2008 Woodie Awards
Multicultural uplifting minority students for success
Joseph Spence, Sr.
Issue date: 5/9/08 Section: Features
Services for American Indian students are focused on helping them through recruitment, retention, and graduation at all
four campuses. The assistance includes: admission, program selection, career exploration, academic advising, financial aid assistance, tribal financial aid, class scheduling and student advocacy.
Asian-American students receive help in choosing a program and enrolling at the college. A wide variety of supportive services are offered to help fulfill their educational goals. Services are delivered with cultural sensitivity in a comfortable setting. A trilingual student services specialist who speaks Hmong, Lao, and English assists students as well.
"We are always doing our best for the students from Asia," said
Ay Moua, student advisor. "Academic and cultural barriers are the two main obstacles for the students. There is a feeling of cultural disconnection which affects them, and as a result the liaison with this office is critical." The students love the services and the relationship with their advisors.
"The service is great," said Paying Chia, Hmong student association president, majoring in fashion designing. "We receive assistance with our studies and other cultural events."
Hispanic students are rendered services in a variety of ways, from program selection and registration, to focusing on reaching their educational goals. They are acquainted with the college, academic guidance and advising, referral and interpretation, placement with English as a second language program and crisis intervention with school-related programs.
The office provides two counselors to service the African-American students which is the largest population using the office. "We receive most of our referrals from other students instead of counselors and teachers," states Jason Matthews, counselor. "We are doing more with less and need more help and a larger budget. Also, we are really having great success in the area of retention." Assistance is also rendered with cultural events such as Black History Month.
four campuses. The assistance includes: admission, program selection, career exploration, academic advising, financial aid assistance, tribal financial aid, class scheduling and student advocacy.
Asian-American students receive help in choosing a program and enrolling at the college. A wide variety of supportive services are offered to help fulfill their educational goals. Services are delivered with cultural sensitivity in a comfortable setting. A trilingual student services specialist who speaks Hmong, Lao, and English assists students as well.
"We are always doing our best for the students from Asia," said
Ay Moua, student advisor. "Academic and cultural barriers are the two main obstacles for the students. There is a feeling of cultural disconnection which affects them, and as a result the liaison with this office is critical." The students love the services and the relationship with their advisors.
"The service is great," said Paying Chia, Hmong student association president, majoring in fashion designing. "We receive assistance with our studies and other cultural events."
Hispanic students are rendered services in a variety of ways, from program selection and registration, to focusing on reaching their educational goals. They are acquainted with the college, academic guidance and advising, referral and interpretation, placement with English as a second language program and crisis intervention with school-related programs.
The office provides two counselors to service the African-American students which is the largest population using the office. "We receive most of our referrals from other students instead of counselors and teachers," states Jason Matthews, counselor. "We are doing more with less and need more help and a larger budget. Also, we are really having great success in the area of retention." Assistance is also rendered with cultural events such as Black History Month.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 3
Sam Blake
posted 5/15/08 @ 10:01 AM CST
This is an excellent article. We really need the Multicultural Educational Office at MATC. The opportunity it offers is really great. Thank you Mr. Spence for writing this. (Continued…)
Mary Anne Vitek
posted 5/15/08 @ 3:44 PM CST
Joseph, you were a student in a Business English class that I taught. Your work was always submitted on time and in a professional format.
This is an excellent article!
Many times the students who need help are not aware of the services such as those offered in the Multicultural Educatinal Office at MATC. (Continued…)
Francisco
posted 5/16/08 @ 2:05 PM CST
This is just a factual article. More students need to read this and visit the Multicultural Education Office. This is really an eye opener!
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