Leaders at Virginia Union University announced Friday that the historically black college will work to increase enrollment and support of Hispanic students.
VUU is partnering with the Virginia Hispanic Foundation and the Hispanic Chamber of Congress to provide scholarships and workforce development opportunities to Hispanic students. The partnership will last for at least 5 years.
Standing in front of the Civil Rights Memorial in Capitol Square, VUU President Hakim Lucas said the university has an expertise in helping minorities to get ahead.
“We’ll be working to reverse all of the disparities, from high school dropout rates to the ability for Hispanic Americans to gain certificates to get into the workforce,” Lucas said.
The university also created its first School of Latin American and Carribean studies earlier this year and is currently recruiting new faculty.
Hispanics are the fastest-growing demographic in Virginia, but have some of the lowest college attainment rates. Only 30 percent of Latino adults have earned an associate degree or higher, according to Excelencia in Education.
Leaders from VUU and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce met with Governor Ralph Northam Friday morning in hopes of securing funding and support for the new partnership.
