HCC’s Southeast College selected for national project to advance Latino college participation

Jun 26, 2023

Houston Community College’s Southeast College is taking part in a national project to help Latino students advance in higher education in partnership with Excelencia in Education, a national organization committed to supporting the advancement of underrepresented students in higher education.

HCC is one of just eight colleges selected for the multi-year effort called ‘Community Colleges Transforming by Engaging Latino Students.’ The project is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation which includes institutional mentoring, financial support and technical assistance.

Selection was based on the HCC’s commitment to student outcomes and use of data to concretely show the impact of institutional strategies that increase Latino student success. The HCC system ranks fourth in the number of degrees it awards to Hispanic students within Texas and is a designated Hispanic serving institution.

“When we create a sense of belonging, innovation, rigor, asset based mindset and love for students, all students will succeed,” said Dr. Frances Villagran-Glover, president of Southeast College at HCC. “We are grateful to Excelencia for allowing us to participate in this national project.”

The Gates Foundation is spending $100 million over the next five years to expand and accelerate transformation at the nation’s colleges and universities, including efforts to better serve underrepresented students and those from low-income backgrounds.