Caring about Latino Student Achievement (CALSA) is a faculty-student developed program aimed at retaining Latino and other minority students at IUP and preparing them for graduate or professional studies. The mission of CALSA is to assist students in order to maintain a strong academic profile and to promote graduate studies.
To date, very few Latino students who complete their B.A. degree continue their education. According to ERIC Clearinghouse on Urban Education, “Latinos have increased their enrollment in graduate education, although they still comprise a smaller proportion of students than other groups: 4 percent, as compared with 6 percent for African Americans and 73 percent for whites.”
CALSA is premised on an earlier MARTI-developed and -sponsored program, College Prep 101 for Latinos. It does not abandon the original College Prep 101 for Latinos’ mission—to help retain Latino students—but expands its mission significantly by emphasizing academic excellence and post-graduate studies.
There are a number of questions that CALSA will help students answer in regards to graduate school preparation. Some of these questions are:
- Are graduate studies for me?
- Do I have the grades?
- Must I take the Graduate Entrance Examination or other entrance examinations?
- How do I choose a graduate program?
- How do I put together a strong application for graduate school?
- Who should I ask to write my letters of recommendations?
Alyssa Ortega, Sharlyne Rios, Estefania Alba, Pamela Guzman, and Marc Colón at CALSA work on providing a variety of important services to students, such as an online listing of scholarships, internships, and other opportunities, plus tips on how to prepare for graduate school and where to seek additional help. CALSA will also provide technical assistance in developing and submitting graduate school applications.
Regardless of your class level at IUP, if you interested in pursuing your studies beyond the B.A. or B.S., please visit us.
News stories about Latino education
A table of the 2013 speakers and their biographies.
A biography of Mr. Irvin Rivera, the Latino Student Recruiter at IUP
Campus Programs
A list of some of the student programs and academic programs offered at IUP
A list of some of the services that IUP offers
Information about the Society for the Advancement of Chicanos and Native Americans in Science
Information about the academically and financially supportive McNair Scholars Program at IUP
Information about the Latin American Studies minor at IUP
Information about a variety of Latino organizations on the IUP campus
Information on Pennsylvania State System of Higher Education programs
Financial Aid, Internships, and Other Resources
Read about available graduate fellowships, undergraduate scholarships, internships, study abroad opportunities, new scholarship opportunities for minorities and new Americans, and a new internship opportunity.
Information on events, conferences, and calls for proposals related to CALSA
Information on the legislative proposal “The DREAM Act”
Information on the CALSA hours of operation
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