The Indiana Latino Institute and Indiana colleges & universities will offer $11 million in scholarships for Indiana Latino students.

Indianapolis, IN – The Indiana Latino Institute (ILI) is proud to announce recently enhanced partnerships with Indiana higher education institutions to increase postsecondary education attainment in the Latino community through the Indiana Latino Institute Higher Education Consortium. In addition, many members of this collective have agreed to commit to substantial pledges that offer $11 million in scholarships for academically gifted, low-income Latino youth over the next five years. The Indiana Latino Institute and our higher education partners will present these unprecedented and unparalleled scholarships to ILI Indiana Education Program participants in order to recruit and enroll more Latino students, especially students who often face both cultural and financial barriers to educational attainment.

Since 2017, ILI has been convening representatives from Indiana colleges and universities to discuss the state of Latino education in Indiana through the creation of the Indiana Latino Institute Higher Education Consortium. Presidents, Chancellors and other higher education administrators discussed best practices for helping Latino students learn about post-secondary educational opportunities, assisting them with matriculating and developing academically and professionally, and ultimately preparing these students to graduate and move on to high quality jobs. After the March 2020 Consortium meeting, two Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs)—an agreement to join the Consortium and a commitment to offer scholarships—were presented to and executed by the institutions. 

The Consortium MOU outlines the commitment between the schools and the Indiana Latino Institute to collaborate on culturally responsive approaches that improve Latino student access and facilitate completion.

“Recognizing that more Latino students will succeed by adopting proven, effective strategies, the secondary educational institutions and ILI signed a collaborative agreement to exchange ideas and create action plans that will increase enrollment and degree attainment for our growing Latino population,” stated Indiana Latino Institute President and CEO Marlene Dotson. 

Pledging to collaborate over five years on activities improving recruitment, retention, and graduation outcomes for Latino students, the following institutions have signed the Consortium MOU:

• Anderson University
• Goshen College
• Grace College
• Holy Cross College
• Indiana State University
• Indiana University (all 7 campuses)
• Ivy Tech Community College (all 18 campuses)
• Marian University
• Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University
• Oakland City University 
• Purdue University 
• Purdue University – Ft. Wayne 
• University of Evansville
• University of Indianapolis

As many Latino students face financial obstacles, the Scholarship MOU commits the institution to offer full ride scholarship opportunities annually for Indiana Latino Institute Education Program participants. These generous scholarships will be used to highlight available financial aid options for Latino students.

“With Latino high-school graduates enrolling in college at significantly lower rates than their White peers,” affirmed Indiana Latino Institute President and CEO Marlene Dotson, “these substantial scholarships signal to Latino students that they are valued and sought after, and that financial aid is available to them.” 

The following institutions are signatories to the Scholarship MOU: 

• Anderson University
• Goshen College
• Grace College
• Holy Cross College
• Indiana State University
• Indiana University Bloomington
• Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis
• Indiana University South Bend 
• Indiana University Southeast
• Ivy Tech Central Indiana
• Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart
• Ivy Tech Evansville 
• Marian University 
• Saint Joseph’s College of Marian University
• Oakland City University 
• Purdue University 
• University of Evansville
• University of Indianapolis

“Indiana’s economy will benefit from a better prepared Hoosier Latino workforce,” said Indiana Latino Institute Board Chair Rafael A. Sanchez. “I applaud the colleges that have recognized the increasing number of Latino students and have made commitments to offer scholarships and support these talented students and future Hoosier workers.” 

College officials praised the effort to increase degree and certificate attainment among Hoosier Latinos.

–  Anderson University President John S. Pistole, “With the rich experiences that Latino students bring, our Anderson University community is committed to engaging in thoughtful academic and career preparation so that our students lead lives of purpose. Our partnership with the Indiana Latino Institute will further our goals to build a more diverse cadre of compassionate, confident, and skilled agents of change.”

–  Grace College President William J. Katip, “At Grace, we are committed to making our thoughtful scholarship and career preparation available to all students seeking a Christ-centered education. We are pleased to partner with Indiana Latino Institute in this mission, and we look forward to launching many Latino students into purpose-filled careers and lives.”

–  Goshen College President Rebecca J. Stoltzfus, Ph.D., “Goshen College is enriched by the diversity of ethnic heritages and life perspectives of our Latino students. We are excited to partner with the Indiana Latino Institute to welcome more Latino Hoosiers to GC.”

–  Holy Cross College President Father David Tyson, C.S.C., “As an institution committed to the common good of Indiana, and rooted in our identity as a Catholic institution, Holy Cross College is happy to collaborate with the Indiana Latino Institute to identify and serve the next generation of promising scholars.”

–  Indiana State University Provost and Vice President for Academic Affairs Mike Licari, Ph.D., “Indiana State University is excited to partner with the Indiana Latino Institute to provide a transformative education to the next generation of Latino Hoosiers. ISU aligns our academic programs with state workforce needs, and our students go on to be leaders in their communities.”

–  Indiana University Vice President for Diversity, Equity, and Multicultural Affairs; Dean, The University Graduate School; Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership James C. Wimbush, “I could not be more pleased with our newly enhanced partnership with the Indiana Latino Institute and its mission to help more Latino students across the state achieve their academic dreams,” said James C. Wimbush, Indiana University vice president for diversity, equity, and multicultural affairs; dean of The University Graduate School; and Johnson Chair for Diversity and Leadership. “This collaboration, along with our pre-college and outreach programs, financial resources, academic support, community cultural enrichment programs, and career initiatives creates new synergies between both organizations and the important work to remove barriers and provide opportunities for all.”

–  Indiana University Purdue University Indianapolis Chancellor Nasser Paydar, “Through this educational partnership with the Indiana Latino Institute, we will continue strengthening IUPUI’s capacity to inspire, encourage and support Latino students. Together, we aim toward the common goal of attracting, retaining and graduating Indiana’s future Latino workforce.”

– Indiana University South Bend Chancellor Susan Elrod, “IU South Bend is excited to partner with the Indiana Latino Institute to provide a transformative educational experience for Latino Hoosiers. Our collaboration with Indiana Latino Institute will add another pathway of innovation, achievement, and growth to enrich not only students’ lives, but the lives of their families and our communities, too.”

– Indiana University Southeast Dr. Ray Wallace, Chancellor of IU Southeast,“With the rich experiences that Latino students bring to our campus, our IU Southeast community is committed to engaging in thoughtful academic and career preparation in order that our students will lead lives of purpose. Our partnership with the Indiana Latino Institute will facilitate our goals to build a more diverse cadre of compassionate, confident, and skilled agents of change.”

–  On behalf of all Ivy Tech Community College Campuses – Vice President of Diversity, Equity & Belonging, Doneisha Posey, “As we work to ensure Hoosiers have the skills for a prosperous future, Ivy Tech Community College is proud to support the educational attainment of Latinos across Indiana through this critical partnership with the Indiana Latino Institution’s Higher Education Consortium.”

–  Ivy Tech South Bend/Elkhart Chancellor David Balkin, “In a region where innovation, entrepreneurship and manufacturing are booming, the partnership with the Indiana Latino Institute will equip our Latino students for these high-demand, high-wage career opportunities. We are excited for this great partnership.”

–  Ivy Tech Community College Evansville Chancellor Daniela Vidal, “I have been engaging with ILI for many years as a long-time advocate of our Latino community and have always been very impressed and inspired by the great work they do. It is now my honor to partner with them in creating new opportunities for Latinos to reach their potential and contribute to our great state of Indiana.”

–  Marian University President Daniel J. Elsener, “We feel blessed to be part of this partnership with the ILI and to continue supporting the growth of the Latino community welcoming the Latino students to our different programs. It is our mission as a Catholic institution to make sure they receive an appropriate and transformative education that can help them thrive in the future.”

– Purdue University – Ft. Wayne Chancellor Ron Elsenbaumer, “Being the only four-year, public university in northeast Indiana, Purdue University Fort Wayne is pleased to partner with the Indiana Latino Institute in welcoming more Latino students to further enhance the diversity on our campus.”

– Oakland City University President Ron D. Dempsey, “Oakland City University is committed to engaging in thoughtful academic and career preparation in a diverse and inclusive environment so that all students lead lives of purpose. Our community and educational enterprise is enriched by the experiences that Latino students bring to our classrooms, our resident halls, our student life programming, and our athletic teams. Indiana Latino Institute will facilitate our goals to build a more diverse university where students exude compassion and confidence and become skilled agents of change.”

– University of Evansville President Christopher M. Pietruszkiewicz, “The University of Evansville is excited to partner with the Indiana Latino Institute to enrich our campus community with the talents and perspectives of Latino students. As a Changemaker Campus, we aim to empower these students to bring about the positive changes needed in today’s complex world.” 

–  University of Indianapolis President Robert L. Manuel, “We are excited to partner with the Indiana Latino Institute to provide a transformative education to the next generation of Latinx students,” said Robert L. Manuel, University of Indianapolis president. “The partnership allows us to continue serving our growing Latinx population as we develop a pipeline to nurture the inclusive leaders of the future.” 

The Indiana Latino Institute, a 501(c)3 non-profit statewide organization committed to serving Latino communities in Indiana. Its mission is to improve health and advance education for the Indiana Latino community through advocacy, research, and culturally responsive programs.