Marco Davis, deputy director of the White House Initiative on Educational Excellence for Hispanics, will address the University of Central Florida's Hispanic Heritage Month Kickoff Luncheon Monday at the university's main campus in Orlando, Florida.
More than 300 people are expected for the event, including administrators, faculty, staff and college students. About 20 percent of UCF's 60,000 students are of Hispanic heritage. Davis will discuss the key activities of the White House initiative, which aims to increase educational opportunities, improve educational outcomes and support postsecondary completion for the Hispanic community.
To help promote college graduation, the initiative published the ¡Gradúate! Financial Aid Guide to Success. The guide offers recommended steps for college enrollment, helpful tips on filling out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) and financial aid resources available to better support Hispanics in their efforts to access postsecondary education.
In addition, the initiative is emphasizing Hispanic teacher recruitment. While Hispanics represent one out of four public school students in the nation, less than 8 percent of America's teachers are Hispanic. The initiative is spotlighting Hispanic teachers throughout Hispanic Heritage Month to demonstrate that while they are underrepresented, numerous Hispanics dedicate themselves to serving their community through the teaching profession.