In an effort to reach out to Hispanic and Latino applicants, the Admissions Office plans to hold information sessions in Spanish at four Northern Virginia high schools this week. Julie Roa, a native of Colombia and the coordinator for the University's financial aid initiative, Access U.Va., will lead each of the sessions from Monday to Thursday to introduce the University as well as to provide information regarding financial aid. According to Dean of Admissions John Blackburn, Roa will also run a panel discussion by Spanish-speaking alumni, who will share their experiences about applying to the University, explain why they chose U.Va. and describe how they spent their years here.
By conducting information sessions in Spanish, Blackburn hopes to convey to Hispanic and Latino students and their families that the University "is a very welcoming and inclusive community." Blackburn noted that although Hispanic and Latino students may not have an issue with an English presentation, it is often difficult for their parents, who are less familiar with the jargon of college admissions.
"I thought that this was a great opportunity for our Hispanic students to feel that they are being recruited and being thought of by admissions offices," said guidance counselor Nathalie Khattar of Loudon County's Dominion High School, a participant in this week's sessions.
According to Khattar, speaking in the parents' native language is meant to increase their comfort level.
"I am expecting questions to be more numerous and the turnout to be larger because it is in Spanish," Khattar said. "The students and parents are going to get much more out of [the information session] than if we had interpreters."
Khattar added that Dominion High School will be joined by neighboring high schools and community members.
"We are trying to reach out into the community so the program benefits the most students and families possible," she said.
The University will also visit Manassas Park High School in Prince William County, JEB Stuart High School in Fairfax County and Yorktown High School in Arlington, Blackburn explained.
Blackburn said the Admissions Office identified areas with the highest concentrations of Spanish-speaking students, but is willing to consider expanding the program and may even travel outside of the Commonwealth.
"We travel extensively to provide information and to reach students," Blackburn said. "Mostly we are just trying to say 'Come, take a look at U.Va."
Read More
Winsome Earle-Sears talks higher education in first U.Va. event of the campaign
By Ford McCracken | 15 hours agoA Jamaican immigrant and a U.S. Marine Corps veteran, Earle-Sears is the first female lieutenant governor of Virginia,
U.Va.'s Earth Day Eco-Fair 2025 spotlights sustainability advocacy
By Leigh Bailey | 16 hours agoStudents from Contracted Independent Organizations and University Office of Sustainability leadership programs each shared their unique perspectives about sustainability advocacy on Grounds.
Student Council votes to relocate Hereford orchard and basketball hoop
By Lauren Seeliger | YesterdayStudent Council passed a resolution Tuesday to relocate the orchard and basketball hoop of Hereford Residential College due to construction in the surrounding area.
