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The program has earned a visit to Capitol Hill to be part of a national showcase of programs that are contributing to the success of Latino students.

By University Communications
January 4, 2008

The University of Arizona’s College Academy for Parents has been recognized in a national campaign to identify and honor programs and departments boosting Latino college enrollment, performance and graduation.

Winning programs were announced recently by Excelencia in Education, a Washington, D.C.-based nonprofit that works to accelerate higher education success for Latino students.

Founded in 2004, Excelencia asks higher education stakeholders to nominate programs throughout the country that are making a significant impact on the education of Latino students.

Excelencia awarded top prizes to three programs – one at the associate level, one at the baccalaureate level and one at the graduate level. Eleven programs were given semifinalists awards and seven programs received honorable mention awards, including the UA. In total, more than 90 programs at the associate, baccalaureate and graduate level from across the nation were nominated.

"Improving outcomes for Latino students in higher education is a national priority," said Sarita Brown, president and founder of Excelencia in Education. "These programs are the pride of their institutions, and offer models that could be used to encourage similar efforts nationwide. The programs and the results they produce should be front and center in the national conversation about how to increase success for Latino students – a critical step toward bolstering the nation’s work force and competitiveness."

The UA’s College Academy for Parents, also known as CAP, is a free 12-week program that helps disadvantaged families learn about the admissions processes and educational requirements.

The CAP program, part of the UA’s Office of Early Academic Outreach, partners with the Sunnyside School District who provides significant financial and logistical support. The program is offered in English and Spanish with evening meeting times to make it easier for working parents to attend. The program also provides free child care.

Using the expertise and enthusiasm of faculty members and the CAP team, the program addresses with parents the importance of core academic areas – math, science, English, foreign language, social sciences and fine arts. In addition, parents learn about various majors and career opportunities within the various fields of study.

The program also features College Camp, in which current UA students teach future students about the importance of higher education and familiarize the younger students with the campus. Participating families visit campus three times during the program, twice for academic showcases and a final time when the parents graduate from the program.

The Excelencia award brings with it national kudos as well as an opportunity for CAP to present the program on Capitol Hill during the Examples of Excelencia Showcase in March. The showcase is aimed at higher education decision and policymakers.