Media Relations
Press Release:
MEDIA CONTACT: Kristine M. McGrath
561-297-1168, kmcgrath@fau.edu
USF, FAU, FIU and UCF Receive $1.4 Million Kellogg Foundation Grant for ENLACE FLORIDA – A College Readiness Program for Under-Represented Students
BOCA RATON, FL (September 28, 2006) – The W. K. Kellogg Foundation has approved and funded a joint proposal by the University of South Florida, Florida Atlantic University, Florida International University and the University of Central Florida in the amount of $1,382,568 over three years to support ENLACE FLORIDA, it was announced today.
ENLACE (Engaging Latino Communities for Education), a national initiative launched by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation in 1999, weaves together educational partnerships to identify and eliminate the barriers to educational success in higher education for diverse under-represented students. Two previous programs funded by the W. K. Kellogg Foundation at FIU and USF provide a roadmap for improving college readiness, access and success for Latino, first generation, low income and other underrepresented student groups across the state.
" ENLACE FLORIDA takes a comprehensive approach that ties together best practices for expanding access, retention and success while enhancing diversity to create one coherent and effective strategy,” said Sheila McDevitt, vice chair of the Board of Governors and chair of the Governor’s Commission on Access and Diversity. “We will use these tools to clear out roadblocks that hinder student preparedness.”
In the past five years, over 100,000 Latino and other students across the country have participated in ENLACE, demonstrating the value of programs designed to address the particular needs and interests of under-represented populations in Florida and the United States.
"This collaboration will make a difference for many young Floridians of many backgrounds,” said Chancellor Mark Rosenberg. “It will help open the door to a college education for students who might not otherwise get the opportunity to pursue a degree."
The partnerships and programs developed in Miami and Tampa will serve as models for ENLACE FLORIDA, which is designed to promote meaningful and sustainable policy change and development by forming a network of universities, community colleges, school districts, community organizations, non-profit organizations, educators, students and parents. The Miami and Tampa regional clusters will be strengthened and new partnerships will be developed around FAU and UCF. This expanded network will develop and implement solutions to barriers to educational success, examine best practices in Florida and around the country and advocate for policies designed to improve educational achievement for Hispanic students and other under-represented groups in Florida’s K-20 system.
The Florida Board of Governors also has approved a budget request that goes before the state legislature in 2007, intended to broaden the scope of the ENLACE FLORIDA initiative to include all underrepresented groups and expand the network to all state universities and their future partners. A joint leadership team includes Paul Dosal (USF), Gloria Laureano (UCF), Donna Parrino (USF), Nancy Poulson (FAU), Lidia Tuttle (FIU) and Wilcox. The ENLACE FLORIDA leadership team will be working with the National Council for Community and Education Partnerships (NCCEP) and community partners to strengthen each of the four charter, regional clusters and to begin to shape the statewide network.
“ENLACE FLORIDA will transform the lives of low-income students and families and contribute to the well-being of Florida and the nation,” said Dr. Nancy Poulson, FAU’s principal investigator.
- FAU -
Florida Atlantic University opened its doors in 1964 as the fifth public university in Florida. Today, the University serves more than 26,000 undergraduate and graduate students on seven campuses strategically located along 150 miles of Florida's southeastern coastline. Building on its rich tradition as a teaching university, with a world-class faculty, FAU hosts nine colleges: the Dorothy F. Schmidt College of Arts & Letters, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Biomedical Science, the Charles E. Schmidt College of Science, the Christine E. Lynn College of Nursing, the Harriet L. Wilkes Honors College, and the Colleges of Business, Education, Engineering & Computer Science, and Architecture, Urban & Public Affairs.
