Getting Hispanic students to pursue a college education is the main goal of the United States Hispanic Leadership Institute (UHSLI), an organization that brought its student summit to Grand Rapids recently. Held at Union High School, the event featured Hispanic speakers with inspiring stories about how to beat obstacles, like paying for school and overcoming personal challenges to success. Students also learned about scholarships and resources that can help get them through college.
McDonald’s has partnered with UHSLI for five years to present the event. Tony Castillo, the operator of several local McDonald’s restaurants, plus Carlos Ojeda Jr. and Ernesto Mejía, motivational speakers from CoolSpeak, were the key speakers.
Encouraging Trends for Latinos
- On average, white and Asian students earn a college-level credential about 20 percent more than Hispanic and black students. (National Student Clearinghouse Research Center)
- In 2014, 35 percent of Hispanics ages 18 to 24 were enrolled in a two- or four-year college, up from 22 percent in 1993. (Pew Research Center)
- A 42 percent increase in Hispanic-American college students is projected by 2021, with a 25 percent increase projected for African-American students and only a 4 percent increase for white students. (National Center for Education Statistics)
- A 2016 survey indicates that Hispanics are more optimistic about the value of a college education than whites. (College Board/National Journal Next America Poll)
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United States Hispanic Leadership Institute
McDonald’s HACER National Scholarship
