By Augusto Failde, Chair, Latino Advisory Committee, Walden University

Walden University, with a mission of promoting positive social change, is known for providing broad access to higher education for adult professionals from all walks of life. In fact, in May The Hispanic Outlook in Higher Education magazine ranked the university in the top 100 of more than 4,000 institutions, based on the number of advanced degrees granted to Hispanics. The university is further opening the doors of higher education to students of limited means by expanding its need-based scholarships to all doctoral, master's and bachelor’s programs, universitywide.

Despite the progress made, Walden continues to seek out new ways to offer quality higher education opportunities for Latinos. Hispanic Heritage Month (Sept. 15 through Oct. 15) offers the perfect opportunity to reflect on the educational situation of the traditionally underserved Hispanic community and on the ways this situation can be improved.

With this in mind, Walden’s Latino Advisory Committee conducted an extensive research study in April to learn about Latino students in the United States, their current educational standings and the barriers to their success. The study found that while progress has been made, considerable challenges and barriers must still be overcome to level the higher education playing field.

Higher Education Demographics
In general, representation of Hispanics in higher education is on the rise. In 2000, Hispanic students comprised almost 10 percent of the total student enrollment in higher education institutions compared to 4 percent in 1976. Between 1996 and 2000, the number of Hispanics enrolled in undergraduate programs increased 25 percent, compared to only 2 percent for whites, 15 percent for African-Americans and 18 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders.

However, considerable room for improvement exists for Latino students in undergraduate education. Despite increases in enrollment, only 20 percent of college-age Latinos (18-23 years) are enrolled in college. Close to 60 percent of Hispanic undergraduates receive some form of aid to pay for college, yet Hispanics are less likely to take out loans to pay for college. Furthermore, Latinos receive the lowest amount of federal aid awards of any racial/ethnic group.

In terms of graduate education, there is even more room for growth for Latinos. In 2001, Latino students earned 5 percent of master’s degrees, compared to 68 percent for white students, 8 percent for African-Americans and 5 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders. For doctoral degrees awarded to Latino students, the numbers are growing, but remain small at 3 percent in 2001, compared to 61 percent for whites, 5 percent for African-Americans and 6 percent for Asian/Pacific Islanders.

Barriers to Education
Advances continue for Hispanics in higher education, but many barriers still exist. The principal challenges faced by Hispanics include the cost of tuition, a need to work and earn money (time constraints), a concern over an inadequate high school education, the perceived lack of relevancy of a higher degree, the desire to stay close to family and friends, and the problems caused by discrimination.

The concerns over cost and time form the backbone of barriers to higher education faced by Latinos. In general, Latinos have a lower average income (roughly $10,000 a year less) and are highly skeptical of student loans. Time is another important barrier because Latino students are more likely to have to balance work, family and study time.

The future for Latinos in higher education is growing brighter as Latino students continue to break down barriers to their educational success. Walden University is committed to assisting in this endeavor by providing the education needed today by Latino students to be tomorrow’s leaders.

September Ponder front page