CSU Pueblo Secures $3 Million Federal Grant to Support Hispanic and Low-Income Students

PUEBLO, COLO – Colorado State University Pueblo (CSU Pueblo) is proud to announce it has been awarded a $2,996,371 Title V federal grant over five years to fund its innovative "La Promesa" project. This initiative aims to significantly enhance support for Hispanic and low-income students, reinforcing CSU Pueblo's commitment as a Hispanic Serving Institution (HSI).

Title V grants are federal funds designed to assist HSIs in expanding educational opportunities for Hispanic students and improving their academic attainment. These grants enable institutions to enhance their academic offerings, program quality, and institutional stability, ultimately benefiting all students.

Dr. Derek Lopez, Associate Vice President for Academic Access and Equity at CSU Pueblo, explained the significance of the grant: "La Promesa, which means 'the promise' in Spanish, embodies our dedication to providing transformative educational opportunities for our diverse student body. This Title V grant will empower us to break down barriers to higher education and create a more inclusive, supportive environment for our students."

Dr. Lopez further elaborated on the grant's impact, "Beginning in October, this five-year grant will allow us to implement a multi-faceted approach to support Hispanic and low-income students. We'll be increasing our outreach to the diverse population in the southern Colorado region, enhancing our diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility elements, and providing enhanced advising and counseling and support services. Moreover, we'll offer robust professional development in culturally relevant pedagogy to strengthen our faculty's capacity to better serve our diverse student population. By investing in these comprehensive support systems, we're not just helping students earn degrees – we're fostering future leaders who will drive positive change in our community and beyond."

The La Promesa project will focus on five key areas:

1. Expanding outreach to increase access to higher education
2. Implementing proactive and intrusive academic advising
3. Enhancing peer mentoring support
4. Providing mental health services
5. Facilitating internship and career placement opportunities
6. Professional Development for faculty and staff

CSU Pueblo, located in southern Colorado's Pueblo County, serves a region with high poverty and unemployment rates. The university is situated among nine opportunity zones, underscoring the critical need for economic development in the area.

Through La Promesa, CSU Pueblo aims to achieve significant outcomes, including:

• Increased enrollment of Hispanic and low-income students
• Improved first-year retention rates
• Higher graduation rates
• Enhanced career placement
• Greater number of faculty and staff trained in culturally responsive practices

This federal funding will play a crucial role in CSU Pueblo's ongoing efforts to serve as a catalyst for positive change in Southern Colorado, providing educational access and fostering success for its diverse student population.

For more information about La Promesa or CSU Pueblo, please contact: Dr. Derek Lopez
Associate Vice President for Operations and Advancement
Phone: 719-549-2806
Email: Derek.lopez@csupueblo.edu