In recognition of Hispanic Heritage Month, Congressman James McGovern and President Ashley met with a group of Latino Education Institute [1] participants and Worcester State College students to discuss “Finding Our Way: A Latino Student Perspective on Access to and Success in Higher Education,” October 29. The discussion was facilitated by Mary Jo Marion of the Latino Education Institute.
Marion opened the meeting with the statistic that 21 percent of Latino students in Worcester will not complete high school.
Students outlined the challenges they face, including personal finances, childcare, language barrier, the financial aid process, and work and family responsibilities.
Congressman McGovern told the group that “education is the great equalizer. The older I get, the more that I appreciate that education is everything,” he said.
He also stressed the urgent need to find solutions to these challenges. “Especially now, we have to make sure that education is available and that everyone has the opportunity to get an education,” he said.
President Ashley agreed. “We want to continue every day looking at ways we can help one another and change what we need to change,” she said.