STRENGHTENING LATINO FUTURES:

AN AVANCE TO COLLEGE PANEL DISCUSSION

On October 10th , AVANCE-Austin hosted an event to spotlight the recent successes of the partnership with Austin Community College (ACC) to provide the AVANCE to College (A2C) program. The event was held during Hispanic Heritage Month, titled Strengthening Latino Futures, and featured a question-and-answer type of panel discussion. Panelists included Maggie Jaime, AVANCE-Austin Interim Executive Director, Dr. Amber Kreischer, Austin Community College Adjunct (and A2C) Professor, and Saira Ramirez, AVANCE to College 2023-2024 graduate. The panel was moderated by Salwa Yordi, local Telemundo Entertainment Reporter and Latino Media Influencer.

Introductions to the program were given by Dr. Brandon Whatley, Associate Vice Chancellor of Workforce Education at ACC, Dr. Monique Umphrey, Provost/Executive Vice Chancellor of Academic and Student Affairs at ACC, and Dr. Teresa Granillo, AVANCE CEO. The introductions shared the importance of A2C and how both organizations are working together toward a common goal of uplifting Hispanic families through workforce development and wraparound support. Dr. Whatley highlighted the impact of last year’s pilot cohort by sharing that 75% of parents enrolled in ACC education courses or workforce programs before they even graduated.

During the panel, Maggie and Dr. Kreischer shared their experience piloting the A2C program and highlighted the importance of removing the language, financial, and childcare barriers Latino immigrant families often face when trying to access post-secondary opportunities. End of year reporting from lasty ear’s pilot program included 79% of graduating parents who said they felt like they belonged on a college campus and knew where to go to find finances to apply to college.

The event featured Saira’s personal testimony and what motivated her to enroll in A2C, finish the 9-month program, and the impact it had on her life.