina include:
Community Foundation for Southeast Michigan
M.E. Davenport Foundation
Daniel & Pamella DeVos Foundation
Frey Foundation
Steelcase Foundation
Steve and Tana Wessell
Those interested in supporting Casa Latina can find out more here.
Integration and services
Casa Latina has an advisory board to ensure integration into the community with opportunities for networking and internships. Davenport offers career services support throughout a graduate’s lifetime.
