WORCESTER — The Latino Education Institute (LEI) of Worcester State University will celebrate its 25th anniversary on Monday, Sept. 30 with a special event highlighting its milestones in the community and its plans for the future as the city’s Latine population continues to grow. The event is open to the entire campus community.
About the 25th Anniversary Celebration
Moderator for the LEI anniversary event will be award-winning journalist Julio Ricardo Varela.
- Date: Monday, September 30, from 5 to 7:30 p.m.
- Location: Worcester State University’s Fuller Theater, second floor of the Shaughnessy Administration Building.
- Speakers: The moderator for the event will be award-winning journalist Julio Ricardo Varela. Guest speakers include President Barry Maloney, Congressman Jim McGovern, Worcester Mayor Joseph M. Petty, Sen. Robyn Kennedy, Rep. John Mahoney, Worcester City Manager Eric Batista, and Worcester Public School Superintendent Dr. Rachel Monárrez.
- Entertainment: Live musical performance by Emmy-nominated Puerto Rican cuatrista, Fabiola Méndez. Cultural activities.
- Registration: The event is open to the campus community and registration is required.
Since its founding in 1999, LEI has served tens of thousands of Latine students and their families in greater Worcester with dozens of programs designed to support English literacy, STEM, socio-emotional learning and growth, leadership, civic engagement, college readiness and access, and healthy living. On average, LEI serves 750 K-12 students per year, including through early college. More than 80% of high school students who participate in LEI programs go on to attend college.
Worcester’s Latine population represents 25% of the city’s residents and nearly 50% of students in Worcester Public Schools. While the dropout rate among Worcester’s Latine high school students is at a low 4.4%, 65% of the students who dropped out were Latine, compared to 20% of their white peers, according to the Department of Elementary and Secondary Education.
Emmy-nominated Puerto Rican cuatrista, Fabiola Mendez will perform at the LEI 25th anniversary celebration. She blends folk, jazz, and Afro-Caribbean influences to create a unique sound that tells stories of identity, culture, and roots.
“LEI’s work with students and families is more urgent than ever,” said LEI’s Executive Director Dr. Maria Juncos-Gautier. “Although the Latine dropout rate has significantly decreased and college enrollment is at a record high, Latine students still have one of the lowest college enrollment rates, following English learners and students with disabilities. There is still work to be done.”
The LEI initiative began in 1999 with Worcester citizens, lawmakers, educators, students, and families under the Worcester Working Coalition of Latino Students. Coalition members were concerned that there was little in place to address declining success rates of Latine students as the population increased. Working with Worcester Public Schools, the coalition approached Worcester State (then Worcester State College) in 2000 to establish LEI at the city’s only public four-year university. These partners embarked on a mission to increase literacy rates, decrease dropout rates, and encourage the pursuit of higher education, all while supporting the families and community that surround Latine students.
With a generous grant from the W. K. Kellogg Foundation, LEI established enriching, bilingual and culturally sensitive afterschool and summer programs to engage families, students, and educators who supported the goal of increasing the Latine student success rates in Worcester Public Schools and beyond, at the college level.
Worcester Public Schools Superintendent Dr. Rachel H. Monárrez applauds the success of LEI’s programs: “The Worcester Public Schools’ long standing partnership with the Latino Education Institute has been pivotal in ensuring that Latine scholars and families not only succeed academically but also feel empowered and supported in their educational journey. Thank you to LEI for bridging gaps, providing resources and an environment where all scholars thrive.”
LEI’s success is supported by Worcester’s congressional leadership, including U.S. Rep. James McGovern (D-Worcester): “It has been truly incredible to watch the Latino Education Institute excel over the last 25 years. I have been a strong supporter of the LEI from day one, and I am so proud of their remarkable track record of accomplishment. Their dedication to our community has transformed thousands of lives and empowered future generations to change the world. As we continue our work together to build on this amazing legacy, I am confident that LEI’s impact will only grow stronger, shaping a brighter future for all.”
Worcester State President Barry Maloney said LEI’s work with Worcester Public Schools, local families, and K-12 students to advance college readiness, career development, and educational opportunity has immeasurably benefited the community.
“With a 25-year track record of impressive educational outcomes, LEI is poised for the next phase of growth within Worcester County, continuing to serve as a resource to the Latine community,” said Maloney. “The talented and hardworking students participating in LEI programs are our future, and Worcester State is committed to ensuring they receive an excellent college education. The anniversary of the LEI comes at a moment when we are celebrating the university’s 150-year impact in the community. LEI’s important work is a testament to the theme of our anniversary, “Our Place. Our Purpose.”
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